Coming off the worse defeat of his professional career Francisco "El Gato" Figueroa intends on getting back to his winning ways when he takes on the unbeaten Russian Ruslan Provodnikov on the 21st May at the Laredo Entertainment Center in Texas, We caught up with one of TopClassBoxing's favourite fighters, to ask him about his last few fights and boxing in general.

Below is the Interview in Full:

Can you talk us through each of the following fights?

Of course no problem

On the 11th of August 2009 You had a solid victory over the hardened veteran Emmanuel Augustus in a fight which witnessed you take a split decision, how did that fight play out champ and did you train a specific way to deal with the threat?

Training for the Drunken Master was horrible, that fight was all balls for me and if I didn't do alot of running I would of got tired real fast. Like Drunken Master I knew bout the fight about a week before the actual fight!!!

On the 3rd of April 2009 you suffered a bad knockout loss to the hard hitting Randall Bailey, Can you talk us through the fight and what went wrong on fight night?

Yes camp went really well, I felt strong and super confident. I pressured Bailey straight up and I didn't do any of my movements that I'm known for. Also I didn't respect Bailey's power.

This was of course your first knockout loss. Did it affect you in anyway?, the reason I ask this is because I have talked to fighters in the past who have said that they had become better fighters since their first knockout defeat because it served as a good wakeup call!!

It bothered me for 2 month, it was a televised event but as time went on along with sparring I realize he has that elite power that very very few people have, I'm no bum he got me with a great shot and that was that but I Can't Stop, Won't Stop Team Gato Baby!!!

On 4th November 2009 you went up in weight to face Rashad Holloway and came out with a Draw, Can you also talk us through that fight?

Against Rashad Holloway man I got a tough break on that, everyone including the telecast felt I won but officially I got a draw!!!

You are down to face the unbeaten Russian Ruslan Provodnikov in your next bout, What do you know of him champ? and have you managed to see any of his previous fight's on tape?

I just know he's a pressure fighter that loves going to the body and has good power, he hasn't lost, until he fights me!!!

I know that it may be a little early to talk about your preparations for the fight but what kind of training will you employ to deal with the threat of Provodnikov?

I've been working on my boxing conditioning, it's set for 10rds for the NABA & WBO Asia Pacific title putting me TOP 5 In the IBF & WBO bracket. So I've been training before I got the notifications to fight so I will be more than ready!!!

For Miguel’s match up with the Pound 4 Pound king Manny Pacquiao you were hired to give Cotto some good quality sparring but was later dismissed. Afterwards there were different rumours flying about but can you set the record straight and tell us exactly what happened?

I am a preparation partner, I don't have sparring mentality and the work I was giving him was intense (point blank) so you can do the math

I noticed in some Interviews you have talked about the Fitness Program’s you run; can you tell our readers more about that?

Yes it's a fitness program I put together, it's a boxing and exercise program that works all parts of your body, especially cardio and it's one of those "god damn Gato that was tough but I love it" lol people have a love/hate relationship with me lol. I motivate & push them beyond expectations. My company is called Team Gato 12rds of Fitness "Pushing you beyond your expectations"

I noticed that you were talking about having hand surgery, How did that go and how as it healed / healing?

Hand Surgery went great, I have been using my hand very well, my first tryout on my hand was when I was called to spar Former World Champ Juan Urango. At first I really wasn't throwing it as much but towards the mid-way of camp I got confident and started launching it. It feel even better as the time has gone on.

You are obviously an amazingly talented fighter so what does the future hold for El Gato?

To be honest I don't know what boxing will bring inside the sport of boxing except that as long as I'm in the ring excitement will be present. One thing I do know outside the ring I can be an advisor, motivator and a trainer.

Thank you for your time champ, you are a fighter who has captured the attention here in the UK and are a really good friend of ours here at TopClassBoxing, I would like to wish you all the luck for the future and hopefully another victory under your belt against Ruslan Provodnikov.