Damien Vazquez has said that he plans to make his fight against Brandon Figueroa on Sept. 26 a “Mexican War.” That works for Figueroa.
The junior featherweight contender has built his reputation and winning record largely by getting the better of his opponents in toe-to-toe exchanges. If that’s what Vazquez wants, Figueroa said, he’s happy to oblige him.
Figueroa and Vazquez are scheduled to fight on the pay-per-view card featuring the Charlo brothers in Uncasville, Conn.
“I feel like the action fighting has been my style and game plan since day one,” said Figueroa (20-0-1, 15 KOs). “But I obviously believe I’d also have an advantage boxing him at distance. So he can say whatever he wants, I don’t think he’s going to want to go toe-to-toe with me. I can guarantee you he’ll regret that.
“I see this as the biggest opportunity of my career, and Vazquez is standing in my way. This is my chance to show everyone why I’m one of the best fighters in the world.”
Figueroa’s willingness to engage his opponents almost backfired in his most recent fight, a brutal split draw against Julio Ceja on the Deontay Wilder-Luis Ortiz card on Nov. 23.
Ceja came in a whopping 4½ pounds over the 122-pound limit, which technically made him a junior lightweight. Plus, Figueroa said, he was at less than 100 percent because of minor injuries.
Still, Figueroa, who weighed 122, went through with the fight, which turned into the taxing Mexican War Vazquez described.
“Heading into my last fight, I had some injuries that I was dealing with,” Figueroa said. “But with this pandemic and the quarantine, I got a chance to recover and fully heal. I’ve never had this much time between fights, so I feel great now and I’m prepared for this fight. I’m just anxious to fight at this point.
“I don’t take anything away from Ceja, though. He came to fight. But we learn from every fight. What I took away from it was that even at the worst moment of my career, I didn’t lose. I’m a different fighter now, though. I’m healthy heading into this upcoming fight and I feel like everyone is going to see a different type of Brandon Figueroa.”
And if he beats Vazquez (15-1-1, 8 KOs)?
“At this point, I feel like any fight with me against a top 122-pounder is a great fight,” he said. “I’m willing to mix it up with any of them. I honestly don’t care who wants to fight me, I’ll take any of them to put on a great show for the fans.
“My team knows that as well. So hopefully after September 26 we can make a great fight with any of the other top fighters in my division.”
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