John Franklin, National Amateur Champ Turns Pro Saturday

By Ryan Maquiñana

Former national champion John Franklin will turn pro this Saturday at the Beaumont Club in his hometown of Kansas City, Mo., against Thomas Heaton.

“Fast-Hanz Frank” capped a distinguished amateur career at flyweight with a gold medal in the 2011 USA Boxing National Championships.  The seven-time All-Army champion now has designs on a professional world title at 115 pounds, a feat accomplished by very few, if any, African-American fighters before him.  One of them, legendary Hall of Famer Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson, immediately comes to mind.

“People told me I kind of reminded them of ‘Too Sharp’ when I was coming up as an amateur,” Franklin said.  “Maybe it’s because I can switch to southpaw, too.”

Of course, Franklin understands he has a long way to go before earning the right to be mentioned in that breath.  “I’m learning every day.  I wanted to turn pro in 2007 after the World Military Games, but I still have my duties,” the longtime Army sergeant said.  “My service is finally done in November, so I’ve been focusing on that as well as starting to transform my style to the pros with my coach Basheer Abdullah.”

After an accomplished high school football career that he says garnered interest from Arizona State as a kick returner, Franklin fell in love with boxing after watching another lefty in his prime.

“I studied the young Pernell Whitaker,” Franklin added.  “He had the flu the week of the Olympics and stopped his opponent in the final with a body shot in the second round. What a champion! He was amazing at the beginning of his career. His ability to do things like dominate a fight with his jab are things I want to do one day.”

Adjusting to this level can be more of a chore than expected for some star amateurs.  Trading in the headgear and singlet for lighter gloves and extra rounds will provide a different frontier for Franklin this Saturday against Heaton (0-4), who hails from Gainesville, Ga.

At the not-so tender age of 28, the pressure will be on Franklin to move his career along faster than most.  With the help of Abdullah, Franklin has vowed he would be ready to make the plunge into deep water.

“I know the pros is a different game, and that I’m going to have to take some chances here or there,” he said.  “But I still want to take my time when I can, and still be on schedule to be where I need to be.  I’m definitely prepared for the challenge.”

It all starts Saturday in Kansas City.  Fighting in front of family and friends, Franklin hopes that his debut will mark the genesis of something special.

“Victor Ortiz reps Kansas with his Jayhawks gear, and he’s from Garden City,” he said.  “I’m trying to put Kansas City on the map.  I guess we’re known for raising opponents, but that’s not me. I’m going to be a world champion.”

Ryan Maquiñana writes a weekly column for Comcast SportsNet Bay Area (CSNBayArea.com). He’s also a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and Ring Magazine’s Ratings Panel. E-mail him at rmaquinana@gmail.com , check out his blog at norcalboxing.net or follow him on Twitter: @RMaq28.