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Brandon Figueroa Training Camp Quotes
Fresh off a championship-winning performance in his
opponent’s hometown, WBA Featherweight World Champion
Brandon “The Heartbreaker” Figueroa plans to deliver a
sensational follow-up when he takes on former champion
Tomoki Kameda in the co-main event of “The Fight” live on
TNT and DAZN on Saturday, October 17 from The Chelsea at The
Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and presented by Premier Boxing
Champions.
“If you saw me go up against all odds in Liverpool, you can
imagine what I’m gonna do to defend my belt in Las Vegas,”
said Figueroa (27-2-1, 20 KOs). “I’m coming with everything
on October 17. I’m here to stay. I want to unify and fight
the best. There’s no style like mine. Tune in, you will be
entertained.”
Already a two-division world champion, Figueroa captured his
WBA crown by going overseas to dethrone Nick Ball in a
high-octane clash that saw the Weslaco, Texas native close
the show in style with an emphatic stoppage in the final
round. Heading into the fight, Figueroa was buoyed by his
underdog status as tabbed by the boxing public ahead of the
February clash.
“For the Ball fight I was really motivated by the fact that
he hadn’t fought anyone like me,” said Figueroa. “I
showcased that in February. I already knew those fans were
gonna be in for a surprise. I’m no pushover and I’m not
someone that you’re gonna look good against. I’m gonna make
it a tough fight and I’m gonna be in your face the whole
night.”
On top of that added motivation, Figueroa was aided by his
renowned trainer Manny Robles, who in just their second
fight together helped bring out a new side of Figueroa’s
skill set that led him to one of the best victories of his
career.
“Manny just made sure I was being smart,” said Figueroa.
“Previously I was just going out there and showcasing my
will. With Manny he would tell me that he knows I have
heart, but it’s time to use your intelligence. He always
says that I can box. He made me believe in my boxing skills
more. I’ve benefited a lot from him. We have great chemistry
together and with his whole team. We’re a unit and we’re
gonna keep showcasing that.
“Manny’s guidance, intelligence and experience has been
vital to me. He’s an old-school coach and I just keep
learning from him every day. He’s very strategic and he
trains me accordingly. I’m just like a sponge learning
anything I can from him.”
On October 17, Figueroa will be facing an opponent with whom
he’s crossed paths with before, as Kameda engaged in the
first of two memorable battles against Jamie McDonnell on
May 9, 2015 in Texas on the same card that featured Figueroa
winning in his pro debut. Still fighting at the top of the
sport, having recently lost a competitive decision to IBF
Featherweight World Champion Angelo, Figueroa knows he’ll
have to combat Kameda’s considerable experience to emerge
victorious.
“Kameda is a veteran fighter, and a gritty fighter,” said
Figueroa. “He’s got a lot of fights under his belt. He’s got
years of experience over me, so we don’t take anything away
from him. We’ve been watching his fights and breaking down
what he does. I feel like they’re gonna try to box me and
emulate what Stephen Fulton Jr. did against me. He’ll be
prepared 100%, but I have to go out there and do my job and
defend my belt.”
Although he emphasized that his focus remains fully on
Kameda, Figueroa knows that matchups against the 126-pound
division’s fellow champions are squarely in his grasp with a
victory on October 17. When comparing himself to those
fellow champions, Figueroa believes that his own experience
over the last decade give him a chance to emerge as the
clear king of the featherweight division.
“Whoever is lined up for me, Manny and I will go to the
drawing board and get ourselves ready,” said Figueroa. “I
obviously want the best of the best. If I have the
opportunity to fight everyone and unify, it would be an
honor. I feel like I have the most experience out of all the
champions, with Angelo Leo right under me. I think my resume
and the fighters that I’ve fought speaks for itself.”
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