Interview With "El Gato" Figueroa: Bailey vs Figueroa Odds

Interview With "El Gato" Figueroa: Bailey vs Figueroa Odds

By Brad Marchetti, Doghouse Boxing (April 4, 2009) DoghouseBoxing.com

Tonight on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights up-and coming Jr. welterweight Francisco "El" Gato" Figueroa will be facing the explosive Randall Bailey in a 12-round I.B.F title eliminator. For Figueroa, 20-2, 13 KO's, this will be a step-up fight as he meets the dangerous Bailey, 38-6, 34 KO's, who is the toughest opponent he has met to date. I got a chance to interview the colorful Bronx boxer "El Gato" as he prepares to meet Bailey in the biggest fight of his career. The boxing betting odds for the Bailey vs Figueroa fight have Bailey as a 3:1 favorite.

Marchetti: Gato, Why take this fight against such a dangerous opponent?

Figueroa: This is an I.B.F title elimininator. Rather than wait around or not wait around for a fight, I decided to jump at this opportunity. If there is money or opportunity involved I will be fighting.

Marchetti: How long did you have to prepare for this fight? Will this be your last fight at 140 Lbs.?

Figueroa: I had 10 weeks to prepare for this bout. I plan on staying at 140 Lbs. for a long time. Before the weigh-in for this fight I ate some egg whites with mushrooms and still came in at 139.4.

Marchetti: How was training for this fight? Who did you get sparring with?

Figueroa: I did 5 weeks of strength training with Mike Boyles before heading to Miami to do 5-weeks of boxing training with my old trainer Eggie Martinez. My chief sparring partner was Angel Martinez who weighs about 170. Angel and I would spar 10-14 round sessions and one week we sparred 33 rounds total.

Marchetti: Are there any weaknesses you see in Randall Bailey's game?

Figueroa: Well, Randall is a good all-around fighter but his power seems to fade after 4 or 5 rounds. I plan on putting the pressure on him. Like I always say, pressure busts pipes and that's what I plan to do.

Boxing Betting Odds For Bailey vs Figueroa

Bailey: - 340

Figueroa: + 260

Randall Bailey Tale-Of-The-Tape

Ht. 5'9"

Wt. 139.6

Age: 34

Reach: 70"

Style: Brawler

Trainer: John David Jackson

Francisco "El Gato" Figueroa Tale-Of-The-Tape:

Ht. 5'6"

Wt. 139.4

Age: 30

Reach: 66"

Style: Pressure Fighter\Boxer

Trainer: Eggie Martinez