BALWEG GOES FOR IT

SHOWING signs that he’s ready for the fight of his life, Balweg Bangoyan displayed some swagger of his own on the eve of his first ever title crack at a world boxing championship.

Bangoyan playfully placed his left fist on the chin of reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) super-bantamweight champion Toshiaki Nishioka of Japan shortly after the official weigh-in Thursday for their 12-round championship bout.

Nishioka, defending his belt for the third time, flashed a grin on his face when Bangoyan did his act just after the customary face-off between the two fighters, a move that surprised, but nonetheless, elated the small Filipino contingent present in Tokyo, Japan headed by Bangoyan’s handler Zander Khan and matchmaker Wakee Salud.

“That’s a very good sign,” Khan later said.

The fight is set Friday at the Nihon Budokan right at the center of the Japanese capital.

Both Bangoyan and Nishioka came in at the exact weight limit of 122 pounds.

“Mukhang takot siya sa akin,” said the Filipino challenger, 23, who hails from Davao del Sur and owns a ring record of 15-0 with 6 KOs.

Fighting his first bout outside of the country, Bangoyan will be receiving a fight purse of $20,000.

The 33-year old champion (35-4, 22 KOs) won the WBC super-bantamweight belt last year in Japan with a 12-round technical knockout of Mexican Genaro Garcia.

He is coming off a successful title defense against Ivan Hernandez last October.

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WHO R U PICKING?

BOXING superstar Manny Pacquiao won’t only be an interested spectator but would personally analyze the welterweight showdown between potential future opponents Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Sugar Shane Mosley set this weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada.


The 30-year- old Pacquiao has been tapped by Solar TV and Solar Sports as color commentator for the explosive 12-round fight dubbed `Who R U Picking’ together with veteran boxing annotators Quinito Henson and Chino Trinidad at the New World Renaissance Hotel.

Vito Lazatin, marketing manager of Solar TV and Solar Sports, said the seven-time world champion is taking off from his hectic campaign sortie in Sarangani to watch the match featuring two of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world.

“Manny will be flying here in Manila on Sunday just to do the analysis for our main event featuring Sugar Shane Mosley and Floyd Mayweather Jr,” Lazatin announced during an intimate press briefing Tuesday afternoon at the Renaissance Hotel.

The Solar Sports official stressed the curiosity of many surrounding the fight as the winner is Pacquiao’s likely foe in his next bout.

Pacquiao has been vocal about his choice of Mosley administering Mayweather his first professional loss.

Owing to the significance of the bout, Solar TV and Solar Sports have also come out with its own `Who R U Picking’ survey, and based on the latest poll taken, fans are leaning towards a probable Mayweather victory.

“At least the survey shows a 55-45 chance for Mayweather to pull this one off,” Lazatin said. “Initially, Mosley led the poll in the early stage, but Mayweather has caught up with him finally, and is now the top choice of boxing fans.”

As part of its promotion, Solar Sports and Solar TV are giving away two sets of boxing gloves signed by Pacquiao himself plus t-shirts to the lucky fans who will rightfully pick the winner of the Mayweather-Mosley fight.

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GINTONG KAMAO

DRIAN Francisco moved a step closer to a dream world championship following a fifth round technical knockout of Panamanian Ricardo Nunez Saturday night in their title eliminator match at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

The end came when the 27-year old Francisco rocked Nunez with a big left, and then followed it up with a barrage of punches that knocked the Panamanian flat on his back.

Official time was 2:52 of the fifth round.

“Hindi ko ini-expect na mapapabagsak ko siya, pero napakatibay din, “ said the unbeaten Filipino super-flyweight, now 19-0 with 15 KOs.

The impressive win by the native of Sablayan, Mindoro Occidental lined him up for a possible shot at the World Boxing Association (WBA) title currently held by Nobuo Nashiro of Japan.

Portent of things to come were evident the moment Francisco, nicknamed `Gintong Kamao’, wobbled and floored Nunez with a left in the opening seconds of the first round.

Nunez, 22, however, shook off the effect of the knockout and was back on his feet a few seconds later.

