Falcao will be fighting in APB's Brazil Exhibition 



This week our APB "Boxer of the Week" campaign focused on the London 2012 Olympic silver medallist Esquiva Florentino Falcao. The Brazilian will be facing EUBC silver medallist, Romanian Bogdan Juratoni at AIBA Pro Boxing's (APB) exhibition bout in Ginásio do Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro, on August 10.

The anticipation and excitement in the build-up for this unprecedented event are almost tangible. And as we found out in our interview, Falcao and his fellow boxers are buzzing just as much as the fans are about it!

Why did you start boxing? Did anyone in particular inspire you?
It happened thanks to my father!  He always wanted to be a boxer himself, so he encouraged me into the sport. I am grateful to him as it is due to his support, that I am not just a boxer, but a good one!

What has been your favourite fight so far?
I would say it was the match I had against Anthony Ogogo at the Olympic Games in London. The London crowd was so loud! They made me feel like a local, like as if I was fighting at home. You know, it is the best motivation an athlete could have when you get this kind of support. I managed to use it to my advantage and stayed focused throughout. I know that when I dropped him in the 3rd round, the whole Brazil was celebrating with me. That fight I will never forget!

Do you follow any other sports than boxing?
Obviously, like every other Brazilian, I like football. But, for me, boxing is always first place in my thoughts... and second, and in third!
What does mean for you to compete in this upcoming APB exhibition match in August in your own country? Do you feel pleasure or additional pressure because of the home setting?

It is an honor to be a part of this event as it is a night that will be a milestone in the history of the sport, both in Brazil and in the whole world. 

But honestly, I don't feel any pressure in this regard, on the contrary, I feel highly motivated ahead of this fight! I want to be able to showcase plenty of great battles in Brazil, so I'm committed to doing an excellent job in my first APB fight on home soil.
Also, a lot of my friends and family members will be in attendance and I will give my very best to make sure all of us leave the venue with smiles on our faces.

How are you getting ready for your first APB exhibition match?
The transition from Olympic athlete to professional is not easy, but I'm facing it with a lot of determination. I'm training very intensively and working-out really hard. Besides the national team coaches who have worked with me for many years, we have got a trainer from the U.S. to help me and my brother in preparation for the Exhibition bout. I am well aware that within APB I will face strong opponents including foreign athletes with the Olympics on their CVs along with professional experience, so I am also planning to go to Puerto Rico with all the technical staff to focus on my training there.

Do you feel ready to fight after such a long break?
A fight is just a projection of what you do during your training. I know I haven't fought in any competitions for a few months, but I've been training and getting stronger for a long time. So I believe that whoever faces me, will have to overcome a very well prepared Esquiva!

What do you think of the opponent (Bogdan Juratoni) that you will be facing in Rio?
He is a famous boxer. He has a very good experience, and we almost faced each other in the London 2012 Olympic Games. I know that he is a tough fighter as I have watched him boxing. Besides that I know that he is currently active. Not to mention how well he performed in the last European Championships this year in Minsk. But on the other hand, I'm sad for him ... because he will have to face me in my homeland!