Figueroa takes on veteran
Augustus -Nov. 8 on Jones-Calzaghe PPV
October 31, 2008
LAS VEGAS (October 31, 2008) – NABF light
welterweight champion Frankie “El Gato” Figueroa, recently signed to a
promotional contract by Roy Jones, Jr.’s Square Ring Promotions, will
now take on the unofficial gatekeeper of the light welterweight
division, veteran Emanuel “Drunken Master” Augustus, in the opening bout
on the November 8th Jones-Calzaghe HBO PPV card at Madison Square Garden
in New York City.
Figueroa (19-2, 13 KOs) had been in Las Vegas training to fight his
original opponent, former WBA light welterweight champion Gavin “The
Rock” Rees, who pulled out of the fight with a broken nose.
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 matched against the unorthodox Augustus, who participated
in ESPN’s Fight of the Decade against Micky Ward, in a 8/10-round
non-title fight.
“I’m very happy to be fighting Emanuel Augustus,” Figueroa said. “We
were having a tough time finding a good opponent. He stepped up and I’m
not afraid to fight anybody. He’s an entertaining fighter and together
we’ll give fans what they really want to see. The change of opponent
doesn’t mean anything to me. I’ll be fully focused on Augustus, execute
my plan, and come out victorious.”
The 30-year-old Figueroa, a Puerto Rican-American born in Spanish
Harlem, not too long ago was counseling rebellious teens in New York
City. He was a 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. 4 by the WBC, No. 5
by the IBF and No. 15 by the WBA, Figueroa’s coming off of a by 12-round
decision against Luis Rodriquez (22-1) last May, extending Frankie’s win
streak to 11 that dates back to March of 2005.
Augustus’ misleading 38-29-6 (20 KOs) record includes many fights
against a virtual Who’s Who of the light welterweight division. He has
been stopped only three times in 73 pro fights, the last time in 2000
against Floyd Mayweather, Jr. During his 14-year pro career, Augustus
has upset “Sucra” Ray Oliveira and Alex Trujillo, fought a draw with the
late Leavender Johnson, and been in against, among the more notables in
addition to Mayweather and Ward, the likes of Herman Ngoudjo, David
Diaz, Antonio Diaz, John John Molina, Ivan Robinson, Diosbelys Hurtado
and Leonard Dorin.
For more information about Frankie Figueroa visit his web site at
www.teamgato.com, where you can enter a sweepstakes to win what he’s
wearing in the ring Nov. 8 as well as a cash prize by simply filling out
the mailing list form on the home page. Source: PR/Bob Trieger
