"I am really excited about this fight. It's going to be televised live on Telefutura. I am stepping up to 126 pounds. My camp has been outstanding. This is going to be a great opportunity for me to step up and step out...I'm looking forward to stepping up my game," stated fast-rising featherwight prospect Michael Franco as he talked about his upcoming August 20 clash with Adolfo Landeros. Check it out!
MJ: Tell us about your upcoming fight.
MF: I am really excited about this fight. It's going to be televised live on Telefutura. I am stepping up to 126 pounds. My camp has been outstanding. This is going to be a great opportunity for me to step up and step out.
MJ: Who are you fighting?
MF: Adolfo "El Terror" Landeros. To be honest with you, I don't know too much about him for the simple reason being that I am going in and fighting my fight. He can adjust to my fight. I trust my team and if there was anything I should know, they would tell me and train me accordingly. I can tell you it's going to be a great battle when "Lil Warrior" meets "El Terror".
MJ: I hear that you've opened up your own gym.
MF: Yes, it's something I have wanted to do for a long time. We are very excited about it. We offer a variety of MMA techniques as well as standard boxing training. We have top professionals, former and current fighters, to give the best training to our members.
MJ: So you're trying to cater to everyone?
MF: Exactly. We are actually in the process of putting together a series of programs geared towards rehab treatments. Our team is working with professionals from the medical field to come up with ways to incorporate our program into patients' recovery. We'll help injured war vets, men and women coming back from war injured, who will need to do a course of physical therapy. They can come to our gym and join our program. It's an amazing opportunity for us to be able to offer this at our gym. We have the support of the local VA hospital and hopefully we can take this program nationwide.
MJ: Do you do any MMA training?
MF: At this time, no, but we are looking to get into MMA training in the near future.
MJ: What are your plans after this next fight? How are you planning your upward path?
MF: Well, obviously I have to get past this fight first. I am really focused on winning. My team and I will get together after August 20th and look at our options. I train hard and am always fight ready. If I have to say anything, it would be I'm looking forward to stepping up my game and profile. Like I said, I stay ready; I train every day in anticipation for my next opponent, Whoever it is. I know my team thinks it's the right fight for my career.
MJ: Who's promoting you right now?
MF: Right now, I don't have a contract with anyone. We are talking to some outstanding promoters and after August 20th, we will explore our options. I am fighting on the Don Chargin/Jorge Marron card for this fight.
MJ: Are there any guys you're looking to target in the next couple of fights? Are you hoping to get any of the top guys?
MF: There are always fights out there that I'd like. I have my eye on a few people.
MJ: Is there anything you'd like to say to the FightHype.com fans in closing?
MF: I want to say to all of my fans, thanks for your support. Tune in August 20, live on Telefutura, to see a great show.