"Gato" Figueroa to HBO: What about Me vs. Salita on B.A.D.?

By David Kolb (Nov 24, 2006) Recent chatter around the New York City boxing community has been that Edgar Santana will face off against Dmitriy Salita on the undercard of the February 17, HBO Boxing After Dark show headlined by Paul Malignaggi. However, fresh off his big win against previously unbeaten Joey Rios, Frankie Figueroa is making his case to face Salita. “I beat an undefeated Rios at Madison Square Garden on the November 11 undercard (Klitschko-Brock). I deserve this shot,” said Figueroa. “I’m more exciting of a boxer than Santana. People want to see excitement. I mean, where did this kid come from? He hasn’t beaten anyone. I stepped up and took the Rios fight, no problem.” Figueroa (also known as Gato), felt that his last scrap vs. Rios was a breakthrough performance, and although his last fight was not televised, it was on a big card, with thousands in attendance to see his work. “Team Gato have been working very hard. I’ve been in the gym working hard. I am ready to keep stepping up,” said Figueroa. Figueroa has captured two titles in his last two fights, although they aren’t household title names. By defeating Rios he gained the New York State Light Welterweight Title, and in his previous bout he defeated Maximino Cuevas for the Vacant WBC Intercontinental Mundo Hispano Welterweight Title. Figueroa said emphatically, “What does Santana bring to this fight? I’ve won two titles at the junior welterweight level. I’m an exciting, aggressive fighter. A small Camacho. Santana has some power; he’s just an OK fighter. He is focused, nothing extravagant, nothing extraordinary.” Figueroa reflected on a time when HBO commentator Harold Lederman approached him after a he gained a third round TKO of Jadschi Green, who had previously gone the distance with Paul Malignaggi. “You’re an aggressive fighter in the ring. You create excitement,” Lederman told the prospect. Figueroa said, “Ever since then, I wanted to be on HBO.” “I’ve been stepping up opponents my whole career; fighting Salita will only help me get to where I want to be.” As for the fight itself, Figueroa says, “To fight Salita on a card under Paul Malignaggi would be an honor. The money has got to be right, but I’d love to do it.” Figueroa says that Santana has never been through the ups and downs of being an experienced fighter. “I’ve been cut, suffered flash knockdowns, but have always come back strong. He has never been through that. When something happens to him, he won’t know what to do; he will have to change his game plan. I would be able to stick to my game plan cause I have the experience.” After hearing that Figueroa is making his pitch for the HBO slot, Salita said, “I want to fight the best guys out there and Gato proved himself against Rios. I respect him for taking a chance and stepping up to the challenge. Gato beat one of New York City’s brightest prospects in Rios.” However, Salita said that he was just as confident vs. Figueroa as he would be vs. Santana. Although promoter Lou DiBella would have liked the Theater in Madison Square Garden for this card, the Theater is booked, so it seems as if the show will take place at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York