Francisco Figueroa
Encyclopedia
Francisco Figueroa is a professional boxer
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...

 from the Orlando
Orlando
Orlando is a major city in the U.S. state of Florida.Orlando may also refer to-Places:* in Florida** Orlando, a major city** Greater Orlando, the 27th-largest metropolitan area in the United States...

,FL, USA.
Francisco Figueroa, whose nickname is "El Gato", has been featured numerous times on ESPN2
ESPN2
ESPN2 is an American sports cable television network owned by ESPN. The channel debuted on October 1, 1993.Originally nicknamed "the deuce," ESPN2 was initially branded as a network for a younger generation of sports fans featuring edgier graphics as well as extreme sports like motocross,...

 and HBO fights. On August 17, 2005 he defeated Hector Alejandro, Jr for the New York State Light Welterweight Championship. He also had a powerhouse bout at Madison Square Garden against another undefeated contender Joey Rios, whom he successfully defended that same NY State Light Welterweight Title.

Figueroa fought Emanuel "The Drunken Master" Augustus, in which he won a controversial split decision, on the undercard of the Roy Jones Jr. vs. Joe Calzaghe fight at Madison Square Garden Nov. 8, 2008. However, some witnesses felt that the crafty Augustus, who landed over 20 more punches than Figueroa, won the fight.

He knocked out Ubaldo Hernandez and defended the NABF Light Welterweight Title.

He also beat high ranked and undefeated opponent Francisco Rincon @ Mid-Hudson Civic Center, in Poughkeepsie NY.

On November the 16th, El Gato made his 2nd title defense against hard hitting, powerhouse Noel Rodriguez. Figueroa won and retained his world title.

El Gato was ranked #4 in the world and commands 3 minor regional titles. He has also linked up with amazing trainer, and former world champion, James "Buddy" McGirt where the team is looking to build on his already accomplished career, in hope of getting a world title shot for 2009.

An opportunity at a title shot came when Figueroa faced former light welterweight champion Randall Bailey
Randall Bailey
Randall Bailey is an American boxer at welterweight. Nicknamed "The Knockout King", Bailey is widely considered to be one of the hardest punchers in boxing today.- Professional career :...

 in a IBF
IBF
IBF may refer to:*International Boxing Federation is one of several boxing organisations* International Bandy Federation former name of Federation of International Bandy , an international governing body for bandy...

 title eliminator in early April 2009. Figueroa was knocked down in the opening round, but rallied back to score a flash knockdown in the second round. However, another right hand from Bailey sent Figueroa crashing to the canvas for the count in the 4th round. ESPN commentators called this an early candidate for ESPN's Knockout of the Year.

External links

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