Undefeated star Omar “Panterita” Figueroa hosted a media roundtable Wednesday at ChampionFit Boxing Gym in San Antonio as he prepares for his Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on NBC primetime battle against Antonio DeMarco taking place Saturday, December 12 from the newly renovated AT&T Center.
Also in attendance at Wednesday’s event was Omar’s brother and bantamweight prospect Brandon Figueroa and undefeated San Antonio prospect Mario Barrios who are competing in separate undercard bouts to be features on NBCSN.
OMAR FIGUEROA
“Fans are going to see what they always see from me on December 12. I’m going to go out and give them a great show.
“Mentally, knowing that my body feels good, it makes everything better. I sparred for the first time in two years yesterday and I felt great. I almost cried I felt so good. It was a good feeling.
“I am hoping that 2016 is a healthy year and that I get big fights because I know I’m going to be a lot better next year.
“This is a really solid matchup. It’s typical Mexican fighters, we both like to brawl. He’s more of a boxer and I know he’ll try to keep me on the outside. My job is to get on the inside, rough him up and make it my kind of fight.”
MARIO BARRIOS
“Fans should expect a very exciting fight on December 12. I’m so happy to be fighting at home and it motivates me to go out there and put on a great show.
“My strengths are definitely my reach and the range I can keep people at. Combined with speed and power, it’s dangerous.
“2015 has been a great year. I’ve been really busy and I’m happy with the way my career has gone this year.
“We’re improving in camp with every fight and working on everything we can. My team is tremendous.”
BRANDON FIGUEROA
“It’s a real honor to fight on a card headlined by my brother. I’ve always looked up to him and now as I start my pro career, I can see what he’s accomplished and try to live up to it.
“I want to be known as an exciting fighter like my brother. We aren’t afraid to leave it all in the ring. I’m going to give everything I have to put on a great show.
“Hopefully I can be successful on December 12 and end the year on a high note. It’s going to be a big 2016 for the Figueroa brothers.”
JESSE JAMES LEIJA, Texas Boxing Legend & Promoter
“This fight just makes sense in San Antonio. The fans here support big fights and they love boxing.
“I’ve always believed that Mexican-Americans carry the sport of boxing. That’s our passion. We just love to watch good fights. Fights like these are why we started promoting fights. We want to bring even more big fights to San Antonio.
“There’s nothing like watching a live fight in person. This fight could be anywhere in the U.S., but it’s right here in San Antonio. I know when I fought here and when other huge fights have happened here, the reaction from fans has been great.
“I am who I am because of what the sport of boxing gave to me. Now that I’m able to give back to the sport, we want to bring the best fights to San Antonio. I’m proud to be a part of this event.”
