Ricardo Nunez said he didn’t fly all the way from his native Panama – approximately 11,000 nautical miles – to Manila to fool around against Drian Francisco.

“I traveled long and hard so I am coming over to win,” said Nunez Wednesday when asked about his 12-round clash at the Ynares Sports Arena on Saturday.

“If I can knock him out early, I won’t hesitate to go for it,” said the ultra-confident Panamanian through interpreter Carlos Costa. “But I can fight 12 rounds as well if I have to.”

The Francisco-Nunez match has been sanctioned by the World Boxing Association (WBA) as a bantamweight title elimination fight with the winner given an outright chance to fight Nabuo Nashiro of Japan.

While Nunez has exuded supreme confidence in returning home with Francisco’s head, the Filipino fighter has vowed to give the visitor a very inhospitable welcome.

“Hindi ako papayag na iiwanan tayo ng mga Panamanian na talunan,” said Francisco, who had earlier vowed to pull the plug on Nunez‘s bid inside six rounds. “Handang-handa ako sa labang ito.”

Nunez, who arrived in the country late last week, will receive instructions from Francisco Arroyo, who is acknowledged as Panama’s premier trainer.

Arroyo said Nunez has what it takes to win both ways.

“Even if it goes the distance, Nunez wins on points,” said Arroyo.

Solar Sports is staging the card billed Young Guns in close coordination with Francisco’s chief handler Elmer Anuran, who has big things lined up for his fighter in the event of a smashing victory.

“A shot at the world title will be next in line for Drian after he wins,” said Anuran.

Anuran and Costa even sealed their own duel by agreeing on a wager of $1,000, something that turned out to be a big hit among those present during the press conference held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Costa had done the same thing a couple of years ago when another Panamanian fighter, Rafael Concepcion, traveled to Cebu and faced AJ Banal. Concepcion won and Costa became richer by $1,000.

Pinit Prayadsab of Thailand was appointed by the WBA as referee for the Francisco-Nunez showdown, while the three judges are Raul Caiz Sr. of the US, Takeshi Shimakawa of Jazpan and Chalerm Prayadsab of Thailand.

The official weigh-in will be held Friday afternoon.