By Ian S Palmer
WBC Lightweight kingpin Omar Figueroa Jr. Texas of steps into the ring at the StubHub Center in Carson, California this Saturday, August 16 when he faces Daniel Estrada of Mexico. The 12-round title bout can be seen live on the Showtime Network in America and on Super Channel in Canada. The unbeaten 24-year-old Figueroa will climb into the ring with a record of 23-0-1 along with 17 Kos while the 29-year-old Estrada is 32-2-1 with 24 Kos.
The champion has changed trainers as he’s no longer using Joel Diaz. Instead, he’s being prepared by his father, Omar Figueroa Sr. The champion last defended his belt in April with a close split decision over Jerry Belmontes. He won the title in his previous bout when he beat Nihito Arakawa of Japan in an entertaining slugfest in July of 2013. The only time Figueroa’s hand wasn’t held up in victory was back in 2010 when he fought to a split-decision draw against Arturo Quintero. Since then he’s 13-0 with 9 Kos.
Estrada is also on a pretty good roll as he’s won nine straight fights with five of them coming within the distance. His last contest was in December when he stopped Hugo Armenta in the third round. Estrada’s last defeat was in 2010 when Reyes Sanchez beat him by a split decision. The challenger is working with trainer Nacho Beristain to get ready for the bout against Figueroa and he’s also working out with Juan Manuel Marquez, the former four-division champion.
Estrada said he’s confident he’ll be able to beat Figueroa and he’s never been more motivated for a fight since this one’s for the title. He’s been the WBC’s mandatory challenger for quite some time and now feels it’s his turn to shine in the spotlight. Whoever wins between Figueroa and Estrada will likely have to face off against former two-division champion Jorge Linares of Mexico as he’s the next mandatory challenger. However, Linares has to get by Ira Terry first, with that fight also being held at the StubHub Center this Saturday.
Estrada stands 5-foot-10-inches tall and turned pro back in 2004. His other loss came to Jose Emilio Perea by a four-round split decision in 2005 in his fourth pro contest. This will actually be his first fight outside of Mexico. Figueroa has a 2.5-inch height disadvantage. He has slightly more experience though in big fights since he faced somewhat better opposition overall since turning pro in 2008.
Prediction
Both of these guys have pretty good power and this should be an exciting fight with a lot of punches thrown. They’ve also got good chins so this could go several rounds, if not the distance. Look for plenty of action with Estrada’s chance at taking the title being by a KO. But if Figueroa can handle his power he’ll still be the champion at the end of the fight by close decision or late stoppage.
