NEW Interview with the “Lil Warrior”!

Undefeated Michael Franco has his eye on the prize: a new WBO belt to add to his prizefighting career.

The Riverside fighter known as “Lil Warrior” (19-0, 12 KOs) will be facing Puerto Rico’s Orlando “El Fenómeno” Cruz (16-2-1, 7 KOs) THIS Friday, October 14 at the Kissimmee Civic Center in Florida. Vying for the vacant WBO Latino Featherweight strap, the unbeaten Franco plans on returning to Southern California with the belt–and one step closer to fighting for a world title. Mike’s last win was against Rafael Lora at Morongo Casino on May 21. His foe, the southpaw Cruz, has squared off against the likes of Daniel Ponce de Leon, Cornelius Lock, Leonilo Miranda, among others and is a 2000 Olympian. This Franco vs. Cruz main event will air on Telemundo and Televisa Deportes.

I caught up with the SoCal boxer on Tuesday, right before he was flying off to the sunny locale of Florida. The 24-year-old was actually at the airport with about an hour to spare before embarking on his next journey. The Warrior Nation crew was relaxed but also very excited about their newest opportunity at hand while counting down the days and hours till the fight. With father/trainer Al Franco, cornerman Bubba Lara and (and new team member) trainer/cornerman Henry Ramirez, Team Franco said they are ready both mentally and physically. Having fought before in California, Nevada and Mexico, this will be Mike’s first time lacing up in the “Sunshine State” of Florida.

But before he and his camp can enjoy the sparkling beaches near Orlando, “Lil Warrior” plans on taking care of business in his clash against his Puerto Rican challenger. Traveling 2,500 miles away from his Rancho Cucamonga gym to fight in Kissimmee, Franco and his team are looking forward to having a memorable weekend.

“We’re gonna stay a couple of extra days to enjoy Florida,” cornerman Bubba Lara tells me. “But…business comes first!”

During Mike’s last fight, he had a minor tibia issue which kept him away from road work. But that wasn’t an issue during this camp. “He’s got a great bill of health,” Lara adds. “Mike is a BEAST! Right now he’s very strong. This isn’t going to go 12–I’ll tell ya that! But he’s ready for 12 rounds if he has to.”

After working with famed promoter Don Chargin, Franco tells me he is currently a “free agent.” So he will be looking to make an impression this Friday night.

Listen in on my chat with a friendly and confident Mike Franco as he tells me what Friday’s victory would mean to him, how much he appreciates his family’s support (“Keeping Up With the Francos,” anyone?) and why he’d rather be a “knockout artist” than a “tattoo artist”!

Michele Chong: Hi Mike! So you’re boarding the plane soon; I hear you guys are looking really forward to fighting–and visiting–Florida.

Mike Franco: Yes! I’ve never really been there, other than being in airports. So after the fight we’re gonna stay a couple of extra days to explore everything.

MC: And what would winning this WBO belt mean to you?

MF: It’s a great opportunity for me! And this is one step under a main title shot.

MC: Have you watched any tapes of your opponent?

MF: I have seen a little bit of him on tape, on YouTube. It’s nothing that I haven’t seen before so I’m ready.

MC: So I heard sparring went well with several southpaws. His style won’t be awkward for you?

MF: I fought southpaws before and with the right preparation it is not a challenge.

MC: Any prediction?

MF: I will win with an early knockout. He’s not gonna be able to handle the pressure–and he’s gonna fold.

MC: And if you beat Cruz, who would you like to face in the future?

MF: Well right now I’m just goin’ in there focused–and I’m not gonna worry about the road ahead. It’s up to my team but I’d love to fight (Juan Manuel) Lopez or (Yuriorkis) Gamboa.

MC: What about Mikey Garcia? I know you train with him but he’s a featherweight champ too. Would you ever fight him and how awkward would that be to fight a buddy?

MF: (Laughs) It can be awkward! Mikey and I train side by side, but it is a sport and I have fought friends before.

MC: When is the last time you had to fight a friend?

MF: In Mexico…not my last fight there but the one before. I fought a friend I’ve known since we were amateurs–and I knocked him out in the fourth round.

MC: You have your own gym, Warriors Combat Academy. Do you feel this gives you an edge in training?

MF: Yeah, it definitely gives me an edge with not having to worry about calling around to other gyms to see if they can open up. I can train anytime! If I want to train at 10 p.m. or 8 a.m. it’s available to me. It’s great. Training was perfect and I also did a lot of sparring at Wild Card too.

MC: So aside from boxing, I know you have many other interests including tattoos. You’ve inked a lot of your pals too. Do you consider yourself a “tattoo artist”?

MF: (Laughs) I’ve worked on a lot of tattoos before but it’s not something I do EVERY day. I box every day so I would still call myself a “boxer.” (Laughs)

MC: And if you’re not training, what else do you like to do?

MF: I like to stay active; I can’t just sit there on a couch and watch TV for hours and hours! I like to keep an active lifestyle and get around. I like baseball, football, skateboarding, I like to keep on my feet! I also love amusement parks and riding roller coasters. And I spend time with my family too.

MC: I’ve known your family for a while now. I think your parents Al and Teresa have done a great job–you’re all very grounded and down-to-earth kids!

MF: Thank you! I love my family and I don’t take them for granted. They are everything to me and every morning when I wake up I give them a kiss on the cheek.

MC: (Laughs) Which one do you kiss?

MF: My mom and my dad–BOTH! (Laughs)

MC: Awww, that’s so sweet. There’s also your brothers and sister, Daniel, Nick and Vanessa. Daniel is also a pro fighter. When is he fighting next?

MF: He’ll be fighting on November 4 at the Doubletree Ontario, Thompson’s card.

MC: Your family is so much fun and you guys are a close-knit bunch. Hey, maybe you should have your own reality show?

MF: Ummm, NO! (Laughs)

MC: (Laughs) C’mon…like the Kardashians! How ’bout “Keeping Up With the Francos” with all your guys’ adventures?

MF: I don’t know if that’s a good idea!

MC: Okay, well for now we’ll just see ya guys in the ring. Have a great time in Florida, Mike! And nice talking to you–I know you have to catch your plane soon.

MF: Thanks, Michele! We’ll talk to you later.

Today the rest of the team have all joined the “Lil Warrior” as the Warzone Boxing Club favorite gets ready for his championship bout come Friday night.

If all goes as planned, Michael Franco will return to SoCal as the new WBO Latino Featherweight Champ.

Tickets: (407) 935-1412

Photos courtesy of Team Franco/ Ring photos by Ray Flores