Frankie "El Gato" Figueroa's Bio

When witnessing light welterweight Bronx-bred Frankie "El Gato" Figueroa's exhilarating fights, you have to wonder, 'How does he manage to simultaneously dodge his opponent's barrage of tactical punches without looking to see them coming?' "It's easy, I feel them coming," says the 28-year-old, live mechanic, southpaw champion about the unique defense mechanism he pioneered that he calls, "flowboating." "It's a combination of spinning on the heel and the balls of your feet with movement at the waist," he explained.

At various exhibitions, street fairs and festivals throughout N.Y.C., Gato promotes himself in a contest that allows kids to win a free Gato t-shirt if they can hit him within 30 seconds, using boxing gloves, of course. As of yet, none of the young contestants have won, but he still gives them a t-shirt for their effort. "Playing with the kids helps me stay sharp," he says. "Plus, I like to interact with the kids and be a positive mentor"

In fact, in 1999, when working as an in-house mentor at a group home for troubled youth the well-rounded athlete decided the sweet science would be the next sport he'd conquer. One day, Gato took his kids on a field trip to the Trinidad vs. De La Hoya fight. It was at that point he was convinced his speed out measured that of both fighters. "Why not become a boxer?" He thought to himself-seven months later he won a Golden Gloves title in the Novice (147-pound) division.

His excellence in the sweet science is an extension of his naturally inclined athletic prowess. During his four-year reign at Lehman High School in The Bronx, Gato made history when he became a two-time N.Y.C. wrestling champion, remaining undefeated his junior and senior years. His wide receiver and running back skills also came in handy on the football team, which won the championships the three consecutive years that Gato was a team member. If that's not enough, he also played on the championship soccer team and was a member of the track team as well. Unsurprising, after graduation, he went on to the US Army and became a wrestling champion.

"Living in The Bronx, we had a rapper, KRS-One, who represented the Bronx versus every other city borough. But, in order for KRS to be King Kong in The Bronx, he had to put his name on the line to conquer the Bronx, that's what I've done and will continue to do."

As a product of The "Boogie Down" Bronx, Gato was a part of the very beginning of hip-hop, an art form that he definitely incorporates into his thought process and mental dexterity as a fighter. "Back then, hip-hop was about what borough was the best," explains Figueroa confidently. "Living in The Bronx, we had a rapper, KRS-One, who represented the Bronx versus every other borough. But in order for KRS to be King Kong in The Bronx, he had to put his name on the line to conquer the Bronx, that's what I've done and will continue to do."

Facing an unbeaten Joey Rios (14 wins, 6 kos) also from The Bronx Last year-in front of 15 thousand at Madison Square Garden was Figueroa's true test of borough representation. The battle took place on the Klitchsko vs. Brock under card-entertaining names such as Spike Lee, Mohamed Ali and other reputable faces in attendance. Figueroa's victorious battle for The Bronx was hands down the biggest fight of the night. The bout made for Gato's fifth consecutive win, in which he defended his New York State Jr. welterweight title. Nearly eight months prior, after defeating Maximos Cuevas, Figueroa also obtained the WBC Intercontinental Mundo Hispano title.

Despite facing two controversial losses very early in his career, the gifted brawler remained undiscouraged. In 2006, Figueroa's intriguing fight style became highly sought after by some of the most seasoned veterans in Boxing. Last year Gato was chosen as a chief sparring partner for "Vicious" Vivian Harris, Arturo "Thunder" Gatti, and unbeaten Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton, who flew Gato to England to help him get in tip-top shape for his 42nd bout. Subsequently, and coincidentally, all three veterans won the fights Gato helped them prep for. Gato was sparring partner for Miguel Cotto and Sugar Shane Mosley.

Nonetheless, Gato still finds the time to give back to the youth as a mentor for the Fresh Air Fund. Through the non-profit organization from the ages of six-to-sixteen Gato was able to escape the inner-city streets. The program placed him with a host family in Vermont, where for over a decade the city boy was doing country boy things, and loving it.

Ultimately, Gato is a humble, ambitious, young star on the verge of greatness. Some may get the impression he's cocky or consumed in himself with his slick-talking tendencies, but Gato says, "I always speak from the heart, whatever I feel, I say." The words he continues to speak are simple: "I'm going to be the next world champion to reign in boxing." I'm quick, my reflex and defense game is extremely tight and I hit hard. So, whoever wants to try me, come and get some."

Bio courtesy of http://www.teamgato.com.