BRANDON FIGUEROA CAPTURES WBC SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT WORLD TITLE

“It feels wonderful, this can be a dream come true,” mentioned Figueroa. “I do know everybody doubted me, however right here I’m with the belt. It’s all because of laborious work and dedication.”

The struggle between undefeated champions lived as much as its billing with Figueroa (22-0-1, 17 KOs) implementing his smothering technique early, forcing a firefight with Nery (31-1, 24 KOs) from the opening bell. Nery appeared to regulate a lot of the early motion, proudly owning edges in punches landed (209 to 177) and punch accuracy (34% to 27%) all through the struggle, based on CompuBox.

But it surely was the 24-year-old Figueroa’s persistence in coming ahead that ultimately started to put on on Nery. Higher fourth and sixth rounds for Figueroa confirmed cracks in Nery’s armor and had been a harbinger for what would come quickly after.

“The plan was to interrupt him,” mentioned Figueroa. “My nook instructed me to strain him and that he wouldn’t final. That’s precisely what occurred. I knew he was getting drained, he was making an attempt to field me. I noticed him respiration heavy. My workforce simply mentioned it was time to go get him.”

Within the seventh spherical, Figueroa appeared to harm Nery early with a sequence of highly effective hooks, as Nery altered his technique and started to clinch. Persevering with to press inside, Figueroa was ultimately in a position to land the decisive punches within the type of a mix punctuated by a left hook to the physique.

“You noticed tonight what I can do,” mentioned Figueroa. “I introduced it to him and the laborious work paid off. We did our homework. We did a terrific job within the health club and simply took it to him.”

Nery had a delayed response to the highly effective physique shot, however as soon as he hit the canvas, he was unable to beat referee Thomas Taylor’s rely, ending the struggle 2:18 into the spherical. Figueroa’s triumph units him up for a unification showdown on Saturday, September 11 on SHOWTIME in opposition to WBO 122-pound champion Stephen Fulton Jr., who joined Figueroa within the ring after the struggle.

“Nice efficiency by Brandon tonight,” mentioned Fulton. “That’s what I predicted would occur. That is my time now although. I’ve been ready for this second to lastly struggle Brandon. I knew that Brandon would struggle how he all the time fights. I’m simply prepared for my time in opposition to him. We’re going to placed on a hell of a efficiency. Congratulations to him tonight, however I’m coming subsequent.”

Within the co-main occasion, former tremendous bantamweight unified world champion Danny Roman (29-3-1, 10 KOs) dominated the second half of the struggle to win a 10-round unanimous resolution over Ricardo Espinoza (25-4, 21 KOs).

“This win is a step nearer to getting again on high and getting a world title as soon as once more,” mentioned Roman. “I knew he was a tricky fighter who hit laborious, so I needed to struggle good and make changes.”

After a detailed first half of the struggle, the Los Angeles native Roman started to determine the awkward and hard-charging assault of Mexico’s Espinoza. In spherical seven, Roman related on a vicious mixture of double left uppercuts, punctuated by a sweeping left hook, that bloodied the nostril of Espinoza.

“I felt good general in there,” mentioned Espinoza. “I may have pressured him a bit extra and closed his angles, however it was a great struggle. Danny is a tricky fighter who withstood plenty of photographs to the pinnacle. He’s a top quality fighter.”

Espinoza had really out landed Roman 124 to 119 throughout the primary six rounds of the struggle earlier than Roman’s changes led to a 101 to 66 edge in punches landed in his favor throughout the ultimate 4 frames.

“I began to get my distance and began combating my struggle and controlling the ring,” mentioned Roman. “As soon as I did that, every part began to fall into place. I used to be stunned he went the gap, however he has plenty of coronary heart. He’s a tricky fighter.”

The bloodied nostril instantly grew to become a goal for Roman, as Espinoza needed to be checked by the physician earlier than starting the ninth spherical earlier than persevering with to take the brunt of the punishment within the struggle. Roman’s efficiency within the second half of the duel was sufficient to offer him the victory, as he prevailed on all three judges’ scorecards with tallies of 97-92 and 98-92 twice. All three judges gave Roman the ultimate six rounds of the struggle.

“I’m the necessary so I need a title shot now,” added Roman after his victory. “I need the winner of the principle occasion.”

Within the opening bout of the telecast, rising tremendous featherweight contender Xavier Martinez (17-0, 11 KOs) remained unbeaten with a unanimous resolution victory over former title challenger Juan Carlos Burgos (34-5-2, 21 KOs) in an action-packed 10-round struggle.

“I may have boxed him extra however I needed to offer the followers motion,” mentioned Martinez. “There’s nothing to complain about – I obtained the victory. I made it more durable on myself however I’ll be taught from it. It’s again to the drafting board however it’s a terrific victory.”

“I’m pleased and excited to placed on a great present,” mentioned Burgos. “All in all, I’m simply glad that the followers loved the struggle.”

The veteran Burgos seemed to press his opponent from the outset, however Martinez was as much as the duty and located spots to land counter left hooks early and infrequently. Martinez rode his counterpunching success to a 294 to 245 benefit in energy photographs landed all through a struggle that was dominated by energy punches.

“I wasn’t stunned he got here ahead,” mentioned Martinez. “He’s a tricky competitor. I thank him for taking the struggle, he was robust as hell. These sorts of fights are going to assist me get higher.”

Martinez additionally held the sting in accuracy, touchdown 37% of his punches to his opponent’s 31% join price. It was the physique assault that stored Burgos within the struggle, as his greatest moments got here when racking up his 54 to 44 lead in physique photographs landed.

“He was a terrific opponent,” mentioned Burgos. “I used to be introduced in on late discover simply two weeks prematurely. That’s not an excuse however simply the truth. Martinez fought a hell of a struggle. He’s undoubtedly the most effective opponents I’ve ever confronted.”

The 2 males punctuated their motion struggle with wild exchanges within the 10^th spherical, as Martinez landed large photographs that appeared to solely make Burgos extra desperate to proceed pushing ahead. After the ultimate bell, all three judges noticed the struggle in favor of Martinez, by the rating of 99-91 thrice. SHOWTIME’s unofficial ringside scorer Steve Farhood scored the struggle 98-92.

“I used to be stunned by the scores,” mentioned Burgos. “I didn’t assume I solely received one spherical. The general public opinion and the truth that the followers had been booing is what I take with me in the present day. The followers spoke louder than the playing cards. I’m glad to have given them an thrilling struggle.”

“It was a enjoyable struggle,” mentioned Martinez. “I do know the followers loved the struggle. I assumed I may have achieved higher, however I used to be touchdown clear, laborious photographs all through. Even when he was throwing, I used to be slipping plenty of them and catching him. I confirmed I can cling in there with robust fighters.”

Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will replay Sunday, Could 16 at 9 a.m. ET/PT and Monday, Could 17 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME.

ABOUT NERY VS. FIGUEROA

Within the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING co-feature, former unified tremendous bantamweight world champion Danny Roman confronted Ricardo Espinoza in a 10-round battle at 122 kilos, whereas undefeated rising star Xavier Martinez met former world title challenger Juan Carlos Burgos in an excellent featherweight struggle scheduled for 10 rounds to open the telecast.

The occasion was promoted by TGB Promotions. Martinez vs. Burgos was promoted in affiliation with Mayweather Promotions.