By Jhonny Gonzalez
Featherweight contender Luis Franco has denied that he retired from boxing. Franco (11-1, 7KOs), 31-years-old, was going to face IBF champion Billy Dib in an ESPN televised main event on March 8th at the Foxwoods Hotel and Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.
BoxingScene.com recently reported that Franco withdrew from the contest after being unhappy with the money. The boxer's co-promoter, Richard Dobal, told BoxingScene that Franco refused to sign the contract and told his manager Henry Foster that he planned to retire. He was later replaced by Evgeny Gradovich.
"No, I am not going to retire, but I do not want this fight because it's time to put an end to the abuse. Boxers are human beings, not dogs. We must demand our rights. I have not been treated with respect and I prefer to dwell for a moment before continuing," Franco told George Ebro.
"Everyone knows that a world title fight is worth at least $50,000 and I was offered $20,000. After the usual deductions I would be left with about $10 to $12,000 and that's just not fair. Already in the previous fight something similar happened in Argentina. There was an initial figure, but then I was actually paid with another figure it was rather low. How long will I have to accept that? It's not fair."
Foster and Dobal insist Franco accepted the terms of the contract, but then changed his mind. Dobal points out that Franco was no longer undefeated and he was coming off a defeat, but a win over Dib and capturing the championship could have changed Franco's life.
