Joshua Franco
Born (1995-10-27) October 27, 1995
San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
Other namesEl Profesor ("The Professor")
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 5 in (165 cm)
Reach67 in (170 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record[1]
Total fights24
Wins18
Wins by KO8
Losses2
Draws3
No contests1
Medal record
Men's amateur boxing
Representing  United States
National Championships
Silver medal – second place2014 Airway HeightsLight Flyweight

Joshua Franco (born October 27, 1995) is an American former professional boxer who held the World Boxing Association (WBA) super flyweight title between 2020 and 2023.

Professional career

Early career

Franco made his professional debut on August 6, 2015, scoring a four-round split decision (SD) victory over Temoatzin Landeros at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles, California. He amassed a 14–1 record during the next three years, with six of those victories coming by way of stoppage.[2]

Franco was scheduled to challenge Oscar Negrete for the WBC-NABF bantamweight title on October 4, 2018, at The Hangar in Costa Mesa, California. The bout was set as the main event of an ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes broadcast card.[3] The fight, in which both men threw over 1000 punches, was ruled a split draw. Each fighter received a 96–94 scorecard from one of the judges, while the third judge scored the fight a 95–95 draw.[4] An immediate rematch between the pair was set, with the WBC-NABF and vacant WBA International bantamweight titles on the line. The rematch was scheduled for April 25, 2019, as the co-main event of a junior welterweight bout between Yves Ulysse Jr. and Steve Claggett, and was broadcast by DAZN.[5] Franco won the fight by split decision, with one score of 98–92 for Negrete and 96–94 and 97–93 for Franco.[6] Franco made the first defense of his two secondary title against Oscar Negrete on August 10, 2019. The trilogy bout was scheduled as the co-main event of a welterweight fight between Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Antonio Orozco.[7] Franco and Negrete once again fought to a split decision draw, with scores of 96–94, 95–95 and 93–96, the same as in their first meeting.[8]

Franco was scheduled to face Jose Alejandro Burgos in a non-title bout on January 11, 2020, on a DAZN broadcast card. Franco moved back down to super flyweight from bantamweight for this bout.[9] He won the fight by a ninth-round technical knockout.[10]

WBA super flyweight champion

The Moloney trilogy

After compiling a record of 16–1–2 (8 KOs) he challenged WBA (Regular) super flyweight champion, Andrew Moloney, on June 23, 2020, at the MGM Grand in Paradise, Nevada. After a competitive back-and-forth fight in which Franco scored a knockdown in the eleventh round, he defeated Moloney via twelve-round unanimous decision (UD) to capture the WBA (Regular) title. Two judges scored the bout 114–113 while the third scored it 115–112, with the eleventh-round knockdown being the deciding factor in Franco's victory; had he not scored the knockdown, Moloney would have retained his title through a majority draw. According to CompuBox stats, Franco landed 231 out of 789 (29.3%) punches thrown while Moloney landed 191 out of 663 (28.8%).[11]

The pair agreed to fight an immediate rematch on November 14, 2020, at the MGM Grand Conference Center in Paradise, Nevada, on the undercard of the Terence Crawford and Kell Brook welterweight title bout.[12] Referee Russell Mora declared the fight a no contest, after the ringside doctor stopped the fight at the beginning of the third round due to a swelling around Franco's right eye, which resulted from a headbutt according to the referee. Moloney's corner disputed this, which led to a 20 minute instant replay review by the NSAC who confirmed Mora's decision.[13]

Due to the controversial nature of their second meeting, a trilogy bout was scheduled for August 14, 2021, which took place at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The title fight was set as the main event of an ESPN broadcast card,[14] with most odds-makers having Moloney as the favorite at -240.[15] Franco retained the title by unanimous decision, with all three judges awarding him a 116–112 scorecard. He outlanded Moloney 168 to 107 in total punches, and 127 to 73 in power punches landed.[16]

Promotion to undisputed champion

On February 9, 2022, the WBA ordered the WBA "Super" champion Juan Francisco Estrada to defend his title against Franco. The pair were given until March 11 to come to terms.[17] As the pair failed to do so, a purse bid was scheduled for April 18, 2022,[18] which was later postponed by 24 hours.[19] The promotional rights were won by Golden Boy Promotions, who bid $120,000, with a 75/25 split in favor of Estrada.[20] Although the bout was officially expected to take place on July 16, 2022,[21] it was eventually postponed to August 20.[22] On July 18, Estrada's trainer Alfredo Caballero stated in an interview with Izquierdazo that Estrada would vacate the WBA title in order to pursue a trilogy match with Román González.[23] On August 11, 2022, Estrada officially relinquished the super flyweight "Super" title. Immediately afterwards, Franco was promoted to undisputed status and remained the sanctioning body's sole titleholder at junior bantamweight.[24]

Franco vs. Ioka duology

On October 11, 2022, it was revealed that Franco has entered into negotiations for a title unification fight with the reigning WBO super flyweight champion Kazuto Ioka.[25] It was confirmed a month later that the title bout would take place on New Year's Eve at the Ota City General Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan.[26][27] On November 4, the WBO furthermore ordered the winner of the fight to face the sanctioning body's former flyweight champion Junto Nakatani in a mandatory title defense no later than 180 days afterwards.[28] The fight ended in a majority decision draw. One judge scored it 115–113 for Franco, while the remaining two judges scored it as a 114–114 draw.[29]

