LUIS FRANCO PULLS OUT OF TITLE SHOT VS. BILLY DIB

According to ESPN.com, Luis Franco of Cuba has pulled out of a title shot against IBF featherweight champ Billy Dib. The fight was scheduled to headline a Lou DiBella/50 Cent co-promoted card to be featured on ESPN2 on March 1st. A replacement is now being sought for Franco, who claims to have retired, although promotional discord is thought to be behind the foolish decision to pull out. --Scott Shaffer