Figueroa gets shot against Bailey in April 3 IBF title eliminator

NEW YORK– NABF light welterweight champion Frankie “El Gato” Figueroa (20-2, 13 KOs), now known as Gato Figueroa, gets the opportunity that he’s worked hard for on April 3 when he takes on former WBO light welterweight champion Randall Bailey (38-6, 34 KOs) in an IBF title eliminator.

The winner between IBF No. 3 rated Bailey (No. 1 and 2 are unrated) and No. 6 ranked Figueroa, shown live on ESPN from Memphis, will earn a title shot against IBF champion Juan Urango.

“This is a phenomenal opportunity for me and I’m very happy that the fight has been made,” Figueroa said from his Miami-based training camp. “I want to thank my promoter, Square Ring and its CEO, John Wirt, and my manager, Sal LoNano, for making this happen. Nothing is going to stop me from winning this fight. I’ve been training hard, first at Mike Boyle’s (Training and Conditioning in Winchester, MA), and now in Miami with my former head trainer, Eggie Martinez, who is back in my corner. I can already tell the difference in my strength and conditioning. My sparring partners tell me I’m faster and have more pop. That’s all I needed to hear.”

Bailey has more experience than Figueroa, who has a 12-fight win streak dating back to 2004, having defeated the likes of Demarcus Corley, Carlos Gonzalez, Hector Lopez, Rudy Martinez and DeMetrio Ceballos. Bailey’s a knockout-artist who has stopped 34 of 38 victims, but Figueroa has never been knocked out as a pro. The 34-year old Bailey, 3-4 in world title fights, has been knocked out twice by Miguel Cotto and Diosbelys Hurtado. Randall lost a split decision in a 2007 IBF title eliminator to Herman Ngoudjo.

“Bailey has had his time but now it’s Gato time,” Figueroa added. “Bailey’s a great fighter. I’m not going to slam him; I’m preparing for him and will do my talking in the ring. I’m not looking past Bailey, but I am thinking about Urango because my goal is to be world champion. In order to achieve that, I have to get past Bailey to get a title shot against Urango.”

Figueroa is also rated No. 11 by the WBC and No. 14 by the WBA. The 30-year-old Puerto Rican-American was born in Spanish Harlem, where Frankie was a 2-time New York City high school wrestling champion (14-0 as a senior). He was nicknamed, “El Gato” (The Cat), because he was the only one quick enough to catch a cat that was a mascot at his original gym in the Bronx.

For more information about Frankie Figueroa visit his web site at www.teamgato.com.

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©®™2007, 2008 All photos by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, Khris Kirkpatrick Morrisey for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

Figueroa growing with RJ & Square Ring

LAS VEGAS– NABF light welterweight champion Frankie “El Gato” Figueroa (20-2, 13 KOs), halfway through his five-week training program at the famed Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning in Winchester, Massachusetts, took some time between workouts to talk about his new promoter, Square Ring Promotions, and how his career has taken a major step up since he signed with Roy Jones, Jr.’s promotional company.

“My first fight under the Square Ring banner was last year on the November 8th Calzaghe-Jones HBO PPV event,” Frankie said. “Unfortunately, my opponent (Gavin Rees) pulled out and we went with Emanuel Augustus, who is a very unorthodox fighter. Fortunately, though, I had trained hard and was well prepared going into the fight and came out with a hard fought victory.

“I am now in position for the IBF eliminator bout against (former world champion) Randall Bailey. The winner will get a shot at the new IBF champion, Juan Urango. My promoter is working with Bailey’s promoter, Lou DiBella, to make it happen, hopefully, sometime in April. My goal is to become the undisputed light welterweight champion and then moving up to 147 to fight the big names there.”

Figueroa has been working out at Boyle’s three days a week, two hours a day, for five weeks. After each session he is massaged-out and off days Frankie does light boxing-related workouts at a nearby gym.

“John Wirt (CEO of Square Ring Promotions) is a great guy and businessman,” Figueroa’s manager, Sal LoNano, remarked. “He’s a stand-up guy who is there for us and having Frankie promoted by one of the all-time greatest boxers, Roy Jones, Jr., has already opened up doors in this profession for my fighter.”

