Franco Looking for a Fighting Chance

By this stage of his career, Raul Franco thought he would be preparing for a world title fight, or at least a large pay day with a top-ranked contender. But after four years and only 14 fights, the promising Long Beach welterweight finds himself preparing for a rematch tonight with journeyman Miguel Avila at the Irvine Marriott’s ballroom.

Franco, 23, is still undefeated and there are no visible marks on his baby face. But the frustration of a stalled career filled with managerial and promotional problems is beginning to take its toll.

“I’m in this because I enjoy and love it,” Franco said. “But if it doesn’t make me happy and if it’s a nuisance, then maybe I’ll end it. Hopefully, this will be a better year for me.”

It couldn’t be much worse than last year. Early in 1999, Franco left his longtime manager and trainer, Richard Garcia. In March, his father, Raul Franco Sr., died of liver disease while Raul Jr. was in Florida with his new trainer, Jesse Reid. After five months and only one fight--an August bout in West Virginia--Franco ended his stormy relationship with Reid.

In November, Franco suffered ligament damage in his right thumb while training for a fight at the Irvine Marriott. He had to pull out of that bout and another scheduled in Oregon.

“It was a slow year for me,” Franco said. “My No. 1 plan this year is to get back in the groove.”

Two fights in 12 months, 14 in four years.

“That’s ridiculous,” Franco said. “It has been difficult to focus on training and fighting. I’ve had all these distractions.”

Franco’s career is beginning to resemble that of world welterweight champion Shane Mosley. Mosley, who like Franco began his career fighting four-rounders at the Marriott, also was hampered by disputes with managers and promoters early on.

“That’s exactly how I feel,” Franco said. “Shane was on the back burner for a long time before he finally broke through. Hopefully, I will come out of it like Shane did.”

Bill Miller and his partners, Fred Rhyme and Paul Tackett, are betting on it. Miller, who runs a building and property management company in Northridge, signed Franco to a multi-year deal similar to a managerial agreement.

“We’re in for the long haul,” Miller said. “We think he’s eventually going to go all the way to the top. He’s got the speed and the strength. He’s clean-cut, no smoke, no drugs. We’re looking for somebody who can set a good example for the fight game. Someone kids can look up to.”

But before anyone outside the Southern California boxing community can even recognize him, Franco realizes he must sign with a promoter who will give him some exposure. Marriott promoter Roy Englebrecht, who has been after Franco for years, said the boxer’s career is at a pivotal stage.

“Raul is at a point where he needs direction and a full-time commitment from his management,” Englebrecht said. “He’s just kind of out there swinging.”

Franco said he is meeting with officials from Top Rank Inc. next week and has met with members of Lou Duva’s team. Franco has reunited with Richard Garcia, but only for training purposes.

He has been working with Garcia for the last two months at Westminster Gym, preparing for the eight-round main event tonight. It has been three years since Franco, in his fourth professional fight, won a unanimous but unpopular four-round decision over Avila.

“I was exhausted and aggravated,” said Franco, who has eight knockouts. “I went in there and tried to take him out. I was worn out by the fourth round. I’ve been watching the tape over and over. He’s got a durable chin, but he’s fairly easy to figure out. I plan on giving him a boxing lesson.”

Less than four months ago, Franco turned down a chance to fight Avila in Washington.

“I didn’t think that was a wise fight for me,” he said. “I didn’t feel like I had anything to gain. I’m fighting him now because I just want to get back into the ring against anybody.”

Avila (7-4-3, five knockouts), who last year had two victories and a loss to ranked middleweight Gary Jones, is ready for Franco.

“Miguel has been waiting with a passion for this rematch,” said Miguel Valencia, Avila’s manager. “It’s like when you have a splinter under your skin, it irritates you until you get it out. That’s the way Miguel has felt.”

Miller is counting on Avila being nothing more than a splinter in Franco’s career.

“Raul is still developing and he’s probably two years away from a title,” he said. “But if he keeps improving at the rate he is, he can be as good as Oscar De La Hoya.”

Notes

The undercard will feature Russian welterweight Sergiy Ivashin (6-1) against Miguel Gomez (4-1) of Alhambra in a five-round bout. In another five-rounder, Fountain Valley lightweight Joe Shedarowich (1-0-1) takes on Adam Gonzalez (2-1) of Bellflower. The undercard begins at 7:30. Tickets are $25 and $35.