Exclusive Boxing Interview: Francisco Bojado

After nearly a three year lay-off, Francisco “Panchito” Bojado made his return to the ring on the eve of Cinco de Mayo. Bojado improved to 17-2 (11) after winning a unanimous decision over journeymen Dairo Jose Esalas, who falls to 29-8 (24).

Just before Bojado’s comeback fight, SaddoBoxing had the opportunity to speak with him in an exclusive phone interview. We discussed his return to the ring, his new promoter and his experience of training with Oscar De La Hoya in Puerto Rico over the past month.

SaddoBoxing: It has been nearly three years since your last fight; what have you been doing with your time?

Francisco Bojado: “Basically training, just trying to evolve as a fighter. I’m trying to take my skills to the next level. I have been practicing a lot with UFC fighters. I have been living in the gym, sleeping and breathing boxing and trying to evolve as an overall fighter.

“I have been practicing a lot with the UFC fighters and their training regimens and different things they do to prepare for their fights. I have been inactive for a while but I have been maintaining, staying in the gym, I’m very active and I am trying to get my skills sharpened even better than they were before.”

SB: Why did you decide to take such a long break after your split decision loss to Jesse James Leija?

FB: “To be honest I didn’t think I would be taking that long of a break. I just had it in mind maybe a couple months and get right back to work but the promoter [Main Events] I was with at the time never got back to me as far as having any schedule for me to get back in the ring.

“Besides that, I was already unhappy with how they were running my career and I didn’t see eye to eye with them. I basically waited on my contract to finish and once it was up, I started to talk to different promoters and set up some meetings to see which would be the best promoter to work with.”

SB: I recall some talk of you making a comeback last summer, was there any truth to that? If so, what prevented the fight from taking place?

FB: “I was trying to see what type of agreement I was going to get with them. I wasn’t happy with some of the things they were offering me. It took longer than I expected. I wanted to get back into the ring. Basically little details on the contracts I kept disagreeing with; they weren’t giving me what I wanted so I just held off.”

SB: Was there something specific that Main Events was doing or not doing that you didn’t like?

FB: “It was just certain things that they weren’t taking care of. But that’s over with, there are no bad emotions about it, it’s through and over with. I just want to move forward with my life and my career. I have my fight on May 4 and I signed with Golden Boy which is all that really matters.”

SB: Going into 2004, you were one of the hottest prospects in the junior welterweight division, did you feel pressure to perform? Was it too much too soon?

FB: “I was 17 when I turned pro, at the time in 2004 I had just turned 21. A lot came real quick and real fast. I was happy how everything turned out. I have no regrets. There was some pressure by being a young fighter. I was always blessed and appreciate the goals I accomplished at such a young age.

“There was some pressure but that wasn’t it; I had immaturities on my part and a lot had to do with the business aspect of it. That’s why I decided to step back and make the right decisions, get rid of some people and start fresh.”

SB: Which people did you get rid of from your team?

FB: “I still have the same people on my boxing team except for Mayweather, Sr. and the reason why is I have been part of the De La Hoya camp. I trained with Oscar and sparred with him to help him out to the best of my ability to prepare him for the Mayweather fight. I have been trying to learn as much as I can from this legend of my time.

“Since Mayweather, Sr. was not going to be part of this camp I decided to just stick to the same people I have and be a part of the De La Hoya training camp. The only thing that has changed is the managers and promoters.”

SB: Has this been your first experience working with Oscar De La Hoya?

FB: “Yes this is my first experience working with him, training with him and sparring with him. When I do talk to him, certain things that he tells me I try to focus on. I even have a little note pad where I write everything down so I can keep it for my personal use so the experiences he has gone through, I can learn from.”

SB: You probably couldn’t ask for a better training camp to come back to and make your comeback fight.

FB: “You know, what I really feel everything happens for a reason. There was a reason I lost against Jesse James Leija, maybe God didn’t have the plan for me as winning that fight. Maybe there were more trials and tribulations that I needed to learn in and outside the ring. I needed to mature a little bit more as a person and be more level headed.

“Now I am here and I signed a deal with Oscar and worked with him in his training camp in one of the biggest fights in boxing history. I couldn’t ask for more, I am blessed. I am only 23 years old and am truly blessed to be were I am.”

SB: I have to ask, what’s your prediction for Oscar’s fight?

FB: “Man, you know what it’s gonna be such an incredible fight. It’s going to be so hard to make a prediction, I can’t…I can’t (laughing). No way I can make a prediction I am just looking forward to it, I can’t wait for it.”

SB: What level do you feel you are at now compared to three years ago?

FB: “I was still a little bit more anxious every time I got in the ring. When I turned pro at 17, I was being pushed very quickly and put against good opposition. My skills were good enough to stay at the level that I was fighting. In the time I took off I think I am still the same fighter, but more mature. I notice the difference after sparring with Oscar and Shane (Mosley). I see the difference and I am thinking more clearly and more focused.

“I am more level headed and grounded. Right now, I am just surrounding myself with people that will allow me to focus on improving my boxing skills. I am going to keep evolving as a fighter. The one thing I can say is if I was hurting a grown man at 17, think what I can do at 23.”

SB: I remember becoming a fan of yours after watching your bout against William Adamyan in 2003, you were cut pretty bad and came back with an incredible knockout. You mention developing your boxing skills; do you find yourself leaning more towards becoming more of a boxer than a brawler?

FB: “I think with each fighter it all depends on the style. There are certain times that I feel if I can go in there and brawl and take him out than I will go out there and do that. If I see it’s better for me to box than brawl I can do that, it’s all about making choices while you are in the ring. I believe I am a good boxer and I can also settle down and brawl. It’s just a matter of a choice that I have to make as the fight goes along.”

“When I fought Adamyan, I wanted to go in there and box a little bit and as soon as I went in I found he had a longer reach. I had to work inside, jab and then get inside and throw some body punches. The first round I went in I threw a couple jabs, I pushed him back and as soon as he touched the ropes I threw two body shots. As soon as I threw my left body shot to his liver he ducked down and at the same time that’s where we collided heads.

“I felt that I had to keep going forward and press the fight and try to hurt him. I saw the opening and caught him with what was one of my best knock outs. He was so tall, he was perfect for the uppercut. It was one of my favorite fights also, I was cut and it showed me what I was made of even though I was cut I still went forward and wasn’t concerned about my cut.”

SB: Do you know anything about your opponent Dairo Esalas?

FB: “I know he is a Colombian, he has a strong right hand and he comes forward. It’s gonna be a good night for me to fight in front of so many Latin fans because it is going to be a Cinco de Mayo weekend and De La Hoya’s fight on Saturday. I just have to go in there and do my thing.”

SB: What can we expect to see from you during this fight?

FB: “I want to make a statement that I will be a threat to whoever is at 140 lb. I just want to go in their and perform to the best of my ability. I want to get some rounds in if I can get some rounds in. If I see him make a mistake and I can take advantage of that mistake of course I will try to close the show. ”

SB: Do you have any specific goals you would like to accomplish in 2007 or your career?

FB: “I want to be very active this year. I would like to get in four fights this year if it is possible. Other than that, I would like to fight some highly ranked fighters. I want to do the best I can to my ability to looking forward and representing my country. I love my sport and I am so happy to be back.”

SB: I really appreciate the time, I am looking forward to your fight next week and wish you the best of luck.

FB: “Thank you so much and for your time. You are welcome to call me anytime. Have a good night and God bless.”