Former lightweight champion and current light welterweight contender, Omar Figueroa Jr, is looking to make some big moves in the sport and he is starting with a move up in weight to face former champion, Robert Guerrero. The fight will test Figueroa’s undefeated record in what amounts to the biggest fight of his career.
I recently had a chance to speak with Omar Figueroa Jr. and I got his thoughts on his return to boxing after a 19-month layoff and I talk to him about the challenges ahead of him. Omar speaks on the Robert Guerrero fight and about what he expects from ‘The Ghost’ when they meet in the ring this weekend. Additionally, Figueroa gives his official prediction for the Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor fight. Here is what Omar Figueroa had to say.
Robert Brown: How has your preparation and training been going for your upcoming fight with Robert Guerrero?
Omar Figueroa: Everything is going great. God willing things continue to go smoothly. I finally am having a good camp and my weight is coming down without a hitch. I’m fighting at 147lbs, so I knew it was going to be a little bit easier, but things are going great. I’m very pleased with the camp that I’m having.
Robert Brown: You have been out of the ring for a while and have had several injuries. Are you confident that you are on top of those issues now?
Omar Figueroa: Yes. I still have two weeks left of camp and you never know, but God willing nothing happens in these last two weeks, but we can never be sure. I’m just hoping that things continue to go smoothly and that camp continues to go without a hitch. I’m super confident in my abilities, and as long as I’m able to train and be in shape and on weight, everything it going to be okay.
Robert Brown: You’re coming up two weight divisions, how do you think you will feel at 147lbs?
Omar Figueroa: I don’t plan on staying at welterweight, this is a one time deal. I have been out for a while, so my team agreed that fighting at 147 and not killing myself going lower would be the best thing to do for now. After this fight, I hope to go down at 140 and try to win a title there, before I ultimately move up any further in weight.
(Listen to the full interview here)
Robert Brown: What do you think will be your strengths against Robert Guerrero? What do you feel are some of his weaknesses that you will be able to exploit?
Omar Figueroa: I don’t really know how Guerrero fights, I just know that he’s a crafty left handed fighter. Obviously I’m not looking past him at all. I’m getting a little bit of nerves because I know that Robert Guerrero is a world class fighter and he’s been in the ring with the best. If there’s one thing I know, it’s that experience ultimately rules over strength or height or any physical advantage that we may have.
Aside from my strength, I feel that my work rate and my ring IQ are what are going to bring this fight afloat for me. Like I said, I don’t really know how Guerrero fights, so I can’t really speak on his weaknesses, but I know he’s a very skilled and crafty fighter. I’m going into this fight expecting the best Guerrero I could possibly face, especially since he’s coming off of a long layoff as well. He’s been giving his body and mind a break and he’s coming back stronger than ever.
Robert Brown: How do you think the fight is going to play out? What is your prediction for the match?
Omar Figueroa: God willing, I hope that I’m going to come out with a victory. I don’t go into a fight wanting to lose. I feel that my work rate is what is going to keep me afloat and give me the win.
Robert Brown: Do you think you have the ability to stop Guerrero or do you think it will end up going to a decision?
Omar Figueroa: Guerrero has never been stopped and he’s been in the ring with some of the biggest names in boxing, so that’s a bold prediction but I feel like I could stop him. If I can overwhelm him, I think my body work could do some damage as well. I’m not counting out the possible stoppage but I am planning for a twelve round war.
Robert Brown: What are your thoughts on the fight between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor? Do you think the fight is bad for the sport?
Omar Figueroa: First off, I just want to say that I congratulate those guys because that is a epitome of boxing and being an athlete. You want to make the most money for the least amount of work but I feel that the fight is a joke, I feel like that fight is a slap in the face.
I know that fans want to see that fight, but it is a joke. I have no other PG-13 words to be able to describe that match up. Like I said, I’m happy for them and everyone who is involved, they’re going to make a lot of money. As for the fans and other boxers like myself, I feel that it is a complete joke. Anyone that knows boxing knows that the fight is a complete joke.
Guerrero has almost be stopped a few times and hes showing major slipping. I think he will get stopped in this fight and I think it will be the ref that saves him
As for his thoughts on THE GHOST, I don’t think it’s possible. He has taken shots from huge punchers, but I do think he can win lopsided. On the subject of Mayweather-Horn, he is 1000% RIGHT, That fight is a joke.