Brick City Boxing

By: Matt Yanofsky

I had the pleasure of speaking with the current New York State Super Lightweight champion. Francisco “Gato” Figueroa is coming off the biggest victory of his career against his Bronx rival Joey Rios. This fight was showcased on the Wladimir Klitchko-Calvin Brock Undercard.

MY: What’s up? Congrats on the victory over Joey Rios. How did it feel to defend your title in front of your friends and fans at the Mecca of Boxing, Madison Square Garden?

FF: Great, it felt like a true New York State Title fight. Back in the day, two cross town rivals would go at it on TV. The feeling was unbelievable. I went against a great opponent. I was talking the talk, but I walked the walk too.

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MY: This fight was heavily hyped in the Bronx being that you are both from the boro, what is the history between you and Joey Rios?

FF: He was in boxing a long time before me I started at 22. We were associates. We know each other, but don’t hate each other. Some things started when I was talking and he didn’t like it and it got under his skin.

MY: Your first TV appearance was in a competitive fight where you dropped a unanimous decision to Francisco Rincon. Was there any extra pressure on you, knowing the fight was televised?

FF: No, when I’m in the ring, I don’t even think about that. The feeling of boxing is great, but I forget it was on TV. It could have been a street fight. The problem was I let the fans dictate my pace. I also was not properly prepared.

MY: I see you are big on Myspace. Numerous young fighters use Myspace to promote their career and personal websites. Has this lead to an increase in fans/ticket sales for you?

FF: No, I don’t think so it will just help me out on a national TV level. People will say oh that’s the guy is on myspace. It hasn’t helped me with ticket sales, but people are getting to know me. It’s a great thing because people get my picture in their mind.

MY: I know you were originally a wrestler and went into the military. How did you end up in boxing?

FF: I wrestled in the Army. I was a child care counselor watching the De La Hoya vs Trinidad fight with the kids. I thought, man I could do this and the kids agreed that I had the speed and talent. My friend a week later asked me to box and that’s funny, because I just saw the fight. From there I joined the gym and won the Golden Gloves.