The 30-year-old Puerto Rican-American was born in Spanish Harlem, where Frankie was a 2-time New York City high school wrestling champion (14-0 as a senior). Figueroa was nicknamed, “El Gato” (The Cat) because he was the only one quick enough to catch a cat that was a mascot at his original gym in the Bronx. Frankie is presently rated No. 5 by the IBF, as well as No. 10 by the WBC and No. 14 by the WBA.

“I started late in boxing, only eight years ago, and I really didn’t know too much about Roy,” U.S. Army veteran Figueroa explained. “As I grew in boxing, I learned about Roy’s great career and fighting today under his banner is a tremendous honor. It gives me an opportunity to showcase my skills and personality to boxing fans and networks.”

For more information about Frankie Figueroa visit his web site at www.teamgato.com.

See you at the Fights.
Thanks for your time.

Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience The Video Channel Online http://www.youtube.com/ELEmpress1

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Honorable Keisha Morrisey http://www.keishamorrisey.com

©®™2007, 2008 All photos by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, Khris Kirkpatrick Morrisey for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

Figueroa following in path of Ward & Malignaggi

LAS VEGAS– Veteran boxing manager Sal LoNano has brought his fighter, NABF light welterweight champion Frankie “El Gato” Figueroa (20-2, 13 KOs), in from his Bronx home to the Boston area for a five-week training program at the famed Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning in Winchester, Massachusetts.

LoNano is having Figueroa follow in the same path two of his better known fighters, “Irish” Micky Ward and former IBF light welterweight champion Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi, also traveled with tremendous results.

“In Frankie’s last few fights I noticed something wrong on his right side,” LoNano explained. “He was switching around to the right side (Figueroa is a southpaw) because he was in some pain I brought Micky and Paulie to Boyle’s because it’s the best finding physical weaknesses of pro athletes. A physical therapist evaluated Frankie and found the problem – intertwined cartilage in his right knee and a weak back. I knew something was wrong and it’s great they found out what I knew was wrong from watching him in fights and the gym.

“Boyle’s is the place to go for any athlete trying to get back on the right track. ‘Gato’ will work there and get strong, just like Micky and Paulie did, developing muscles not normally used in the fight game. For example, when Frankie threw a jab it didn’t have any power behind it because of his knee and back. He’ll work with his trainer at Boyle’s to correct the problem. Frankie will be back 100-percent, not 80 or 90 percent, and be ready to go to training camp in Vero Beach (FL) for four weeks prior to his next fight.”

Figueroa will workout at Boyle’s three days a week, two hours a day, for five weeks. After each session he is massaged-out and off days Frankie does light boxing-related workouts at a nearby gym.

“After one day of testing I realized that they’re very serious professionals,” Frankie said. “I was surprised because I thought the testing would be a lot of jumping and pulling. I’m expecting a big improvement and increases in my power, balance and speed. I’m for any edge that will help me reach my goal of becoming the undisputed light welterweight champion of the world. I take life as it comes; I’m humble but confident. I’ve won three titles (NABF & New York State light welterweight and WBC Intercontinental welterweight) but my job won’t be complete until I’m world champion. This strength-and-conditioning program is going to help me get there.”

Nicknamed “El Gato” – The Cat – because he was the only one quick enough to catch a cat that was a mascot at his original gym in the Bronx, Frankie is now promoted by Roy Jones. Jr’s Square Ring.

The 30-year-old Figueroa, a Puerto Rican-American born in Spanish Harlem, was 2-time New York City high school wrestler, 14-0 as a senior, who didn’t start boxing until eight years ago after taking advice from a friend. A U.S. Army veteran rated No. 5 by the IBF, as well as No. 10 by the WBC and No. 14 by the WBA. Figueroa hopes to be matched in April against former world champion Randall Bailey in an IBF light welterweight title eliminator.

Figueroa, coming off of an 8-round decision last November against veteran Emmanuel Augustus, has won his last 12 fights and is unbeaten for the past four-plus years.

Frankie Figueroa and Emmanuel Augustus


For more information about Frankie Figueroa visit his web site at www.teamgato.com.

See you at the Fights.
Thanks for your time.

Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience The Video Channel Online http://www.youtube.com/ELEmpress1

EL Boxing Empress Keisha Morrisey's Myspace http://www.myspace.com/Keishadivine

Honorable Keisha Morrisey http://www.keishamorrisey.com/

©®™2007, 2008 All photos by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, Khris Kirkpatrick Morrisey for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved