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, ESPN Deportes and WatchESPN. The card is promoted by Top Rank.
Commentators:
Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas will be ringside describing the action for ESPN2 HD, while studio host Todd Grisham (@GrishamESPN) will present all the latest boxing news and highlights. Delvin Rodriguez, will call the fights with Pablo Viruega for ESPN Deportes’ Viernes de Combates (Friday Night Fights), while Leopoldo Gonzalez and Claudia Trejos will anchor the studio. Bilingual reporter Bernardo Osuna (@osunaespn) will present live interviews and reports for both shows.
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.