Yet, he was back in the canvass again a few moments afterward, and was lucky enough to survive the round and the onslaught of the hard-hitting Filipino.

Then early in the fifth, a Francisco left sent Nunez reeling again. Although the Panamanian was able to beat the 10-count once more, the Filipino eagerly swarmed all over him for the finishing touches to a dominant performance.

“Sana nga,” was Francisco’s curt reply when asked if a world title fight is in store for him next.

Nunez suffered his second loss in 19 fights, 18 of which he won by knockout.

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READY FOR THE BIG FIGHT

DRIAN `Gintong Kamao’ Francisco declares himself ready for the biggest fight of his young career when he climbs the ring Saturday night against Ricardo Nunez of Panama in their World Boxing Association (WBA) super-flyweight eliminator bout.


“Pinag-handaan talaga natin ito,” said the unbeaten 26-year old Filipino rising ring prospect on the eve of the 12-round bout at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Francisco, from Sablayan, Mindoro Occidental, carries a record of 18-0, with 14 KOs, and a win over his 22-year old opponent from Panama City moves him closer to achieving his goal of becoming the next world champion from this side of the world.

“A shot at the world title will be next for Drian if ever he wins,” according to his manager Elmer Anuran.

Nobuo Nashiro of Japan is currently the reigning WBA super-flyweight title holder.

But just as willing and eager for a shot at the 115-pound title belt is Nunez, owner of an impressive 17-1 record, including 15 KOs.

“I come over to win,” said the Panamanian.

Both fighters appeared fit for the fight as they tipped the scale at 115 each during the official weigh-in held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Friday.

The judges for the fight are Raul Caiz Sr. of the U.S., Takeshi Shimakawa of Japan and Chalern Prayadsab of Thailand.

Third man in the ring is Thai Pinit Prayadsab.

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SHOW OF CONFIDENCE

Face-off: Nunez vs. Francisco


By Gerry Ramos


THE camps of unbeaten Filipino prospect Drian Francisco and Panamanian Ricardo Nunez each expressed confidence of a victory Saturday night in their title World Boxing Association (WBA) eliminator match that both agreed to put a wager on the table.


The bet -- $1,000, winner takes all.

Staking his money for a Nunez win is long-time Panamanian boxing supporter Carlos Costa, whose dare to place a side bet for the 12-round fight at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City added color to Wednesday’s formal press conference at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Ortigas.

“I don’t usually bet on fight, and when I do, I don’t bet a lot not unless I am one hundred percent sure that the fighter I bet on will win,” said Costa, who will serve as a second in Nunez’s and acted as interpreter of the 22-year old Panamanian.

“I am sure Ricardo Nunez will win. I will bet $1,000 on him.”

Elmer Anuran, the soft-spoken manager of Francisco, gamely called it.

“Siyempre, hundred percent din tayong sure na mananalo si Drian. Based sa mga past fights ni Nunez, I believe, technically, mas magaling si Drian sa kanya,” said Anuran, head of Saved By The Bell promotions.

Not one to disappoint, both fighters also vow to go for a win and the right to face reigning WBA super-flyweight champion Nobuo Nashiro of Japan.

Francisco, 26, and with a perfect record of 18-0, with 14 KOs, said he’s been preparing for the fight the last three months and is ready to go the distance with his Panamanian opponent.

“Kung sigurado silang mananalo, sigurado ring akong mananalo,” said Francisco, who said he’s going to end the fight inside the first six rounds should the opportunity presents itself.

But Nunez’s corner was bolder in its prediction.

“We will win by knockout,” said Nunez’s trainer Francisco Arroyo, recalling the same thing that happened when Rafael Concepcion, also of Panama, stunned AJ Banal in Cebu City two years ago.

“Last time I was here with El Torito (Rafael Concepcion), not many people gave him a chance to win. But we came here to win and that’s what we did (against Banal). Now I’m back and I’m here to win,” Arroyo stressed.