Due to the inconclusive nature of their first meeting, both Franco and Ioka agreed to an immediate rematch.[30] As Ioka was ordered to make a mandatory title defense against Junto Nakatani directly after facing Franco, he instead opted to vacate the title, meaning the rematch would only have the WBA super flyweight title on the line.[31] The championship bout was booked to take place on June 24, 2023, at the Ota City General Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan.[32] Franco was stripped of the WBA title at the official weigh-ins, as he came in nearly two full divisions above the super flyweight limit.[33] He lost the fight by unanimous decision, with two scorecards of 116–112 and one scorecard of 115–113.[34]

Professional boxing record

24 fights 18 wins 2 losses
By knockout 8 1
By decision 10 1
Draws 3
No contests 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
24 Loss 18–2–3 (1) Kazuto Ioka UD 12 Jun 24, 2023 Ota City General Gymnasium, Ōta, Tokyo, Japan WBA super flyweight title at stake only for Ioka as Franco missed weight
23 Draw 18–1–3 (1) Kazuto Ioka MD 12 Dec 31, 2022 Ota City General Gymnasium, Ōta, Tokyo, Japan Retained WBA super flyweight title;
For WBO super flyweight title
22 Win 18–1–2 (1) Andrew Moloney UD 12 Aug 14, 2021 Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S. Retained WBA (Regular) super flyweight title
21 NC 17–1–2 (1) Andrew Moloney NC 3 (12), 0:01 Nov 14, 2020 MGM Grand Conference Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Retained WBA (Regular) super flyweight title;
Fight stopped after Franco suffered an eye injury from an accidental head clash
20 Win 17–1–2 Andrew Moloney UD 12 Jun 23, 2020 MGM Grand Conference Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Won WBA (Regular) super flyweight title
19 Win 16–1–2 Jose Alejandro Burgos TKO 9 (10), 2:13 Jan 11, 2020 Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
18 Draw 15–1–2 Oscar Negrete SD 10 Aug 10, 2019 Verizon Theatre, Grand Prairie, Texas, U.S. Retained WBA International and WBC-NABF bantamweight titles
17 Win 15–1–1 Oscar Negrete SD 10 Apr 25, 2019 Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S. Won WBC-NABF and vacant WBA International bantamweight titles
16 Draw 14–1–1 Oscar Negrete SD 10 Oct 4, 2018 The Hangar, Costa Mesa, California, U.S. For WBC-NABF bantamweight title
15 Win 14–1 Isao Gonzalo Carranza KO 5 (6), 1:36 Jun 1, 2018 Belasco Theater, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
14 Loss 13–1 Lucas Fernandez TKO 9 (10), 0:46 Mar 24, 2018 Complejo Ferial, Ponce, Puerto Rico
13 Win 13–0 Carlos Maldonado UD 8 Dec 14, 2017 Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S.
12 Win 12–0 Pedro Antonio Rodriguez UD 6 Jul 14, 2017 Belasco Theater, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
11 Win 11–0 Oscar Mojica UD 8 Jun 17, 2017 Teatitos Championship Plaza, Frisco, Texas, U.S.
10 Win 10–0 Marco Antonio Sanchez KO 1 (6), 0:40 May 18, 2017 Casino Del Sol, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
9 Win 9–0 Victor Pasillas KO 3 (8), 2:32 Feb 3, 2017 Belasco Theater, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
8 Win 8–0 Felipe Rivas UD 6 Nov 18, 2016 Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 Bryan Bazan RTD 4 (6), 0:19 Sep 17, 2016 AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 Sam Rodriguez UD 6 Jun 11, 2016 The Rail Event Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 Jorge Perez KO 2 (6), 1:24 Apr 1, 2016 Belasco Theater, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 Juan Carlos Benavides UD 6 Jan 29, 2016 Belasco Theater, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Leonardo Reyes KO 1 (6), 2:19 Dec 4, 2015 Belasco Theater, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Saul Hernández TKO 3 (4), 1:46 Oct 2, 2015 Belasco Theater, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Temoatzin Landeros SD 4 Aug 6, 2015 Belasco Theater, Los Angeles, California, U.S.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Boxing record for Joshua Franco". BoxRec.
  2. ↑ "BoxRec: Joshua Franco vs. Temoatzin Landeros". boxrec.com. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  3. ↑ Salazar, Francisco (August 24, 2018). "Bantamweights Oscar Negrete and Joshua Franco to clash, on October 4". ringtv.com. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  4. ↑ Golden Boy Promotions (October 5, 2018). "RESULTS: Oscar Negrete And Joshua Franco Battle To Draw". boxing247.com. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  5. ↑ Salazar, Francisco (April 24, 2019). "Joshua Franco, Oscar Negrete out to settle unresolved draw". ringtv.com. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  6. ↑ BoxingScene Staff (April 26, 2019). "Yves Ulysse Gets Revenge, Edges Steve Claggett By Decision". boxingscene.com. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  7. ↑ Salazar, Francisco (July 9, 2019). "Joshua Franco-Oscar Negrete trilogy bout set for August 10 in Texas". ringtv.com. