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Brandon Figueroa Training Camp Quotes
Former world champion and all-action fan-favorite Brandon
“The Heartbreaker” Figueroa expects to showcase his power
and speed when he moves up in weight and makes his 126-pound
debut against Carlos Castro in a WBC Featherweight Title
Eliminator that serves as the co-main event live on SHOWTIME
Saturday, July 9 from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas in
an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
“We’re looking to make a statement on July 9,” said
Figueroa. “Me not worrying about squeezing to make 122
pounds and really killing myself at the end of camp just
makes me more relaxed mentally. I feel fresher heading into
this fight and I just can’t wait to showcase that.
“I’m going to be a lot stronger and more explosive. If
people were impressed with my conditioning at 122, just
imagine what it’s going to be like at 126. Everyone is going
to see a better version of myself.”
After winning the WBC Super Bantamweight World Championship
by becoming the first person to defeat Luis Nery in May
2021, Figueroa followed that fight up with a thrilling
122-pound unification clash against Stephen Fulton Jr. last
November on SHOWTIME that was recognized as one of the best
fights of the year. Although Figueroa lost a narrow majority
decision in a fight that warranted a rematch, he stuck with
his decision to move up in weight.
“The decision to move up in weight had been made way before
the Fulton fight,” said Figueroa. “That has been in the
works for a long time. We were just waiting for the right
opportunity to move up. After the Fulton fight, I knew that
I was going to move up no matter what happened in that
fight.”
Figueroa still has his sights on a rematch with Fulton and
says that it will be better for all involved when it happens
at featherweight.
“I believe it will be better for both of us to do the
rematch at 126 pounds,” said Figueroa. “The Fulton rematch
is something that has to happen. It has to happen for the
fans, for me and Fulton, and to give everyone another ‘Fight
of the Year’.”
Although he was disappointed in the judges’ ruling in that
memorable fight, Figueroa has been able to take positives
from the experience and plans to use those improvements on
July 9 and going forward.
“I learned a lot from the Fulton fight and grew a lot
because of it,” said Figueroa. “I took the good from the bad
and kept moving on. We went back to the drawing board and
saw some things that we did like from that fight and saw
places where we could improve. I’ve been working on
adapting. I’ve learned to be a little more patient, more
technical, to use my distance better and capitalize on my
shots.”
For this fight, the Weslaco, Texas native has held his
training camp in San Antonio, where he’s been able to
receive sparring from fighters including super flyweight
world champion Joshua Franco. He has also been training
alongside his brother, former world champion Omar Figueroa
Jr., a setup that has added to his motivation in camp.
“This is something that I’ve been dreaming of since I was a
kid,” said Figueroa. “We’ve trained together in California
before but being back closer to home and working alongside
my brother is amazing. It’s us against the world. It’s a
beautiful opportunity for our family to get even closer and
be a unit together. This has been my favorite training camp
so far.”
In his featherweight debut, Figueroa will take on the
experienced Castro, who was unbeaten in his first 27 pro
fights before dropping a split-decision to Luis Nery in
February. Castro’s journey to fight night mirrors Figueroa’s
in that they’re both coming off their first career defeats
and are moving up in weight. For Figueroa, he believes this
will only add to the excitement for everyone watching.
“Castro is a great fighter,” said Figueroa. “He’s patient
and very technical. There are some things that I have to do
to take that away from him and put the pressure on him, like
I do so well. I know he’s going to come to fight with a lot
to prove. We’re both coming off fresh losses and moving up
in weight, so I know we’re stepping into that ring to make a
statement.”
With a victory on July 9, Figueroa can move himself into a
position to challenge the winner of the night’s main event
between unbeaten WBC Featherweight World Champion Mark
Magsayo and undefeated former world champion Rey Vargas.
Figueroa offered up his thoughts on that fight and promised
that no matter who he eventually faces, he’ll be ready to
deliver another of his signature fan-friendly performances.
“The main event is going to be a good, close fight,” said
Figueroa. “It just comes down to who’s smarter. If Magsayo
puts the right pressure on, he can win. If Vargas keeps his
distance well and boxes him, I feel like Vargas will win.
It’s a matter of who the smarter fighter is and who adapts
better in the ring.
“I think me fighting whoever wins the main event would be a
very exciting fight. It would be fireworks. Every time I’m
in the mix, I come to fight at 110%. I don’t back down. With
either fighter, it would be an amazing night of boxing.”
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