Frankie “El Gato” Figueroa Interview
Interview By Pj De Best
http://www.boxingrepublic.com/
Recently I was able to catch up with one of New York's finest individuals, both in the square ring and in life, Mr Francisco 'El Gato' Figueroa. Over the past few years 'El Gato' has risen through the Jr Welterweight ranks and is now knocking on the door to a world title shot.
(PJ) Hey Francisco my man what's up, how did you get the nickname 'El Gato'?
(Gato) My first month of my boxing career (laughing out loud), we had a home cat at the gym and it would run across the ring when people would spar. So it would come across when I sparred; one day as I was sparring, I can see the cat from the corner of my eye getting ready to run across the ring and when it did during sparring, I caught the cat with my gloves (laughing out loud).
(PJ) How's your training regime coming along?
(Gato) Its great man, right now my manager got me in Boston at a place called Mike Boyle's Strength & Conditioning, working the core fundamentals of my body and found out my shins up and glutes where horrible.
(PJ) You're known as a fan friendly fighter and each day your fan base continues to grow. How do you stay on top of everything in your career and manage to find the time to answer the fan club emails, run you website - www.teamgato.com, and meet up with people as often as you do?
(Gato) Well thanks to technology I have my blackberry and I receive emails all the time, along with texting and internet sites such as facebook or myspace my fans no I answer emails rapidly. I train 3 times out of the day & the rest I'm talking to & relating to fans, oh also motivating them "like a life coach", I love counseling and when fights approach I just don't answer them but they truly understand why. As far as meeting them, I send out mass emails to where I'm located and if they decide to come by, hey they have the opportunity to meet me and maybe if I'm free we'll hangout. I love socializing many people will tell you that (laughing).
(PJ) What inspired you to become a professional boxer?
(Gato) Um nothing, I'm a competitor, I was watching the Tito Trinidad vs De La Hoya fight and was telling myself I'm faster & stronger and I'm not scared to get hit, shoot I'm a beast.
(PJ) What's TEAM GATO'S pre fight feeling?
(Gato) Like judge Mills use to say, "Let's get it on", no nervousness, no butterflies, none of that, more like how come they not calling me, this is taking too long.
(PJ) Who is the next victim of 'El Gato'?
(Gato) Randall Bailey, great fighter and a hell of a win.
(PJ) Is this the year that we see 'El Gato' become a world champion?
(Gato) This year is it baby, the cat is out the bag...!!!
(PJ) You recently signed on with Roy Jones Jr's Square Ring promotions, how's that all working out for you?
(Gato) So far so good, I take boxing as a per fight basis and for the last fight, it was rocky in the sense of the opposition, but being on t.v. paid out and I got paid a little more so that's two advantages to one so yup so far its been good.
(PJ) You've got 20 wins, 2 losses with 13 knockouts under your belt. Out of all of your bouts, which opponent has given you the most trouble and why?
(Gato) Emmanuel Augustus because his defense is throwing back. When your trying to setup he's throwing at you. When your not throwing he's still throwing, damn it stop throwing punches Drunken Master (laughing out). He's a tough cookie and a tester for all potential up & comers and shoot even world champions.
(PJ) The Jr Welterweight division is full of talented boxers. Fighters such as yourself, Hatton, Bradley, Malignaggi, Witter, Ortiz, Urango, Holt, Torres, Ngoudjo and now Pacquiao bring a hot division together with the opportunity of plenty of big fights. Which fight are you the hungriest for?
(Gato) Right now it'll be for Juan Urango... After him then whoever has the most money. I traveled a long way through obstacles and setback but as the fans of Team Gato we have a saying... Can't Stop, Won't Stop, Team Gato Baby!!!
(PJ) If you could be anything else in life, what would you be?
(Gato) An R&B singer/dancer, I can hold a note/tone, but after my world title I will hire a vocal coach & no I'm not doing a De La Hoya (laughing).
(PJ) Any parting words for your fans out there?
(Gato) To the fans of Team Gato throughout the World, let's be more than average. Let's be successful in life and as parents, remember there are books for everything, let your pride down so your can refresh it to be a better you.
Can't Stop, Won't Stop
Team Gato Baby!!!
"Not a saying but a movement"...
(PJ) Alright my man, thank you for taking the time to talk to us at BoxingRepublic.com. Good luck with the upcoming fight and good luck with your future plans.
(Gato) No good luck needed, I train too hard for luck, I just go out there and get the job done no matter how it happens.... Alright PJ, thank you so much for this opportunity, love your questions man!!!
http://www.boxingrepublic.com/
Recently I was able to catch up with one of New York's finest individuals, both in the square ring and in life, Mr Francisco 'El Gato' Figueroa. Over the past few years 'El Gato' has risen through the Jr Welterweight ranks and is now knocking on the door to a world title shot.
(PJ) Hey Francisco my man what's up, how did you get the nickname 'El Gato'?
(Gato) My first month of my boxing career (laughing out loud), we had a home cat at the gym and it would run across the ring when people would spar. So it would come across when I sparred; one day as I was sparring, I can see the cat from the corner of my eye getting ready to run across the ring and when it did during sparring, I caught the cat with my gloves (laughing out loud).
(PJ) How's your training regime coming along?
