Undefeated Filipino prospect Drian Francisco captured the vacant WBA International Super Flyweight title with a resounding 10th round TKO over former world champion Roberto “La Araña” Vasquez of Panama Saturday at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City, Philippines. Francisco started out strong as he overwhelmed Vasquez with quick jabs and looping straights. The Occidental Mindoro native Francisco scored a knockdown with under a minute to go in the fifht round when he hit Vasquez with a left then followed it up with two more right straights. Vasquez survived the round but came back in the six canto as he hit a seemingly fading Francisco with right jabs and left hooks.
By the seventh round Francisco again staggered Vasquez with more awkward blow to the head as the Panamanian retreated to the ropes.
It was evident Francisco was starting to lose more steam but what was more surprising was the inability of Vasquez to throw shots as the Filipino was seemingly defenseless with both of his hands down most of the time.
A combination again dropped Vasquez in the 10th with the Panamanian hitting the canvass face first, forcing referee Ferdie Estrella to stop the fight at exactly 3:00 of the round.
“I felt week because of the long flight from Panama and the bad weather affected our final days of preparations” said Vasquez moments after the fight.
