Omar Figueroa vs Eric Cruz
Next up is the main event on Solo Boxeo featuring baby-faced lightweight prospect Omar Figueroa (11-0-1, 9 KOs) against Eric Cruz (12-6-3, 12 KOs). Despite four years of high school Spanish I have no idea what the announcers are saying beyond the fact they seem fairly excited about Figueroa. Hopefully that KO percentage is the result of surprising power and not just poor competition.
The 21-year-old Figueroa enters with a live singer performing some sort of Spanish song and wearing a sparkly red vest. Cruz looks unimpressed. Figueroa doesn’t look old enough to shave. The crowd in Hidalgo, Texas clearly favors the young Mexican against his Puerto Rican oppponent. Omar has a two inch advantage in height and reach, while Cruz is two years older. Round-by-round updates after the jump:
Round 1: Both fighters using their jabs to start, Omar’s looks to have more behind it. Figueroa’s attack is very conventional and Cruz is timing him coming in, but Omar is still landing straight rights. Figueroa switches to southpaw halfway through the round and looks comfortable fighting that way. Tough round to score, we have it even.
Round 2: These two are showing an increasing willingness to stand in the middle of the ring and trade, which is always a welcome site to fight fans. Figueroa is showing the courage typical of Mexican fighters and he appears to have Cruz hurt and backed up into the ropes. The kid can get careless at times though and he leaves himself open to the counter by dropping his hands. We give Omar the slight edge. 20-19 Figueroa.
Round 3: Figueroa is doing some damage with that lead left hook of his; it wouldn’t surprise us if he’s a natural southpaw. He switches back and forth in his stance every round but does so effectively, unlike many fighters that employ the tactic. It’s difficult to tell which hand is stronger. Cruz is getting caught on the ropes, where he does well to keep Omar from panding too many blows. 30-28 Figueroa.
Round 4: Figueroa switched to southpaw almost immediately this round; it looks like he’s a lefty. His defense leaves something to be desired but the kid has guts and wants to fight. Cruz is getting all he can handle right now. His punches don’t see to faze Omar. Round ends with furious action, Figueroa still getting the best of it 40-37.
Round 5: Omar bullies Eric back into the ropes and punishes him to the body. He knows how to fight on the inside, even though he takes too many shots. This fight is tremendous. Cruz lands a big shot and appears to have affected Figueroa for the first time. Close round, score it for Cruz. 49-47 Figueroa.
Round 6: Much less action and more feeling out this round. Neither fighter has landed much of anything, Cruz warned for hitting on the break. Figueroa comes back with some solid left hands. Cruz responds with his right. