Omar Figueroa Jr.
Born (1989-12-13) December 13, 1989
Weslaco, Texas, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Other namesPanterita
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 7+1⁄2 in (171 cm)[1]
Reach73 in (185 cm)[1]
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights32
Wins28
Wins by KO19
Losses3
Draws1

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

32 fights 28 wins 3 losses
By knockout 19 2
By decision 8 1
By disqualification 1 0
Draws 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
32 Loss 28–3–1 Sergey Lipinets RTD 8 (12), 3:00 Aug 20, 2022 Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood, Florida, U.S.
31 Loss 28–2–1 Abel Ramos RTD 6 (12), 3:00 May 1, 2021 Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California, U.S.
30 Loss 28–1–1 Yordenis Ugás UD 12 Jul 20, 2019 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
29 Win 28–0–1 John Molina Jr. UD 10 Feb 16, 2019 Microsoft Theater, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
28 Win 27–0–1 Robert Guerrero TKO 3 (10), 1:30 Jul 15, 2017 Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, New York, U.S.
27 Win 26–0–1 Antonio DeMarco UD 12 Dec 12, 2015 AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
26 Win 25–0–1 Ricky Burns UD 12 May 9, 2015 State Farm Arena, Hidalgo, Texas, U.S.
25 Win 24–0–1 Daniel Estrada KO 9 (12), 1:00 Aug 16, 2014 StubHub Center, Carson, California, U.S. Retained WBC lightweight title
24 Win 23–0–1 Jerry Belmontes SD 12 Apr 26, 2014 StubHub Center, Carson, California, U.S. Retained WBC lightweight title
23 Win 22–0–1 Nihito Arakawa UD 12 Jul 27, 2013 AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. Won WBC interim lightweight title
22 Win 21–0–1 Abner Cotto KO 1 (10), 2:57 Apr 20, 2013 Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. Won WBC FECARBOX, vacant WBA–NABA and WBC Silver interim lightweight titles
21 Win 20–0–1 Henry Aurad KO 1 (8), 0:47 Mar 2, 2013 Our Lady of the Lake University Gym, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
20 Win 19–0–1 Dominic Salcido UD 10 Jul 12, 2012 U.S. Bank Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
19 Win 18–0–1 Alain Hernandez TKO 1 (8), 1:34 Jun 23, 2012 Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
18 Win 17–0–1 Tyler Ziolkowski KO 1 (6), 2:00 Jun 2, 2012 Home Depot Center, Carson, California, U.S.
17 Win 16–0–1 Robbie Cannon TKO 2 (8), 2:08 May 5, 2012 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
16 Win 15–0–1 Ramon Ayala KO 2 (10), 2:53 Mar 16, 2012 Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S.
15 Win 14–0–1 Michael Pérez RTD 6 (10), 3:00 Jan 6, 2012 Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S. Won vacant WBO Youth Intercontinental lightweight title
14 Win 13–0–1 Marcos Herrera KO 2 (8), 1:19 Aug 28, 2011 UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
13 Win 12–0–1 Eric Cruz UD 8 Jun 17, 2011 State Farm Arena, Hidalgo, Texas, U.S.
12 Win 11–0–1 John Figueroa KO 2 (8), 2:05 Apr 23, 2011 Nokia Theatre L.A. Live, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
11 Draw 10–0–1 Arturo Quintero SD 8 Nov 12, 2010 State Farm Arena, Hidalgo, Texas, U.S.
10 Win 10–0 Julian Rodriguez DQ 2 (6), 1:15 Jun 18, 2010 Events Center, McAllen, Texas, U.S. Rodriguez disqualified for repeated low blows
9 Win 9–0 Edgar Portillo UD 6 Mar 27, 2010 The Joint, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
8 Win 8–0 Anthony Woods TKO 2 (4), 1:46 Dec 12, 2009 UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 Jeremy Marts TKO 1 (4), 1:54 Aug 22, 2009 Toyota Center, Houston, Texas, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 Jorge de Leon TKO 3 (6), 1:36 Jun 4, 2009 Events Center, Pharr, Texas, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 Ramiro Torres TKO 1 (4), 1:59 May 15, 2009 Casa de Amistad, Harlingen, Texas, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 Daniel Garcia TKO 3 (8), 1:10 Feb 27, 2009 Casa de Amistad, Harlingen, Texas, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Arturo Herrera TKO 2 (4), 1:20 Nov 21, 2008 Casa de Amistad, Harlingen, Texas, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Joe Reyes TKO 1 (4), 2:59 Oct 18, 2008 Casa de Amistad, Harlingen, Texas, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Edwin Espinoza KO 1 (4), 0:25 Jun 21, 2008 Rio Grande Valley Harley Davidson, McAllen, Texas, U.S.

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

References

  1. 1 2 Fox Sports tale of the tape prior to the John Molina Jr. fight.
  2. ↑ "Omar Figueroa to Vacate 135 Title, Moving up to 140".
  3. ↑ "Omar Figueroa: Honestly Brutal and Brutally Honest - Boxing News". Boxingscene.com. 2012-01-06. Retrieved 2014-06-09.
  4. ↑ "Omar Figueroa Stops Michael Perez After Six Rounds". Boxingscene.com. Boxing News. 2012-01-06. Retrieved 2014-06-09.
  5. ↑ "Knockout Kings II: Full fight video highlights from action-packed card". 28 July 2013.
  6. ↑ PBC Fighters - Famous Boxers, Profiles and Upcoming Fights
  7. ↑ "Omar Figueroa Jr. outhustles John Molina Jr. in slugfest to remain undefeated". The Ring. 2019-02-17. Retrieved 2022-04-01.
  8. ↑ "Ugas vs Figueroa Jr - News, Tape, Ringwalk, TV, Streaming & Tickets". Box.Live. Retrieved 2022-04-01.
  9. ↑ "Figueroa Jr vs Ramos - News, Tape, Ringwalk, TV, Streaming & Tickets". Box.Live. Retrieved 2022-04-01.
  10. ↑ Idec, Keith. "Abel Ramos Breaks Down, Stops Omar Figueroa in Six Rounds". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2022-04-01.
  11. ↑ "Brandon Figueroa is breaking and taking hearts". Premier Boxing Champions. Retrieved 2019-04-20.
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
New title WBO Youth Intercontinental
lightweight champion
January 6, 2012 – April 2013
Vacated		 Title discontinued
Vacant
Title last held by
Dorin Spivey 		WBA–NABA lightweight champion
April 20, 2013 – July 2013
Vacated		 Vacant
Title next held by
Samuel Kotey Neequaye
New title WBC Silver lightweight champion
Interim title
April 20, 2013 – July 27, 2013
Won interim world title		 Vacant
Preceded by WBC FECARBOX
lightweight champion
April 20, 2013 – May 2013
Vacated		 Vacant
Title next held by
Anthony Lora
World boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Antonio DeMarco 		WBC lightweight champion
Interim title
July 27, 2013 – January 27, 2014
Promoted		 Vacant
Title next held by
Devin Haney
Preceded by WBC lightweight champion
January 27, 2014 – November 10, 2014
Status changed		 Vacant
Title next held by
Jorge Linares
Honorary boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Edwin Valero 		WBC lightweight champion
In recess
November 10, 2014 – October 2015
Stripped		 Vacant
Title next held by
Jorge Linares
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