Interview With Frankie Espinoza

TTR: Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule and answering some questions for the fans. TTR: How many years has your father, Frank, Sr., been in the boxing business? FE, Jr.: My father has been involved in boxing for about 20 years. He first started off as a bucket boy for a good friend and World Champion Alberto Davila. Ever since then he slowly made his way into managing fighters. The more he got to learn about the sport, the more he wanted to be involved. He started out by wanting only one world champion. But he's surpassed his goal by having five world champions. And more are on the way. TTR: Who were some of your favorite fighters growing up, and did you ever want to become a pro fighter? FE, Jr.: Growing up I really enjoyed watching Julio Cesar Chavez, Terry Norris, and Oscar De La Hoya. But the more that I educated myself with boxing, I grew to appreciate fighters like Salvador Sanchez, Sugar Ray Robinson, Muhammad Ali, Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leanard and many others. TTR: Was becoming a promoter something you always wanted to do, or did you feel pressured because of your father's success? FE, Jr.: I don't feel any pressure off my dad success. I'm very proud of my father and want to continue to make the name "Espinoza" a well known and well respected name within boxing. I want to be a promoter for the same reason why I have been a fan of the sport, a bucket boy, assistant trainer, and a assistant manager to my father. I've done it all for the "love of the sport." I love boxing and want to be apart of it. Doesn't feel much like a job when your passionate about it. TTR: Do You Feel Mayweather-Pacquiao will eventually happen if both guys win their respective fights? FE, Jr.: Yes, I do. There is too much money to be made in a fight like that. And everyone that follows boxing wants to see it. Even people that don't are talking about it. TTR: Has working with Golden Boy Promotions been a positive influence on your future in the business? FE, Jr.: Absolutely, GBP is one of the best promotional companies out there today. And every one from Oscar to Richard Schaefer and to everyone else that contributes at GBP has been very helpful. To have a well experienced promoter willing to help out a guy like me, who is just getting started, is, no doubt, a huge benefit. TTR: There's only two months until Israel Vazquez' much anticipated fourth fight against Rafael Marquez. How has camp been going for Israel? Are preparations the same as they were for the past three fights? FE, Jr.: Israel is doing good. Vazquez keeps himself in good condition even when he is not in training camp. Rudy Perez (Vazquez trainer) should be coming in from Mexico very soon and will officially begin camp. But I will tell you one thing, there is a big difference when training solo and having Rudy Perez on your ass. Rudy brings the pain! TTR: Are there any health concerns after Israel's fight with Angel Priolo? FE, Jr.: None at all. Vazquez has gone to his routinely check ups. And all is well. My father has done a good job to make sure Vazquez is being seen my top doctors. And he actually goes with him to every doctor visit. I've known Vazquez since he was 20 years old. He is considered family to us. We would not let Vazquez get in the ring if he was not 100%. Vazquez will be in our lives even after boxing. TTR: Espinoza Boxing has put together quite a strong stable of young fighters, Abner Mares, Ronny Rios, and Abraham Lopez amongst others. A lot consider Abner as the next big thing, how do you feel about that? FE, Jr.: I would agree with that. Abner Mares, in my opinion, is the real deal. He's young, motivated and naturally gifted. I think Abner has a bright future ahead of him. I also believe our fighters Luis Ramos, Carlos Molina, Ronny Rios and Lopez will start to make some noise this year. But our fighters know that nothing is given to them and they will need to earn the respect of the fans. I'm confident each of them will. TTR: Speaking of Abner, he has a big title fight on the undercard May 22nd. What is the strategy going to be against IBF champion Yonnhy Perez? FE, Jr.: Yes, but even before that, Abner Mares will be fighting on March 25th on Fox Sports Net in a tune up bout. But as you know, you can never take a tune up lightly. Abner will have his hands full against a great champion like Yonnhy Perez. But we are confident that Abner has the tools to beat Perez. Abner is more naturally gifted. But Perez has the experience over him. It's going to be a great fight and honestly wouldn't be surprise if that fight is the "fight of the night." TTR: Would you potentially consider joining some type of commission or league of promoters? FE, Jr.: Absolutely, if the opportunity was there. I would love to join something to that nature. It would be good for the sport. TTR: Will you try to get your events televised right away or at least webcasted? FE, Jr.: Well, my first show, that headlined Vazquez-Priolo, was televised on Fox Sports Espanol. And now for my second show on May 22nd (Vazquez-Marquez), it will be televised on Showtime. I'm taking it how it comes for now since, I'm still learning. But the plan is to no doubt promote shows and get them televised. I do like the idea of them being webcasted. In our day and age, that should be a option. TTR: How do you think being an up-and-coming Latino promoter has helped open some doors and closed others? FE, Jr.: Well, if anything I think its an advantage. It's a known fact that Hispanics are huge followers of the sport of boxing. But I look forward to any challenges that I may face. TTR: What do you think about James Toney's recent jump to MMA? FE, Jr.: I think it's interesting. Toney is a great fighter and a future Hall of Famer within boxing. But MMA is a different game. I would obviously favor Toney in the stand up. But once Toney is on the ground, that's a whole different department. Trust me, I know. I have taken some ju jitsu before. But regardless of what people think of Toney joining UFC, I know a lot of people will be watching. Including myself. TTR: With the huge rise in MMA, boxers have thrown their hats in the co-promoting mix, such as Roy Jones, Jr. and Square Ring and Golden Boy Promotions. Have you considered, or talked to your father, about possibly doing the same??? FE, Jr.: I personally don't like the whole idea of mixing MMA and boxing. Don't get me wrong, I like both sports. Just not together. To me it's like going in to a restaurant and ordering seafood and pizza. Just because I like both doesn't mean I want them together. If I go to a MMA event, its because I want to see some ground and pound. And if I go to a boxing event, its because I want to see the sweet science. TTR: I could see Espinoza Promotions joining MMA and building a strong stable of MMA fighters. I know Israel would of been a fan favorite because of his style. FE, Jr.: That is something that does interest me. But at this point, I only want to concentrate on one thing. And that's boxing. I'm very motivated and ambitious about promoting. But I don't want to get ahead of myself. I'm still in the learning process and want to learn as much as I can. Promoting in boxing or MMA, you can lose your money quickly if you do not know what your doing. But that is something that I'm interested in. TTR: One last important question before I let you go. Why is there a picture of your father with two beautiful women and you're nowhere to be seen? FE, Jr.: Hey, who do you think took the picture? And you better believe I made my father hold the camera right after. TTR: I appreciate you taking the time to conduct this interview for the fans. Is there anything you would like to tell your fans or any plugs before you leave? FE, Jr.: I want to thank everyone for taking the time to read this. And make sure you watch May 22nd on Showtime! Also, please follow me on twitter.