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]
| Omar Figueroa Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Nickname(s) | Panterita |
| Weight(s) |
|
| Height | 5 ft 7+1⁄2 in (171 cm)[1] |
| Reach | 73 in (185 cm)[1] |
| Nationality | American |
| Born | (1989-12-13) December 13, 1989 (age 32) Weslaco, Texas, U.S. |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 32 |
| Wins | 28 |
| Wins by KO | 19 |
| Losses | 3 |
| Draws | 1 |
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]
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:
In 2015, Figueroa defeated former world titlist Ricky Burns via unanimous decision at the State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, Texas[6]
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]
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]
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]
| 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. |
Omar who is of Mexican descent, is the older brother of former boxing champion Brandon Figueroa.[11]
| 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 | ||