On March 1st, Lou DiBella and 50 Cent will be co-promoting an ESPN Friday Night Fights card to be held in the MGM Grand at Foxwoods Resort, representing DiBella Entertainment and SMS Promotions, respectively.
On a recent international media conference call, the main event of the night was discussed between Billy “The Kid” Dib (35-1, 21KO’s), who will be defending his IBF Featherweight title against decorated Cuban Olympian, Luis Franco (11-1, 7KO’s).
With there being so many talking points relating to the card: Dib’s first fight outside of his native Australia since his single loss in 2008, Rapper 50 Cent’s continuing his apprenticeship as a fight promoter, as well as the nature of the co-promotion, all amongst the main focus. The man that is hoping to be the main focus in the ring on March 1st will be Luis Franco, the number 3 rated Featherweight by the IBF.
“I want to thank my management team for having gotten me to this point. I want to thank ESPN and Foxwoods as well as Lou DiBella and 50 Cent. We’re ecstatic about being a part of his first show and we think he’s great for boxing.” Franco, who was talking via his translator, Richard Dobal opened up with.
Dib, who is well known to be an outspoken character and brash trash talker, was very vocal on the call, but staying in line with his calm, reserved demeanor, Franco kept his responses very to the point. “My message to Billy Dib is whatever he has to say to me he can say it to me in the ring the night of fight,” Franco added.
To date, Franco’s lone professional defeat occurred in his last fight: a controversial split decision defeat to Mauricio Javier Munoz in Argentina . Franco vaguely alluded to this whilst intimating that he feels he will need to win decisively against the heavily favored Dib, to avoid lightening striking twice.
“I am training very hard because not only do I need to win, but I need to win impressively,” He said.
“I mean I lost the fight in Argentina that’s what two other judges said but I don’t want to get into that and crying over spilled milk. It is what it is but I have gotten this opportunity against Billy Dib and that’s my main focus,” Franco added.
Despite having only 12 professional fights, Franco goes into the fight with Dib, having has an extensive amateur background, notching up well over a hundred amateur victories, as well as winning multiple competitions both in his native Cuba and abroad.
“Whenever I fight, whether when it was in the amateurs and on the biggest stages, or a pro, I always put on a good exciting show and this time it will be no different because it’s a battle between two champions. Billy Dib is a champion and I considered myself a champion as well,” Franco boldly added.
Franco clearly feels he is ready for this fight and this moment and is unlikely to be overawed by the occasion in his quest to become the next Cuban star.
