Franco at Crossroads With State Welterweight Title on the Line

The California welterweight title isn’t the belt Raul Franco hoped to be fighting for at this point in his career. But these days, any title would be a positive step for Long Beach’s Franco, who fights Danny Perez of El Cajon in the 10-round main event tonight at the Irvine Marriott.

A highly regarded amateur when he turned pro four years ago, Franco’s professional career has been beset by managerial problems, inactivity and unspectacular performances. Until February, it hadn’t been tarnished by a loss.

But that changed when Franco lost a unanimous eight-round decision to journeyman Miguel Avila of Chino at the Marriott. Franco was twice penalized for low blows and he was listless for much of the fight.

“I just started throwing punches, not thinking,” Franco said. “I wasn’t in as good of shape as I needed to be and I wasn’t there mentally.”

Franco, who reunited with former trainer Richard Garcia before the Avila fight, realizes he is at the crossroads of his career.

“This is my most important fight and this is one of the toughest opponents I’ve faced,” he said.

Franco, 24, has tried to put a positive spin on his first loss in 15 fights.

“I’m not going to feel so stressed out now that I’ve got that loss out of my hair,” he said. “I’m not concerned about losing anymore. I’m concerned with my performance.”

Maybe he should be concerned about Perez, a 24-year-old who is 18-2 with 11 knockouts and is ranked 15th by the United States Boxing Assn.

One of his victories came against former North American Boxing Organization champion David Kamau.

“He’s a pretty aggressive fighter,” Franco said. “He’s no chump.”

Franco understands he could be labeled a “chump” if he doesn’t get his career moving forward again.

“I’m going to have to keep fighting these kind of tough guys to prove to myself that I can be a good fighter,” he said. “I’m looking to get back into the picture.”

Roy Englebrecht, who promotes bouts at the Marriott and the Arrowhead Pond, said that picture might include a main event fight at the Pond in August against promising welterweight Mark Anthony Suarez (14-0, five knockouts) of Riverside. But first Franco must get by Perez.