‘The Crank’ to face Jones for vacant PXC crown

Frank” The Crank” Camacho began his training camp last week to prepare for his title bout against Guam’s Tyrone “Bones” Jones in a Pacific Xtreme Combat event set in Dec. 4 at the University of Guam Fieldhouse in Mangilao.

Frank “The Crank” Camacho, right, is declared the winner by referee Alverick Alvarez, center, following his first-round stoppage of Yasuaki Miura of Zendokai Nagano in Rites of Passage 18: Warpath last July 3 at the Royal Taga Hall of the Saipan World Resort. (Jon Perez)

Camacho (16-3 with 12 knockouts) said that it will be an 11-week training camp, which started last Sept. 18 at Synergy Studios in Hagatna, since he will be facing PXC veteran Jones (4-4 with 2 KOs).

“Usually my training camp is just six weeks, but this one is for 11 weeks since I’ll be fighting a tough opponent,” said Camacho.

Camacho and Jones will be fighting for the vacant PXC lightweight division title.

Jones, of Underworld Extreme/Guahan Top Team, has won his last fight against Zengzung Tinian’s Peter Cepeda (1-3) by way of knockout using elbows and punches in PXC 47 last March 13 at the UOG Fieldhouse.

“This will be my first five-round fight, so I’m super excited. I have a huge task in front of me since Jones is known to be a tough opponent,” Camacho told Saipan Tribune. “We are coming in strong with a lot of preparation time.”

Cousins Roman “Boom” Alvarez and Shane “Pikaboo” Alvarez and Vince “The Clinch” Masga are also fighting alongside Camacho as undercards in PXC’s December event.

Camacho said that although he failed to earn the chance of fighting in an Ultimate Fighting Championship event in Korea later this year, his goal of someday cracking MMA’s biggest promotional company remains.

“I won’t be fighting in UFC Korea. The goal is still to get a UFC contract but I have to continue to get more wins under my belt and to be worthy of fighting in the UFC.”

UFC Korea is set on Nov. 28 in Seoul where world No. 13 Thiago “Pitbull” Alves of Brazil facing Benson “Smooth” Henson of the United States in a five-round welterweight bout in the main event.

Camacho also continued to thank all the people, companies, and organizations that helped him with his relief drive for Saipan after it was hit by Typhoon Soudelor.

“It is our duty to help and assist in every way we can. I’m not a rich guy, but was raised to have a huge helping heart. After seeing the situation on Saipan, there is no way I couldn’t not do anything,” added Camacho.

“From the beginning it was not to impress anyone, but to press on everyone to do their part and help when people are in need. To all that did their share, a huge thank you.”