MANILA, Philippines -- The end came at the 1:28 mark of the eighth round as Francisco rained punches on the fading Endar, forcing the referee to call a halt to the intense encounter between the promising 112-pounders.
Early in the eighth, Endar, probably sensing that he had to win by stoppage, went on the attack and had Francisco on the retreat as the small but boisterous and appreciative crowd roaring in delight. “A rematch could be underway,” exclaimed Marife Barrera, who heads Blow-By-Blow, the San Miguel Beer-supported weekly boxing program shown at 8:30 p.m. on ONE Sports channel.