We caught up with Frankie at a Training Seminar in California, here's the Interview Q: Hi Frankie we know you're really busy and we appreciate you taking the time to sit down with us for this interview. A: No Problem I always have time for my supporters Q: Can you tell us how old you where when you started boxing? A: I first put on gloves when I was 4, but my first completion was at age 7. h Q: That's pretty young! We've heard people call you "DIESEL" at your fights. Can you tell us what that's about? A: (laughs) Well, My name is Frankie D. Sanchez. The D is for Derwin but some reporter in Denver said "The D should stand for Frankie Diesel because he hits like a Mack Truck." and people picked up on that. But I'm "THE EDUCATOR" and always will be. Q: Speaking of Denver you fought in that area alot. Are you originally from there? A: I was born in Denver, but my roots trace back to San Luis, Colorado. Q: When is your birthday? A: June 26th 1972 Q: With all your training and sparring do you find time for hobbies? A: To train like a champion you need to balance your activities, I like to hunt, fish camp and also like horseback riding. I like to go to church and spend time with my family. Q: What got you into boxing? A: My grandfather was a former champion and he was a big inspiration to me. Q: Who was your favorite boxer growing up? A: I didn't really have one favorite, but I always loved to watch Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran and Salvador Sanchez. Q: Have you been involved in any other sports besides Boxing? A: I played baseball, football, basketball, wrestling, judo and almost every kind of martial arts you can think of. Q: Which sport was the toughest? A: I would have to say boxing only because of the tremoundous amount of punches that are directed to the head and body. Q: Are you afraid of getting brain damage? A: I try to give rather than recieve, but in any sport you can get brain damage take football for example, look at some of the hits they take to the head. Q: Do you ever get nervous before your matches? A: No, I'd have to say I'm really relaxed when I'm boxing. But I do get nervous when I do Ultimate Fighting. Q: What has been your biggest fight so far in boxing? A: I would have to say when I fought for the WBC FECARBOX Championship. I fought the current champion Joseph Brady for 12 hard rounds and only had 9 days to prepare for the fight. I never thought I would last the 12 rounds, but I did. Q: You trained with some famous fighters like Roberto "Hands of Stone" Duran and Vernon "The Viper" Forrest. Have you met many other celebrities since you have been a pro? A: I've met many well known people like Sugar Ray Leonard , John Mobley , Michael Jordan, Joe Fisher, Ken Shamrock, Oscar de la Hoya, Mark Shultz, Hector Camacho and Sheldon Marr to name a few. Q: What is the hardest part of being a Professional Boxer? A: Beside the training and cutting weight for fights, I think the hardest part is knowing there are people out there who are jealous of you because you are doing good. Q: How do you deal with people like that? A: Well I don't let them bother me you know. As a pro I have learned that for every one person you have who likes and supports you, there are eight others who dislike you or talk bad about you. That's just the way it is. Q: Does that make you want to quit boxing? A: No it doesn't. Most people who dislike me have never even met me. A women told me one day that she hated Oscar de la Hoya because he was so cocky. I asked her if she had ever met him and she said no. That woman showed me that no matter how hard you train or how good you are, you can't please everyone. So there's no pressure there. Knowing that really makes me a stronger person and a stronger fighter. Q: How long do you want to continue boxing? A: Only for a few more years. I am an educated man. I have a bachelors degree and want to put my education to use. Q: You've been very vocal about the importance of education at seminars all over the world. What message do you try to convey? A: I have spoken at hundreds of schools and to thousands of students in the U.S. and China. I tell them that education is very important in today's society and that an education is something that can never be taken away from them. Q: Is their anything else that you want your supporters to know about you? A; I just want them to know that anything is possible if you truly believe in yourself and work hard, it will happen someday. Q: Frankie we really want to thank you for taking the time for this interview. You're a true champion and we wish you the best of luck. A: Thank you.