Unbeaten super bantamweight Brandon Figueroa shared his thoughts on his coming match-up against Venezuela's Yonfrez Parejo that takes place Saturday, April 20th at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. Fox will broadcast. Trained by his father Omar Figueroa Sr. at their gym in their native Weslaco, Texas, Brandon credited their hard work in the gym as leading to his most recent victories, knockout wins over Moises Flores and Oscar Escandon. "I feel like my power has really come together in the last year," said Figueroa. "We've worked hard on my positioning when I throw my punches, especially to the body, and the results have shown up in my fights. I'm more aggressive and my punches are just more in-tune.
"My confidence has continued to grow as well with these performances. Winning these fights the way I'm winning them has given me a boost and I've taken that into training camp. It's given me that energy to fight even better and believe in myself even more."
Parejo or Figueroa can capture a WBA interim 122-pound belt with a win on on April 20th. Parejo has challenged former champions Ryan Burnett, Hugo Ruiz and Zhanat Zhakiyanov.
"I'm facing a game opponent who's fought a lot of great fighters," said Figueroa. "I know he's a boxer who likes to jab and move. He's going to give me the straight right-left hook combo, so I have to attack the body. It's going to be a chess match to see how he deals with my pressure."
With this win, Figueroa could set himself up for even more significant bouts at the end of this year, a path that the 22-year-old envisions will eventually lead him to multiple weight-divisions. "I can only take it one fight at a time, but I believe I'm going to be on that world class level soon," said Figueroa. "Everything is going the way it's planned and I know if I stay focused and take care of business, I'll be fighting for a world title by the end of the year. The plan would eventually be to move up and continue to challenge myself at featherweight and even beyond that. I want to reach the top of several divisions. But that's for the future, and I can't look past April 20th."
The younger brother of unbeaten former lightweight title holder Omar Figueroa, Brandon made his pro debut in 2015 as an 18-year-old on the undercard of his brother's fight against Ricky Burns. "I'm still proving myself in every fight," said Figueroa. "I don't mind being talked about with my brother at all, but I think I've proven I'm more than Omar's little brother. I'm proud of what we've both accomplished and the legacy we're creating in Weslaco and the boxing world."
Riding a five-fight knockout streak into April 20, Figueroa plans to put on another signature action-packed performance for fight fans watching on Fox and Fox Deportes and at Dignity Health Sports Park. "I'm going to be the same Brandon Figueroa who comes forward and relentlessly attacks the body," said Figueroa. "This is one of the biggest fights of my career with this title on the line. I feel strong and ready. I can't wait for April 20."
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions and Mayweather Promotions, in association with DSG Promotions, are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at AXS.com or at the Dignity Health Sports Park box office from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
