After more than a month in hospitals 1,000 miles away injured boxer Daniel Franco finally returned to his Southern California roots.
A special chartered plane that included climate and air pressure control instruments flew Franco from Nebraska to Chino Airport on Monday. He had been first in Iowa, then Nebraska since June 10 when he suffered a “brain bleed” following a knockout loss.
Franco, 25, is now recovering at a Pomona rehabilitation center where he is within 10 miles of his Rancho Cucamonga home.
“We’re very glad that he is home again,” said Al Franco father of Daniel. “He still is very tired from jet lag and the time difference.”
Daniel Franco needed two operations to mend the severe injury he suffered during his title fight with Jose Haro in Sloan, Iowa. The featherweight fight lasted eight rounds before the knockout.
“He doesn’t remember anything about the fight,” said Al Franco about his son’s recollection of the actual moment he was injured and what followed. “He knows he was injured and remembers certain things.”
Hospital and insurance costs are mounting daily for the Franco family who spent thousands of dollars on other things such as food, hotels and transportation while keeping vigil over Daniel Franco. Now he is in physical rehabilitation and that is another cost entirely.
Medical expenses have surpassed $1 million and despite having a PPO insurance the amount the family must pay will still be staggering for any normal family.
Fundraiser Next Saturday
A fund-raising event is planned by organizers including Nancy Rodriguez at the Last Round Bar & Grill in Ontario, California on Saturday July 29. It is located at 1542 W. Holt Blvd. Ontario, Calif. 91768.
Numerous guests are expected to attend the event to raise money for Daniel Franco and guests arriving will be able to watch the Showtime boxing card of Mikey Garcia vs. Adrien Broner super lightweight fight on a large screen. A raffle, merchandise sales and food and drink specials will be available to those attending.
Doors open at 4 p.m.
For more information call (310) 864-1313.
Also, contributions can be sent to a GoFundMe page at this link:
https://www.gofundme.com/DanielTwitchFranco
Photo compliments of Al Franco
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