By Ryan Songalia

It looks like the promotional situation of Francisco "El Gato" Figueroa might be headed for court. Yasin Malnik, President of The Seeno Group, informed BoxingScene.com that he is considering legal avenues to enforce his contract with Figueroa. "Frankie is in contract with Seeno Group. As long as he recognizes that, then we have no problem. If he doesn't recognize that, then I will do what I have to for him to recognize that."

On March 4, Figueroa's camp, headed by manager Sal LoNano, issued a press release stating that the Bronx native was now a "promotional free agent". When reached for comment, Figueroa explained the nature of the business dissolution. "Yasin didn't fulfull his end of the contract. I was supposed to get six fights per year, I only got four. I've been missing my bonus since January 1, so he breached the contract on those two issues."

While not going too far into contractual discussions because of potential legal actions, Malnik refutes Figueroa's breach claim. "I will say this, that the contract does not guarantee six fights per year."

Figueroa insists that he harbors no sour feelings, stating that "business is business" and "I move on, he moves on."

Malnik insists that he held up to his end of the bargain, saying Figueroa wants out of the contract for his own personal gain. "I think it's disloyal. I think it's a mistake. I don't mind him and me going separate ways, but there's a way to go about it. I've invested a lot of time, effort, and money to get him to where he is right now. For him to want to get up and just walk away is unfair. There needs to be proper resolve to the situation."

The press release went on to state that Figueroa was "entertaining offers from numerous promoters." To that, Malnik counters, "I don't think any promoters are biting on him or even interested in him, nor were they ever interested in him."

The next move for "El Gato" is Big Bear, CA, where he will work as a sparring partner for Shane Mosley's camp in preparation for Zab Judah. "Hopefully I impress them so much that they'd be interested in signing me," Figueroa said.

Figueroa fought four times in 2007, earning the NABF Light Welterweight title in the process. He last fought November 16, winning a unanimous decision over Noel Rodriguez in Kissimmee, FL. His record is 18-2 (13 KO).

Any questions or comments? Send them to me at mc_rson@yahoo.com .