By Rey Danseco

AFTER several weeks of looking for a formidable opponent, former two-time world champion Roberto “La Araña” Vasquez (27-3, 20KOs) of Panama has answered the call when he accepted the offer to face undefeated Pinoy fighter Drian “Gintong Kamao” Francisco (17-0-1, 13 KOs) for the vacant WBA International super flyweight title on September 6 at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City, Philippines.

Vasquez, a southpaw, took the opportunity to become a champion again with a lucrative $20,000 purse for his first appearance in Asia .

International matchmaker Gabriel “Bebot” Elorde Jr, has sealed the deal after his long negotiations for Francisco’s next opponent, who will be accompanied by two companions with a free round-trip Panama-Manila air tickets plus board and lodging.

Solar Sports and Elmer Anuran of Touch Gloves Promotions of Agoncillo, Batangas will promote the championship fight.

Vasquez took his first world title when he brutally stopped and retired Beibis Mendoza of Colombia with 10th round knockout win for the vacant WBA light flyweight title on April 2005 in Fort Amador, Panama.

The Panamanian star defended the title thrice and then captured his second world championship different weight in December 2006. He edged Japanese Takefumi Sakata in split decision win in Paris, France to win the interim WBA flyweight title.

In their rematch, Sakata dethroned Vasquez with unanimous decision win seven months later in Tokyo, Japan .

He knocked out his next three foes inside three rounds but he suffered a very closed decision loss against Hugo Fidel Cazares of Mexico in his last fight on March 24 before his home crowd.

Francisco earned his lofty status in world ranking of different boxing bodies after he captured the vacant WBO Asia Pacific flyweight title in December 2006 with seventh round technical knockout win against Pichitchok Singmanasak of Thailand and defended it once with first round KO win against another Thai, Wanmeechok Singwancha, in August 2007.

Francisco and Vasquez are both 26 years old. The 5-foot-5 Filipino has an inch height advantage while their reaches are the same at 65 centimeters.

Before Vasquez agreed, negotiators offered Jorge “Travieso” Arce, Hugo Fidel Cazares, Z “The Dream” Gorres, AJ “Bazooka” Banal and Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista to face Francisco.

Other names WBA Executive Secretary Gilberto Jesus Mendoza gave Francisco to choose were Lorenzo Parra (30-2, 18 KOs) and highly rated Jean Piero Perez (14-3-1, 10 KOs) of Venezuela .

Former WBA interim super flyweight champ Rafael “El Torito” Concepcion of Panama was originally picked to fight Francisco but the swine flu scare forced the organizers to move the bout to Sept. 6. Concepcion committed his availability for the new date, but changed his mind after he got an offer to face another Filipino, Nonito Donaire Jr. in a fight that his previous title will be on the line on Aug. 15 in Las Vegas .