The July 12 edition of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights presented by Corona Extra will feature former interim Super Flyweight titlist Drian “Gintong Kamao” Francisco (24-1-1, 19 KOs) and Chris “The Hitman” Avalos (21-2, 16 KOs) in the 10-round Junior Featherweight main event. Friday’s show from Texas Station Casino in Las Vegas, will air live at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN2 HD.
Main Event:
The Philippines’ Francisco is coming off a fifth-round TKO win over Javier Francisco Gallo.
“I saw Avalos’ video on YouTube and he looks like a tough opponent,” Francisco said. “I’m here in America to get a world title belt. There’s a lot of opportunity here and that’s why I train here.”
California’s Avalos is looking to build momentum following a fourth-round TKO win over Jose Araiza.
“I’ve studied Francisco and see that he relies a lot on his power, and a lot of his power comes from a lot of wide shots,” Avalos said. “What I plan on doing is keeping him on the outside, jab a lot, box him and catch him with combinations down the middle and just be cautious of the overhand right and left hooks.”
Co-Feature:
Friday’s 10-round co-feature will pit undefeated Junior Middleweights Glen “Jersey Boy” Tapia (18-0, 10 KOs) of New Jersey, against Texas’ Abie “The Sun City Warrior” Han (19-0, 12 KOs). Tapia scored an eight-round unanimous decision win over Joseph de los Santos in his last fight, while Han is looking to continue his winning ways following an eight-round unanimous decision win over Brandon Baue.
