It has been nearly two years since Omar Figueroa Jr’s last fight.
There was a lot of consideration over that period where the former lightweight titlist believed there would never be a next one.
“Those thoughts crossed my mind, absolutely,” Figueroa admitted during a recent Zoom media conference call to discuss his upcoming welterweight bout with Abel Ramos. “When you’re facing the top guys in the sports, and doing it injured, knowing you’re not 100%, the weight of it all just becomes unbearable at times.”
Somewhere between the burden of a 12-round loss to Yordenis Ugas in July 2019 and present day, Figueroa (28-1-1, 19KOs) had a considerable change of heart. The 31-year-old from Weslaco, Texas decided to recommit to the sport, leading to a crossroads bout with Ramos (26-4-2, 20KOs), a battle-tested veteran who is also coming off of a loss to Ugas in his last fight.
“I just needed to reset, regroup and give my body time to heal,” insists Figueroa, who held a version of the lightweight title in 2014 before moving up to junior welterweight and eventually welterweight. “Leaving the sport obviously was an option.
“I didn’t know if I could do it again, bearing that weight, the injuries and all that. That all seems to be behind me. I feel as close to 100% as I’ve ever felt. I’m excited to see if my body holds up until then.”
The scheduled 12-round welterweight bout will take place May 1, live on Fox Sports Pay-Per-View from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. Heavyweights Andy Ruiz (33-2, 22KOs) and Chris Arreola (38-6-1, 33KOs) collide in the 12-round main event.
Figueroa was unbeaten prior to his July 2019 bout with Ugas, with his last win coming five months prior to that point in a 10-round decision over John Molina Jr. The general perception is that his career seems to have lost its aim ever since moving up from lightweight in 2015, showing up over the limit for an eventual 12-round win over former three-division titlist Ricky Burns and then a career-heaviest 151 pounds in a Dec. 2015 win over Antonio DeMarco where the contracted weight—originally 140—was changed late in fight week.
From there came a 19-month gap between fights before sending Robert Guerrero into retirement following a 3rd round knockout in their July 2017 welterweight clash. Another 19 months would pass before facing Molina, followed by the loss to Ugas. More than 19 months later comes what Figueroa hopes is the final restart in his career, believing that the worst is long behind him.
“It’s safe to say that these past two years have been rock bottom for me,” admits Figueroa. “It’s not just in the sense of boxing but in everything. My life has been boxing. Ever since I was 3 or 4 years old, this has been my life.
“The thought of taking a loss was something that never crossed my mind until it actually happened. Dealing with it changed everything. That “1” in the loss column gave me a different perspective on the sport and in life. I can honestly say that I’m much better because of it. You’ll see May 1.”
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox