Q&A Interview with Gato Figueroa Jr.
On March 7th, former hot rising contender Francisco “Gato” Figueroa Jr. returns to the ring for the first time in over two years. He’ll be fighting on DiBella Entertainment’s Broadway Boxing card at the BB King Blues Club & Grill in New York City, in front of his hometown fans, and taking on undefeated welterweight prospect Alex Perez, who currently is 15-0 with 9 KOs.
Figueroa, 20-3-1, 13 KOs, has taken time away from the squared circle to heal up, get his life together and indulge in some other business opportunities. Now he’s back though, and he’s ready to make another run. Check out what he has to say on his comeback, where he’s been for the past two years, how boxing fits in with the rest of his life plans right now and what he learned from his crushing KO loss to Randall Bailey.
What made you want to get back into the ring, and what made this the right time to do it?
Gato: Well after the Randall Bailey fight, I fought 4 months later against Rashad Holloway and broke my hand, and took some time off to recover. But then I started staying to myself… I was struggling financially and boxing wasn’t paying the bills. I am a family man and as a man I need to create income. Since my inactivity I’ve become a Fitness, Lifestyle and Boxing coach. Now that I am able to create steady income, now is the perfect time to come back!
You have plenty going on beyond a professional career in the squared circle. Are you fully dedicated to fighting right now?
Gato: No, I am not dedicated to fighting… I am fully dedicated to fitness, boxing is just something I’m really good at. My mom always told me everything in life has it’s time and place. So I’m committed to fitness and when I get a call for boxing reasons, I make time in my calendar to add it in. So when fight time comes I’m super ready.
I started boxing at 22 years old, and I don’t love boxing, I love competition. So because of that, boxing is extra income that I can make. I also know that boxing is a business and the better I do in this business I know my sporting line CantStopWontStop will do better and also at the same time the more money I can make for my family and family generations to come. They say “Gato you can’t do two things at once” but I’m here to prove people wrong. I’ve been doing this my whole life!
What’s the end goal with your comeback?
Gato: The ending goal is hopefully someone sees and gets interested in my motivational clothing line called CantStopWontStop, which is “Not a saying..but a Movement,” and buy me out. But I know I need boxing as an outlet to reach the world and become that world champion I’m destined to be.
Do you plan on campaigning at welterweight or junior welterweight – or will you be taking whatever action you can find?
Gato: I plan on campaigning at junior welterweight but if the money is right at welter, why not? I’m never been out to fight anyone just the money they offer, and you can check my record and see for yourself.
After this, how long do you think it will take you to round back into title contention?
Gato: Well I have this fight here with hard hitting Alex Perez and DiBella has a 2 fight options deal on me. And knowing his connections I’m hoping soon.
What’s it like for you to be able to fight in front of your hometown fans in New York City again?
Gato: Amazing, and we’ve sold over 100 tickets directly. I’ve never sold that much ever, and that’s only because the place is a small venue. We could have sold hella more. I’m so shocked “My Team” sold that much. You know how boxing is, everyone wants to come but no one shows up, only by spirit or by giving free tickets away.
What do you think about your opponent, Alex Perez, who is an undefeated prospect at 15-0?
Gato: I thinks he’s good but his team bit off more than they can chew here.
The last image most people have of you in the ring is your crushing KO loss to Randall Bailey. What did you learn from that, and how have you moved on from that at this point?
Gato: Yes that is so true, oh man that image… no bueno. It’s OK man, I learn through time to get over it which didn’t take me long because four months later I fought again against Holloway. It was on ESPN but nobody saw it (laughs).
It’s boxing, Bailey is one of the very few fighters that has real elite power. Everybody in boxing has power but not many with elite power like he does. Many people don’t realize that after that fight I moved up to welterweight and fought Rashad Holloway. And we fought to a draw and I broke my hand in the 4th round, like I said.
Also, what I’ve learned from that fight is move your god damn head next time! (laughs)
Thanks for the time, Gato.
Gato: Thanks for having me on, thank you guys for the great questions. If people want to reach me they can follow me on Twitter @NoOneStopsGato, with the #CantStopWontStop team, and on YouTube, @GatoFizTv.