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  8. ↑ Montero, Michael (August 10, 2019). "Joshua Franco and Oscar Negrete fight to another draw on Ortiz-Orozco underard". ringtv.com. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  9. ↑ Salazar, Francisco (October 12, 2019). "Jesse Rodriguez to face Jose Alejandro Burgos, on DAZN, on Saturday". ringtv.com. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  10. ↑ Donovan, Jake (January 11, 2020). "Joshua Franco Breaks Down, Stops Jose Alejandro Burgos". boxingscene.com. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  11. ↑ Idec, Keith (June 23, 2020). "Joshua Franco Bloodies, Drops, Decisions Andrew Moloney To Win WBA Title". BoxingScene. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  12. ↑ Gonzalez, Abraham (November 11, 2020). "Franco vs Moloney II: Will it Burst the Bubble on Saturday Night?". nyfights.com. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  13. ↑ Okamoto, Brett (November 15, 2020). "Joshua Franco-Andrew Moloney ends in controversial no contest after replay upholds ref's ruling of accidental head-butt". espn.com. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  14. ↑ O'Hara, Ryan (July 16, 2021). "Settling the score: Joshua Franco vs. Andrew Moloney on August 14". ringtv.com. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  15. ↑ Lelinwalla, Mark (August 14, 2021). "Joshua Franco vs. Andrew Moloney 3: The Big Fight Preview - everything you need to know". dazn.com. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  16. ↑ Coppinger, Mike (August 15, 2021). "Joshua Franco wins by unanimous decision to cap trilogy with Andrew Moloney". espn.com. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  17. ↑ Stumberg, Patrick L. (February 9, 2022). "WBA orders Juan Francisco Estrada to defend against Joshua Franco". badlefthook.com. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  18. ↑ Donovan, Jake (April 5, 2022). "Estrada-Franco: WBA Sets April 18 Purse Bid For Title Consolidation Clash". boxingscene.com. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  19. ↑ Donovan, Jake (April 18, 2022). "Estrada, Franco Granted 24-Hour Extension To Reach Terms For Title Consolidation Fight". boxingscene.com. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  20. ↑ Donovan, Jake (April 19, 2022). "Estrada-Franco: Golden Boy Wins Purse Bid For Title Fight, Eyed For June Or July". boxingscene.com. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  21. ↑ Milano, Jesús (May 17, 2022). "Estrada-Franco will be on July 16". wbaboxing.com. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  22. ↑ Stumberg, Patrick L. (June 22, 2022). "Juan Francisco Estrada vs Joshua Franco pushed back to August 20th, WBC vows to strip Estrada of franchise title". badlefthook.com/. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  23. ↑ Torres, David (July 18, 2022). "Gallo Estrada Renunciará A Título Amb; No Habrá Mandatoria Con Joshua Franco". izquierdazo.com. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  24. ↑ Donovan, Jake (August 11, 2022). "Juan Francisco Estrada Relinquishes WBA 'Super' Title; Joshua Franco Elevated To Full Champ". boxingscene.com. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  25. ↑ Donovan, Jake (October 11, 2022). "Kazuto Ioka-Joshua Franco Title Unification Bout Eyed For New Year's Eve In Japan". boxingscene.com. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  26. ↑ Simpson, Luke. "Kazuto Ioka and Joshua Franco will compete in a Super Fly unification match on New Year's Eve in Japan". uksport.news. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  27. ↑ Donovan, Jake (November 22, 2022). "Ioka-Franco Unification Clash Lands At Ota-City General Gymnasium In Tokyo On New Year's Eve". boxingscene.com. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  28. ↑ Stumberg, Patrick L. (November 4, 2022). "WBO orders Kazuto Ioka vs Joshua Franco winner to face Junto Nakatani". badlefthook.com. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  29. ↑ Donovan, Jake (December 31, 2022). "Joshua Franco, Kazuto Ioka Fight To Majority Draw In WBA/WBO Title Unification Bid". boxingscene.com. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  30. ↑ Coppinger, Mike (February 15, 2023). "Sources: Joshua Franco, Kazuto Ioka agree to title rematch". espn.com. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  31. ↑ Salazar, Francisco (February 17, 2023). "Kazuto Ioka Vacates WBO 115-pound Title, Nakatani-Moloney Ordered For Vacant Belt". ringtv.com. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  32. ↑ Salazar, Francisco (April 24, 2023). "Kazuto Ioka-Joshua Franco Rematch Set For June 24 In Tokyo". ringtv.com. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  33. ↑ Donovan, Jake (June 23, 2023). "Joshua Franco Still Over 115-Pound Limit, WBA Title At Stake Only For Kazuto Ioka In Rematch". boxingscene.com. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  34. ↑ Donovan, Jake (June 24, 2023). "Kazuto Ioka Outpoints Joshua Franco In Rematch, Wins WBA Title". boxingscene.com. Retrieved June 24, 2023.


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