(Gato) Its great man, right now my manager got me in Boston at a place called Mike Boyle's Strength & Conditioning, working the core fundamentals of my body and found out my shins up and glutes where horrible.
(PJ) You're known as a fan friendly fighter and each day your fan base continues to grow. How do you stay on top of everything in your career and manage to find the time to answer the fan club emails, run you website - www.teamgato.com, and meet up with people as often as you do?
(Gato) Well thanks to technology I have my blackberry and I receive emails all the time, along with texting and internet sites such as facebook or myspace my fans no I answer emails rapidly. I train 3 times out of the day & the rest I'm talking to & relating to fans, oh also motivating them "like a life coach", I love counseling and when fights approach I just don't answer them but they truly understand why. As far as meeting them, I send out mass emails to where I'm located and if they decide to come by, hey they have the opportunity to meet me and maybe if I'm free we'll hangout. I love socializing many people will tell you that (laughing).
(PJ) What inspired you to become a professional boxer?
(Gato) Um nothing, I'm a competitor, I was watching the Tito Trinidad vs De La Hoya fight and was telling myself I'm faster & stronger and I'm not scared to get hit, shoot I'm a beast.
(PJ) What's TEAM GATO'S pre fight feeling?
(Gato) Like judge Mills use to say, "Let's get it on", no nervousness, no butterflies, none of that, more like how come they not calling me, this is taking too long.
(PJ) Who is the next victim of 'El Gato'?
(Gato) Randall Bailey, great fighter and a hell of a win.
(PJ) Is this the year that we see 'El Gato' become a world champion?
(Gato) This year is it baby, the cat is out the bag...!!!
(PJ) You recently signed on with Roy Jones Jr's Square Ring promotions, how's that all working out for you?
(Gato) So far so good, I take boxing as a per fight basis and for the last fight, it was rocky in the sense of the opposition, but being on t.v. paid out and I got paid a little more so that's two advantages to one so yup so far its been good.
(PJ) You've got 20 wins, 2 losses with 13 knockouts under your belt. Out of all of your bouts, which opponent has given you the most trouble and why?
(Gato) Emmanuel Augustus because his defense is throwing back. When your trying to setup he's throwing at you. When your not throwing he's still throwing, damn it stop throwing punches Drunken Master (laughing out). He's a tough cookie and a tester for all potential up & comers and shoot even world champions.
(PJ) The Jr Welterweight division is full of talented boxers. Fighters such as yourself, Hatton, Bradley, Malignaggi, Witter, Ortiz, Urango, Holt, Torres, Ngoudjo and now Pacquiao bring a hot division together with the opportunity of plenty of big fights. Which fight are you the hungriest for?
(Gato) Right now it'll be for Juan Urango... After him then whoever has the most money. I traveled a long way through obstacles and setback but as the fans of Team Gato we have a saying... Can't Stop, Won't Stop, Team Gato Baby!!!
(PJ) If you could be anything else in life, what would you be?
(Gato) An R&B singer/dancer, I can hold a note/tone, but after my world title I will hire a vocal coach & no I'm not doing a De La Hoya (laughing).
(PJ) Any parting words for your fans out there?
(Gato) To the fans of Team Gato throughout the World, let's be more than average. Let's be successful in life and as parents, remember there are books for everything, let your pride down so your can refresh it to be a better you.
Can't Stop, Won't Stop
Team Gato Baby!!!
"Not a saying but a movement"...
(PJ) Alright my man, thank you for taking the time to talk to us at BoxingRepublic.com. Good luck with the upcoming fight and good luck with your future plans.
(Gato) No good luck needed, I train too hard for luck, I just go out there and get the job done no matter how it happens.... Alright PJ, thank you so much for this opportunity, love your questions man!!!
Comment
-
Comment by Pj De Best on February 13, 2009 at 6:00pm - Yeah he's a pretty easy going guy. I wish him all the best...
-
Comment by Javiel Centeno on February 13, 2009 at 8:10am - Nice interview...Gato is always so positive. I guess that's what makes him so pleasing inside and outside of the ring.
FWM ADVERTISERS
Forum
THE GREAT JIMMY BIVINS TURNS 90.
Started by Jim Amato Dec 8.
mac foster
Started by rosco bartlet Dec 6.
Roy Jones Jr.-vs- The 70's and 80's 1 Reply
Started by Jim Amato. Last reply by rosco bartlet Dec 3.
JOHN GRIFFIN
Started by Jim Amato Dec 2.
HOWARD DAVIS JR.
Started by Jim Amato Nov 28.
WHO DOES ARTHUR ABRAHAM REMIND ME OF ?
Started by Jim Amato Nov 25.
BERNARDO "BOMBER" MERCADO
Started by Jim Amato Nov 22.
MIGUEL ESPINO ; GOOD CALL BY "TEAM PAVLIK"...
Started by Jim Amato Nov 21.
AMOS " BIG TRAIN " LINCOLN
Started by Jim Amato Nov 12.
BILLY LYELL RETAINS THE NABC MIDDLEWEIGHT CROWN
Started by Jim Amato Oct 18.
Events
© 2009 Created by Javiel Centeno
You need to be a member of Fightwire Magazine to add comments!
Join this Ning Network