Name: Francisco "El Gato" Figueroa Nationality: Puerto Rican Weight Class: Light Welterweight Record (At time of Interview): 20-2-0 |
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TOPCLASSBOXING: First things first champ thanks for taking time out to talk to us at TopClassBoxing Could you tell us how preparation is going for your upcoming fight with Randall Bailey on the 4th April. Has Buddy been teaching you any new tricks or is it just a case of improving what you already do currently? EL GATO Preparations is amazing i'm in shape and i'm thinking about dieting, training, running and doing everything to the T. I'm not currently with Buddy McGirt I actually went back to the Trainer I had before Eggie Maritnez TOPCLASSBOXING: Sack the researcher. How could I not know you had a new trainer LOL In your last fight you decisioned the tough Emanuel Augustus over eight rounds, could you talk us through that fight and what differences did Emanuel bring to the table that many previous fighters hadn't? EL GATO Yes of course Augustus was a guy like me, we both like to throw punches and now I see why people have a hard time with me cause as I was throwing punches and so was he so it was hard to set him up TOPCLASSBOXING: What do you think of Randall Bailey as a fighter? EL GATO I think he's a good / great fighter who can still throw TOPCLASSBOXING: Your fight with Randall on the 4th April will give you the chance to show the world what "El Gato" is all about, how do you see the fight going? Stoppage, Knock out or decision? EL GATO I'm going for a stoppage but will be ready for 12 and yea i'm workmen so lets get ready to rumble TOPCLASSBOXING: What do you believe the key will be to beating Randall, Hand speed, combinations, punch power? EL GATO I don't think like that i have a lil of all but what separates me from other fighters is my ability to play chess and my strong mentality TOPCLASSBOXING: If you overcome Randall, you have the chance to fight current IBF champion Juan Urango which will put you towards the top of the light welterweight tree. Is this your ultimate goal to be world champion in the Light welterweight division for years to come or do you see yourself in the future going up in weight?? EL GATO First off no if i beat bailey but when i beat bailey. I play to fight urango if politics plays it right. after I plan to move up TOPCLASSBOXING: During some Expos I've seen you in, you seem to drop your hands using your reflexes as your defense against sparring partners etc. Are you exercising your abilities in the ring or is it just for kicks? EL GATO lolol its cause i'm heavy and i'm trying to give good work and lore them in (I don't feel like chasing them lolol) but when I'm in shape it comes out something but not really lolol TOPCLASSBOXING: You have signed a contract to be promoted by Roy Jones's Square Ring Promotions, What did they as a promotional company bring to the table that others didn't? EL GATO They were able to get me out of my previous contract and being with them i will fight on PPV for the IBF eliminator TOPCLASSBOXING: Amir Khan seems to be the fighter everyone is queuing up to praise at the moment due to his win last Saturday against Marco Antonio Barrera. What did you think of the fight and the fact that his promoter Frank Warren wants to put him in with Juan Manuel Marquez so early in his career? EL GATO I didn't see the fight and I don't even think about amir khan at all TOPCLASSBOXING: On leaving is there anything you want to say to the readers of Topclassboxing and the fight fans in the UK? EL GATO To my fans Ii wanna say thank you and simply they know the motto: |
