TopClass Interview with Francisco "The Wizard" Palacios!!!

Some of you may not have heard anything about Francisco so far in his career but I guarantee within the next year or so he will be the talk of the Cruiserweight division. Francisco made the solemn promise to his now deceased brother that he would one day win a world title for him which is a promise he will do anything to uphold

Since that promise was made Francisco has been a man on a mission and known in the ring as the Wizard, He is currently in the process of casting spells over the division which is leaving his opponents with no answers to the man's magic.

Francisco is blessed with a warriors instinct that were taught to him on the rough streets of Puerto Rico, here is where he learnt his craft and perfected his style accordingly for the amateur and professional ranks.

He is moving up the ranks with rapid progress and at the time of writing owns a professional record of 19 wins 0 losses and 0 Draws with 12 of them wins coming by way of knockout.

We at TopClassBoxing are always on the lookout to talk to future world champions and this was no different. Francisco is a wonderfully skilled fighter who we predict will be only a matter of time before he is drapped with a world title.

We had the good fortune of talking to Francisco last week and as a result secured this great Interview, which we hope you too will enjoy.

Let me start by asking you, how you started in the sport and what attracted you to the sport in the first place?

Well i've been a fighter in the streets since i was a kid, my brother was the one that made me this way to defend myself, he used to make me fight his friends that were 8 yrs older then me... I use to play basketball and when i hurt my ankle in 1996 i gained lots of weight... I went to the gym in 2000 to lose weight and I spared a guy who was running his mouth that had 20 amateur fights and I told him to give me 2 weeks and I would get in there with you... i did and I knocked him out in the 2nd round.

So when you were a young fighter just starting in the sport who was the person you looked up to for guidance in the sport?

My older brother, he was a fighter himself, may God rest his soul... He always had confident in me that i would be the next world champ, I promised him wen i buried him that I was going to be a world champ and i will be

I have talked to many fighters in the past who have commented on their emotions before their first fight saying they felt afraid or excited or nervous, when you stepped through the ropes for the first time Francisco what was your felling and can you also tell me how that particular fight played out?

Well I'm not going to sit here and say that I didnt feel a little anxious and for all my fights I feel the same way but it keeps me focus... and in my first fight I won it in the 1st round

In this time was there a particular fighter that you had a rivalry with? How long did you participate in the amateur ranks and along the way which titles / medals / trophies did you earn throughout this time?

Not yet I have had people run there mouth in the past but I do my talking in the ring and i always go in there to have fun.

I was in the amateurs for four years and was always in the top 2.. I won a silver medal at a multi international tournament in ireland, plus I participated in 2 world championships, I was awarded a scholarship for the U.S.O.E.C Olympic shcool

On leaving the amateur ranks could you please tell us what your amateur record read?

What would you say to our younger readers who are looking to join the amateur ranks, is there any advice you could give them champ?

The only advise that i could give them is to take this sport serious because its dangerous... train hard and never get down on themselves.. Pray to God to always guide you through tough situations

For fight fans that have yet to see you fight could you please describe your fighting style and can you also tell them what you claim is your best punch?

I am a very versatile fighter, I can adapt to any style... I'm a boxer puncher... and my best punch would be anyone which I catch you with ... hahahaha

Our next question is about training, could you please give us an insight on where you train and describe the gym in which you train at?

I train in Orlando Florida, Im a Puerto Rican fighter but if i was to train in P.R. i wouldnt be able to concentrate that much because there are lot's of distractions... The gym where I train at is a a very good one i Love it... its called Legacy Fitness... 745 ornage ave in winter park.

What other professionals do you train with champ? Could you please describe a typical days training on the run up to a big fight and could you also tell us what kind of foods you eat to stay underweight?

My training regime consists of: I run 5 miles and Spar on Monday,Wednesday and Friday, I do Circuit training on Tuesday and Thursday and I do take Saturday and Sunday off.

I read that you were also training in the martial art of Jiu Jitsu, do you still continue training in this discipline and if so would you ever consider taking part in MMA?

I did it for a while but it wasnt really my thing to grapple... i would if i ever had a chance, If it's got anything to do with fighting I'm in there

When you made your debut as a professional can you remember what the big difference between the amateur and professional ranks were and what adaptation did you have to make?

It didnt seem too different just a little different because there was no head gear and there was smaller gloves... I liked it straight away.

You currently hold an impressive record of 19 wins without a loss, throughout this time which one of your wins are you most proud of and why

All of my wins are special because one win takes me closer to my dream of being the best...

Zack Page... he was a rugged, awkward fighter and I took the fight on two week's notice

In your last fight you flew to Nuremburg in Germany which witnessed you defeat Deleon Tinsley can you take us through the fight and let the readers know how the fight played out?

Who in your opinion is the number one fighter within the cruiserweight division, do you think it’s Zsolt Erdei, Guillermo Jones, Steve Cunningham, Marco Huck or someone els?

I dont think I am the best, I know I am... But if i had to choose another it would be between Guillermo Jones and Steve cunningham... the thing is Jones has not fought in two years

Whenever I do my interviews I like to ask a fighter to give a brief description on a set of fighters from their weight class, if this is okay Francisco, can you give your opinion on each of the following?

Steve Cunningham - Cunninham is a Great fighter, Good boxer who I have lots of respect for because he dont back down from anyone

Guillermo Jones - I think he has a lot left even though he is a little up there in age, The inactivity could hurt him, but again I have lots of respect and he is a fighter with great skill

Yoan Pablo Hernandez - Good amateur, Tall, I have not really seen him fight but i didnt he got stopped by braithwaite?

Floyd’s one sided victory over Shane Mosely had many websites putting him back to the number one spot, do you agree with this or do you still believe Manny is the number one pound 4 pound fighter?

Floyd hand's down is the best... dont really like Manny that much... Great fighter though, lost too much money betting against him... hahahaha

Pacquiao’s trainer Freddy Roach has told various boxing sites of his belief that the Mayweather v Pacquiao fight will be wrapped up in the next few weeks and should take place in either October or November, In your opinion is this a fight that needs to happen and if both men do sign the contract, who do you think would win this matchup?

I think it should happen, I also think that all the olympic style drug testing should go all the way to the fight just like Mosley took it to the week of the fight... Floyd will win this fight Manny makes too many mistakes

The future looks very bright for you champ, So what can we expect from the Wizard for the rest of 2010?

Well I have been in the lab working on more recepies for the my opponents... they should expect the same but a more stronger, Faster and better all around fighter...

On leaving is there anything you would like to say to the fight fans around the world?

I want say thank you God almighty for giving me health and the drive to keep doing this everyday, my family for always being there for me in good and bad, my friends for keeping me focused and encouraging me always, my team Josue Aguilar and Gil Maldonado my trainer for teaching me and guiding me in all this wait and process to make it happen... my fans without ya i cant do this... to You for giving me the chance to express myself on ur page... to all the haters out there for doubting me n giving me the xtra drive to prove all ya wrong... Thank u every1 expect more magic, its always Wizard Time... this yr I will be a champion if the opportunity is given to me

If you are involved in boxing in some way and have an interest in doing an Interview with us at TopClassBoxing. Please email me your name and email address to Paul@TopClassBoxing.co.uk.