Frank Espinoza: "Oscar Valdez is very happy to be training with Eddy Reynoso, he is one of the best"
By Hesiquio Balderas
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 09 Jul 2020
Frank Espinoza.
This is an exclusive interview with Los Angeles based boxing manager Frank Espinoza for Philboxing.com. Espinoza, who has been inducted into the California Boxing Hall of Fame, touches on various subjects regarding his career and his current fighters.
Balderas: Frank how many champion have you managed during your career?
Espinoza: "I’ve managed ten world champions so far including Enrique Sanchez, Chino García, Martin Castillo, Israel Vazquez, Ponce de Leon, Abner Mares and Oscar Valdez."
Balderas: What do you think is the key to be successful as a manager in the boxing world?
Espinoza: "The key is to learn to recognize talent and to have the ability to market and promote the fighter effectively. It also takes a lot of discipline in knowing how to apply the correct resources at the right time."
Balderas: Is it difficult to deal with many promoters as there are many companies as such in boxing?
Espinoza: "It can be difficult sometimes but part of the job is to learn to communicate effectively with different promoters. We’re all businessmen and at the end of the day we want to make the best deals possible."
Balderas: How did you manage to work during this difficult times? The pandemic can drive us crazy?
Espinoza: "The pandemic has definitely been challenging. We’ve had flights cancelled but it looks like boxing is getting back to normal at least as normal as possible. So the plan is to keep marketing our fighters and to keep getting them the best fights possible and to help further their careers. Whatever adjustments we have to make because of this pandemic, we will make."
Balderas: Oscar Valdez is fighting Jayson Velez. What can you tell us about that fight?
Espinoza: "Oscar is fighting Jayson who is a very good fighter and a legit tough guy. But at the end of the day, Oscar will show that he’s on a whole other level. We expect a great fight and a great effort from Jason but Oscar is prepared. His training is going incredibly well. He looks great in the gym and I expect another exciting performance from him."
Balderas: Talking about Oscar, I saw the Manny Robles [Valdez's former trainer] interview on YouTube. What's your take on that?
Espinoza: "Oscar is now training with Eddie Reynoso who is a top, top level trainer. Considered to be one of the best in the world. If anybody can come up with a great game plan it will be Eddie. That’s why he has a lot of great fighters that are joining his stable."
Balderas: Robles mentioned in the interview that it was the management team to blame for taking the Quigg fight, can we get your side of the story?
Oscar Valdez and Scott Quigg in action.
Espinoza: "As far as Oscar’s fight with Quigg, he had come in heavy for the fight and I did not want to take the match but at the end of the day, it’s the fighters decision and Oscar wanted to fight. So we went on and Oscar proved what a great champion he is by defeating Quigg even though he suffered a broken jaw."
Balderas: Oscar has made some really noticeable improvements in his defense with Eddy Reynoso. Is that something you were looking for getting Eddy as Oscar's trainer?
Espinoza: "I think Oscar has definitely made very positive changes training with Eddie. His defense is a lot better which is something that he’s been working on. I think his defense was something that we needed to improve and we have done that. His defense right now compared to what it was at the time of the Quigg fight is much superior. Training with Eddie has been quite a blessing for Oscar. We’re very happy with Eddie and what he’s achieved with Oscar. Setting up Oscar with Eddie as his new trainer is one of the Best decisions I’ve ever made as a manager.
"Well I think it’s definitely hard to lose a fighter like Oscar. I mean here’s a great young fighter who is going places and is very popular and becoming more popular all the time. The fans love him and he’s considered a top fighter in the sport. It’s understandable but sometimes you have to make decisions that take you in a different direction and that’s what we did. Manny was Oscar‘s trainer but we needed to take things to a whole other level. We wish Manny the best of luck in all his future endeavors."
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Hesiquio Balderas.
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