After two terrific fights in October and April, bantamweights Joshua Franco and Oscar Negrete are set to meet for a third time on Saturday, Aug. 10, part of the DAZN card in Texas headlined by Vergil Ortiz Jr vs Antonio Orozco.
Franco (15-1-1, 7 KO) and Negrete (18-2-1, 7 KO) went to a 10-round draw last October, and Franco edged a split decision win in their April 25 rematch. There’s been basically nothing separating the two fighters over 20 rounds, and they’re both itching to get back in there and maybe, finally settle the score for good.
“I’m excited to have this third fight,” said Franco, 23. ”I think it’s good for boxing to have trilogies like this because they bring a lot of excitement and attention to the sport. I’ve been training really hard, and I’m ready to show everyone why I believe I won the first two fights. With a win, I’ll be more than ready for a world title shot.”
“I feel happy and motivated to once again fight against Joshua Franco to get back what rightly belongs to me, the two belts,” said the 31-year-old Negrete. ”The truth is that after they gifted Franco that fight, I felt robbed and disappointed. But now it’s time to clarify everything.”