SoCal Fighter Still Recovering
Southern California fighter Daniel “Twitch” Franco has proven his warrior mentality after suffering a devastating defeat versus Jose Haro on June 10 in Sloan, Iowa. After this loss in which the two were fighting for the USBA Featherweight Championship (which Franco won in 2016), the SoCal boxer was placed in a medically-induced coma and was touch-and-go for several days.
Since this tragedy, Franco, 25, has been slowly recovering from life-threatening brain bleeds and has undergone several surgeries. While he’s made great progress, the road back will be long and rocky. Many people have stepped in to assist in the growing drain on Daniel’s father/trainer’s finances. As you can imagine, the medical bills have been sky high for the family. Daily expenses are totaling over $1,200 a day. Daniel is learning to walk and speak again while staying at Casa Colina in Pomona. The former champ is making strides but has also had setbacks along the way.
Supreme Boxing, the World Boxing Council and WBC Cares held a recent fundraiser to help the family. Held at the Last Round Bar & Grill in Ontario, the Supreme Boxing team hosted a fight party featuring a live telecast of Mikey Garcia vs. Adrien Broner. The eatery was packed and standing-room only. There were prize raffles and T-shirt sales and the opportunity for Daniel’s family, friends, fellow fighters and fans join together to lend support to this brave young gladiator. There were many of his gym mates from the Warzone Boxing Club in Rialto also in attendance.
Hosting this special event were Supreme Boxing’s Nancy Rodriguez, Ricardo Jimenez, Anna Aguilar, Anthony Saldaña, Cynthia Saldaña, Rayal Navarette, and more. Greeting the fans were Daniel’s brother Mike Franco, his uncle Ferny Franco, WBC Supervisor Mo Noor, fighters Israel Vazquez, Mari Cornejo, Jose Ramirez, David Benavidez, Sindy Amador, Ronnie Essett, Ryan Garcia, Sean Garcia, Joseph Landeros, boxing’s Robert Santa Cruz, Jose Benavidez Sr., Roger Ruiz, Henry Garcia, Steve Harpst, Edward Scott Jr., Bubba Lara, Markey Nieves, Joe Alegria and many more.
The WBC’s Nancy Rodriguez introduced the special guests of honor who all came together on July 29. Daniel’s father was out of town with his young amateur champ Daniel Barrera at the 2017 Ringside World Championships.
Team Franco says thank you to everyone who came out to the latest fundraiser. Daniel says it’s an awesome feeling to see all the support. He promises he will continue to work hard on his road to recovery!
Daniel Franco Painting:
To Donate: www.gofundme.com/DanielTwitchFranco
Photos by Michele Chong
