Like many Cuban ex-patriots Luis “La Estrella” Franco defected to America and decided to go pro. Similar to Odlanier Solis, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Yuriorkis Gamboa & Yan Bhartelemy he represented Cuba at the 2004 Olympics, however while the aforementioned fighters who all won gold Franco went out in the Quarter Final stage to future WBC Super Featherweight champion Vitali Tajbert. Though he stayed in the amateur’s until 2008 when he was banned by his own government from competing, it was at this stage Franco knew he’d need to make the leap into the pros to further his Boxing career. He made the bold move in 2009 and has so far made quick progress, which is undoubtedly helped by his vast amateur pedigree going 9-0(5) so far. Last time out Franco 29, outpointed heavy handed Leonilo Miranda who went into their fight with an impressive 32-1(30) record. With that sort of performance we can expect to see Franco back on the airwaves soon and zeroing in on a title shot in the next year or so. He’s already ranked by the IBF at number 8 & 10 by the WBO.
Hello Luis, welcome to 15rounds.com
Anson Wainwright – Firstly in your last fight you beat Leonilo Miranda. What can you tell us about that fight and how happy were you with how you performed?
Luis Franco – I feel very good about the Miranda fight. It was a very hard fight against a very tough and strong opponent. This was a big step in my development as a pro. I am very happy to have gotten the victory and the experience has made me train all the harder.
Anson Wainwright – Do you know who you’ll be fighting next? What sort of schedule are you looking at this year?
Luis Franco – As of now, I have nothing scheduled, I am waiting to see what my promoters & team come up with. I have two more fights on my contract this year and hope to have at least one more, so hopefully, three.
Anson Wainwright – What parts of your game do you think are your strong points and what do you think you need to work on?
Luis Franco – I have exceptional hand and foot speed and coordination. I am extremely athletic. I command the ring with my generalship and have a sound defence. I continue to work to improve my strength and power.
Anson Wainwright – What are your thoughts on the Featherweight division? How far do you think you are from challenging for a world title?
Luis Franco – The featherweight division has some very good fighters in the top contender status and I respect all of them. I would like to challenge for a world title by the end of 2011.
Anson Wainwright – What do you think of the champions WBC Jhonny Gonzalez WBA Yuriorkis Gamboa & WBO Orlando Salido? Who are you targeting? Would you fight your countryman Gamboa?
Luis Franco – The current featherweight champions are all very good fighters. I would be happy to fight any one of them, including my countryman, Gamboa. I came to the USA to become a world champion. That is my goal and I will try to achieve it by any means necessary.
Anson Wainwright – What was it like growing up in Cuba as a kid and how did you first get involved in Boxing?
Luis Franco – My father was a musician so I was exposed to music at a very young age. I wanted to become a musician just like my Dad. Some of my friends from my barrio took me to a boxing gym one day and I just fell in love with it. I was 9 years old. I showed aptitude and by 10 years of age I was in a State sponsored boxing school.
Anson Wainwright – Of course you were a very good amateur. What titles and tournaments did you win? What current pros did you meet in the amateurs and how did you do? What was your final record in the amateurs?
Luis Franco – I was two times the Cuban National Champion. I was a World Amateur Champion. I won a pre-Olympic title in Europe. I was a member of the 2004 Olympic boxing team for Cuba in Athens, Greece. I am currently the WBO Intercontinental Featherweight Champion, as a professional. I know all the current Cuban pro boxers from the amateurs. I also know the boxers Elio Rojas, Dominican Republic, and Juan Manuel Lopez, Puerto Rico, both from my days as an amateur. I had over 400 fights as an amateur and lost 32.
Anson Wainwright – Why did you decide to defect to America and go pro? Can you tell us about the journey from Cuba to America?
Luis Franco – I decided to defect and come to the United States in 2008 after being banned from further amateur boxing by the government of Cuba. I travelled by boat from Cuba to Cancun, Mexico. From Cancun, I travelled by airplane and automobile to Texas where I presented myself to U.S. Immigration authorities, seeking asylum.
Anson Wainwright – Many people talk about the new wave of talent that has come over from Cuba Gamboa, Rigondeaux, Solis, Lara, Ugas, you etc in your opinion which fighter is the most talented? Which guys still there do you think would be good additions to the pro game if they were to go pro?
Luis Franco – Rigondeaux was certainly the most talented boxer as an amateur. All the Cuban boxers currently fighting here in the USA are doing very well and I wouldn’t speculate on who is the best. There are not very many good boxers still in Cuba. Practically the entire Cuban National “A” Team is here.
Anson Wainwright – What do you like to do when your not training or Boxing, tell us about yourself?
Luis Franco – I don’t go out often. I train twice per day and run every day also. I try to relax at home. I enjoy video games, action movies and music.
Anson Wainwright – Who was your Boxing hero growing up?
Luis Franco – My boxing hero growing up was Oscar De La Hoya. I have since come to admire Sugar Ray Leonard.
Anson Wainwright – Do you have a message for the Featherweight division?
Luis Franco – I would like to put the featherweight division on notice that whoever fights me had better prepare for the hardest fight of their lives. Since the Miranda fight (my last fight) I have rededicated myself to my training. What they saw in my fight with Miranda is not typical of what they will see in my future fights.
Thanks for your time Luis, keep up the good work.