Francisco KOs Mexican veteran in first round

FORMER interim super flyweight champ Drian Francisco scored a rousing first-round knockout win over Mexican veteran Jose Carlos Vargas Saturday night at Estadio Hector Espino in Sonora, Mexico.

The pride of Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, and Touch Gloves Boxing Gym in Agoncillo, Batangas, used excellent lateral movement to deck the Mexican firebrand thrice.

Francisco improved his record to 22-1, including 17 knockouts.

‘‘The win was a huge step in his bid to become a world champion,” said sportsman and Francisco’s mentor Elmer Anuran. “Francisco showed the world why he’s dubbed as the ‘‘Golden Fists.’”

Francisco is scheduled to fight Luis Ceja (22-2-3) for the IBF title eliminator in an undercard of the unification fight between Brian Viloria and Tyson Marquez next month in the United States.

Last year, Francisco, a college degree holder, nearly joined the elite list of Filipino world champions but lost the interim title in a controversial setback to Thai fighter Tepparith Kokietgym in Benjamatheputid School, Petchaburi, Thailand.