A self-confessed fan of Filipino boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao, Nunez, a computer science graduate, carries an impressive record of 17-1, including 15 KOS. He is currently ranked no. 2 by the WBA and no. 1 by the World Boxing Council (WBC) and coming off fresh from a third round stoppage of Nicaraguan Juan Centeno last November.

Francisco, one among the rare Filipino boxer who has a college degree, is ranked third by the WBA following his 10th round knockout win over former champion Roberto Vasquez, also of Panama, six months ago.

The three judges working the fight are Paul Caiz, Takeshi Shimakawa and Chalerm Prayadsad. Third man in the ring is Pinit Pradsayab.

Official weigh-in is set tomorrow afternoon also at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

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OVER IN SIX?

DRIAN `GINTONG KAMAO' FRANCISCO


DRIAN "Gintong Kamao" Francisco said yesterday he'll try to finish off Ricardo "El Matematico" Nunez inside six rounds when they collide in a WBA superflyweight eliminator on Saturday at the Ynares Gym in Pasig.


"Sisikapin ko na matapos ng six rounds," said the 27-year-old Filipino, undefeated in 18 professional fights.

Francisco, who said he sparred 200 rounds in training, said he will use his speed in the fight that could give him a shot at the WBA crown being held by Japan's Nobuo Nashira or the WBC title of Vic Darchinyan.

Nashira is set to defend his crown against Hugo Cazares in Osaka on May 8, and the Japanese camp, according to Anuran, has expressed interest fighting Francisco, who is determined to get a crack at the world title.

His manager, Elmer Anuran said Darchinyan, who is awaiting a rematch with Nonito Donaire Jr., is also planning to move up to the 118 lb division, and should he vacate the crown, Francisco can go for it as long as he gets past Nunez.

"There are opportunities out there for Drian," said Anuran.

Francisco, however, said he would rather focus on Nunez first before he thinks of fighting someone else. He said Nunez is no piece of cake, and based on what he knows of his opponent, he thinks he'll be in for a tough fight.

"I know he's strong and tough," said Francisco in Filipino. "We don't have as many tapes of his previous fights, including his latest fights, although I think he's a little slow. Maybe I can use my speed against him."

The fight being presented by Solar Sports could give Francisco the break he needs. But Nunez, who arrived in Manila last Friday, will definitely give him a good run for his money, being the No. 1 ranked in the WBC and No. 2 in the WBA.

"But with the kind of training I had for this fight, I'm confident of a victory. I will try to finish it in six rounds but I'm also ready to last the distance," said Francisco, who took the WBA International superflyweight title by beating Roberto Vasquez last October.

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RP PUGS SETTLE FOR SILVERS

TWO Thai bets foiled the gold medal bids of the three-man Philippine boxing team, which settled for a pair of bronze medals at the conclusion of its campaign in the tough 32nd Kings Cup in Thailand.


Flyweight Victorio Saludar and light flyweight Crisanto Godaren both lost their semifinal bouts against to two Thai fighters, while the third Filipino boxer, Jhergigs Chavez failed to advance in the Final Four when he lost in the quarterfinals against Jo-min Jae of Korea, 4-3.

Saludar bowed against Amnat Ruengroeng following a count back in their flyweight match up, 11-10. The score was tied at 3-3 after four rounds, resulting in the count back of the scores.

Ruengroeng was a quarterfinalist in both the 2009 World Boxing Championship in Milan, Italy and the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Also unfortunate was Godaren, who lost via referee-stopped contest when he failed to stand after being counted out by the referee.

But Godaren went down following what was an obvious low blow by his Thai opponent in the last minute of the third round.

“It was very clear that a low blow hit our boxer, but the Hungarian ref saw it otherwise,” admitted head of delegation and Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) vice president Manny Lopez.

Prongprayoon happens to be the same boxer who beat Harry Tañamor in the Laos Southeast Asian Games last December.

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ALBANIA TRAINS FOR ASIAD

ASIAN Games-bound and PSA awardee Annie Albania, left, flails away at the bag in the PSC-Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines facility at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex as ABAP executive director Ed Picson supervises. Six RP women boxers are leaving for Beijing to train next week before flying to Kazakhstan in May to compete in the ASBC World Championship.

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