Welterweight Quinton Randall is aiming to move into contender status when he takes on Janelson Figueroa Bocachica in his hometown of Houston tomorrow. Randall, 34, has wanted to face Bocachica since watching him fight a previous opponent, Brian Norman Jr.
The bout, which headlines a DAZN broadcast, will take place at the Red Owl Boxing Arena.
Randall (14-2-1, 3 KOs), who usually leaves home for training camps, stayed in Houston this time, working with coaches Bobby Benton and Aaron Navarro. The Houston-based team has a busy month ahead, with Austin Trout competing in a bare knuckle fight, Regis Prograis fighting Jack Catterall in the U.K. on Oct. 26, and O’Shaquie Foster seeking to regain his WBC junior lightweight title from Robson Concieciao on Nov. 2.
“Oh, this by far has been one of my better camps, probably the best camp I’ve ever had at home,” Randall said. “I usually leave for camp to avoid distractions, but this time, everything has been full-fledged, down to the science — the road work, swimming, strength and conditioning, boxing training, sparring, yoga, recovery, food, and hydration. Everything has been perfect. I’ve been stress-free.”
Randall lost to now-titleholder Norman in a lackluster unanimous decision last November, followed by another unanimous decision loss to Gor Yeritsyan in February. He bounced back in May with a local win in Humble, Texas, and is now looking to prove that those defeats were just simply lessons upon his journey.
“I learned a lot, man,” Randall said. “I learned to take care of my body. If you’re not feeling well, don’t fight. That loss will set you back. I’ve got a new coach, Bobby Benton, and everything’s been going great. I haven’t lost faith in myself.”
Bocachica (17-2-1, 11 KOs), 25, from Detroit, enters the fight after a no-contest against Norman in March, when an accidental foul led to the bout being stopped before the end of the fourth round. Before that, Bocachica went through a rough patch, losing consecutive unanimous decisions to Alberto Palmetta and Roiman Villa and drawing with Shinard Bunch in a fight many felt Bunch won.
“I see him as a solid, tough guy,” Randall said. “As far as him having a lot of skills, I don’t see a lot. But his style can upset someone like me if I don’t stay sharp and take him seriously.”
Randall’s fight with Bocachica is a result of his scheduled Oct. 6 bout in Dallas being postponed due to ticket issues. With his coaches unavailable for the rescheduled Oct. 26 date, Randall seized the opportunity to face Bocachica.
“I wanted to fight him after seeing his performance against Brian Norman Jr.,” Randall said. “Lo and behold, I’m fighting him. Everything happened for a reason.”