By Victor Salazar

Featherweight contender Luis Franco (13-1-1, 9KOs) took nearly two years off from the ring after his split draw with Javier Fortuna in 2013. He fought for the second time this year this past Friday at the Barclays Center under the Amir Khan-Chris Algieri bill scoring a 5th round knockout over Guillermo Sanchez. BoxingScene.com caught up with the Cuban as he reflected on his performance.

“I was good and ready,” Franco said. “The five rounds was full of body punches and the head. There was no problem with what I did today.”

Franco blames him being heavy for his absence from the ring but once he got back to the 126-pound weight division comfortably, his activity in the ring picked up.

“I was too heavy,” the Cuban Southpaw said. “I was weighing up to 135 and I had to get down to the weight healthy. Once the weight was down, me and my coach worked on things which were left hands to the body and it worked out. I feel like my punches are strong and I’m faster at 126.”

Now with new promoter Star Boxing, he’s ready for whoever at 126.

“My promoter is now Star Boxing, I’m ready for whoever at 126,  Abner Mares, (Vasyl) Lomachenko. Before (Gary) Russell Jr. didn’t want to fight me, so I’m ready for him if he’s ready.”