"GINTONG KAMAO" TO MAKE RING COMEBACK FEB. 18

AFTER more than a year of absence, former interim WBA world super flyweight champion Drian “Gintong Kamao” Francisco (28-4-1, 22KO) will make his ring comeback on February 18 at 4 p.m. at the Makati Square Boxing Arena in Makati City.

The 34-year old native of San Jose, Mindoro Occidental be fighting former IBF Pan Pacific Champion Mateo Handig (13-12) in the main event of the “Engkwentro sa Makati” promoted by Joven Jimenez of Joven Sports Promotions.

In his last fight, Franciso, also a former interim IBF Pan Pacific super bantamweight champion, bowed to WBA Super Worled super bantamweight champion Guillermo Rigondeaux of Cuba by a unanimous decision in their battle for the vacant WBC International Silver Super Bantamweight title

“Handa na akong bumalik sa ring at ipakita na kaya ko pang mag-champion muli,” said Francisco, who was the sparring partner of IBF World super flyweight champion Jerwin “Pretty Boy” Ancajas during his recent first title defense against Jose Alfredo Rodriguez in Cotai Arena, Venetian Resort in Macao.

Meanwhile, London Olympian Mark Anthony “Da Baby Boy” Barriga (3-0) of Panabo City will also be seeing action in the undercard against Jeven Villacite (4-5-4).

The 23-year old Barriga previously won by a 5^th round technical decision against Rodel Kirk Pelenio held December 2 at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex in Cebu.

Referee Tony Pesons stopped the fight in 1:25 of the 5^th round due to a cut on Barriga’s right eyelid caused by an accidental headbutt.

Villacite, on the other hand, won his last fight via a majority decision against Japanese Masazumi Furuwaka on September 30 at the Strike Coliseum in Cavite.