Omar Figueroa Jr. Explained

Omar Figueroa Jr.
Nickname:Panterita
Weight:
Height:5 ft 7+1/2 in[1]
Reach:73 in
Nationality:American
Birth Date:13 December 1989
Birth Place:Weslaco, Texas, U.S.
Style:Orthodox
Total:32
Wins:28
Ko:19
Losses:3
Draws:1

Omar Figueroa Jr. (born December 13, 1989) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 2008 to 2022. who held the WBC lightweight title in 2014.[2]

Amateur career

Figueroa had approximately 40 amateur bouts, mostly fought in Texas and Mexico, but quickly turned professional, admitting he "did not care for" the amateur ranks.[3]

Professional career

On January 6, 2012, Figueroa won an upset TKO over undefeated Puerto Rican-American prospect Michael Pérez in a bout televised on Showtime.[4] Figueroa would go on to win a total of six bouts in 2012, including his debut for Golden Boy Promotions, a second round knockout of Mexico's Ramon Ayala. Building on this success in 2013, Figueroa won a unanimous decision over Japan's Nihito Arakawa for the vacant WBC interim lightweight title, in a fight declared by the Showtime commentator Mauro Ranallo to be a candidate for 2013 Fight of the Year. Writer Scott Christ of the boxing blog Bad Left Hook later said of Figueroa and Arakawa's encounter:

"This fight was unreal and has to be seen to be believed. The brutality was simply off the charts. They might not agree with it today, but I heard more than one person last night say that this was the best fight they've ever seen, or the best fight of the 2000s.[5]

Figueroa Jr vs. Burns

In 2015, Figueroa defeated former world titlist Ricky Burns via unanimous decision at the State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, Texas[6]

Figueroa Jr vs. Molina Jr

On 16 February, 2019, Figueroa Jr faced John Molina Jr. In a tough contest, Figueroa Jr managed to continuously beat Molina Jr to the punch and outbox Molina Jr, to win the fight via unanimous decision, 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93.[7]

Figueroa Jr vs. Ugas

In his next bout, Figueroa Jr fought Yordenis Ugas, ranked #5 by the WBC at welterweight. Ugas won the fight convincingly, winning 119-107 across all three scorecards.[8]

Figueroa Jr. vs Ramos

In his next bout, Figueroa Jr fought Abel Ramos, ranked #8 by the WBA at welterweight.[9] After six rounds Figueroa Jr had taken a lot of punishment from Ramos, which prompted Figueroa Jr's trainer Joel Diaz to stop the fight after the end of the sixth round.[10]

Professional boxing record

ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
32Loss28–3–1Sergey LipinetsRTD8 (12), Aug 20, 2022
31Loss28–2–1Abel RamosRTD6 (12), May 1, 2021
30Loss28–1–1Yordenis UgásUD12Jul 20, 2019
29Win28–0–1John Molina Jr.UD10Feb 16, 2019
28Win27–0–1Robert GuerreroTKO3 (10), Jul 15, 2017
27Win26–0–1Antonio DeMarcoUD12Dec 12, 2015
26Win25–0–1Ricky BurnsUD12May 9, 2015
25Win24–0–1Daniel EstradaKO9 (12), Aug 16, 2014
24Win23–0–1Jerry Belmontes12Apr 26, 2014
23Win22–0–1Nihito ArakawaUD12Jul 27, 2013
22Win21–0–1Abner CottoKO1 (10), Apr 20, 2013
21Win20–0–1Henry Aurad KO1 (8), Mar 2, 2013
20Win19–0–1Dominic SalcidoUD10Jul 12, 2012
19Win18–0–1Alain Hernandez TKO1 (8), Jun 23, 2012
18Win17–0–1Tyler Ziolkowski KO1 (6), Jun 2, 2012
17Win16–0–1Robbie Cannon TKO2 (8), May 5, 2012
16Win15–0–1Ramon Ayala KO2 (10), Mar 16, 2012
15Win14–0–1Michael Pérez 6 (10), Jan 6, 2012
14Win13–0–1Marcos Herrera KO2 (8), Aug 28, 2011
13Win12–0–1Eric Cruz UD8Jun 17, 2011
12Win11–0–1John FigueroaKO2 (8), Apr 23, 2011
11Draw10–0–1Arturo Quintero8Nov 12, 2010
10Win10–0Julian Rodriguez2 (6), Jun 18, 2010
9Win9–0Edgar Portillo6Mar 27, 2010
8Win8–0Anthony WoodsTKO2 (4), Dec 12, 2009
7Win7–0Jeremy MartsTKO1 (4), Aug 22, 2009
6Win6–0Jorge de LeonTKO3 (6), Jun 4, 2009
5Win5–0Ramiro TorresTKO1 (4), May 15, 2009
4Win4–0Daniel GarciaTKO3 (8), Feb 27, 2009
3Win3–0Arturo HerreraTKO2 (4), Nov 21, 2008
2Win2–0Joe Reyes1 (4), Oct 18, 2008
1Win1–0Edwin Espinoza1 (4), Jun 21, 2008

Personal life

Omar who is of Mexican descent, is the older brother of former boxing champion Brandon Figueroa. Omar Figueroa brought light to mental health in his showtime special where he went on to discuss his childhood upbringing resulting in his struggles with PTSD, ADHD, and bi-polar disorder.He continues to be an advocate for not just athletes but to everyone who struggles with mental health.[11]

See also

External links

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Notes and References

  1. [Fox Sports (United States)|Fox Sports]
  2. Web site: Omar Figueroa to Vacate 135 Title, Moving up to 140. 19 August 2014 .
  3. Web site: Omar Figueroa: Honestly Brutal and Brutally Honest - Boxing News . Boxingscene.com . 2012-01-06 . 2014-06-09.
  4. Web site: Omar Figueroa Stops Michael Perez After Six Rounds . Boxing News . Boxingscene.com . 2012-01-06 . 2014-06-09.
  5. Web site: Knockout Kings II: Full fight video highlights from action-packed card. 28 July 2013.
  6. http://www.premierboxingchampions.com/fighters PBC Fighters - Famous Boxers, Profiles and Upcoming Fights
  7. Web site: 2019-02-17 . Omar Figueroa Jr. outhustles John Molina Jr. in slugfest to remain undefeated . 2022-04-01 . The Ring.
  8. Web site: Ugas vs Figueroa Jr - News, Tape, Ringwalk, TV, Streaming & Tickets . 2022-04-01 . Box.Live . en-US.
  9. Web site: Figueroa Jr vs Ramos - News, Tape, Ringwalk, TV, Streaming & Tickets . 2022-04-01 . Box.Live . en-US.
  10. Web site: Idec . Keith . Abel Ramos Breaks Down, Stops Omar Figueroa in Six Rounds . 2022-04-01 . BoxingScene.com . May 2021 . en-us.
  11. Web site: Brandon Figueroa is breaking and taking hearts. 6 January 2019 . Premier Boxing Champions. 2019-04-20.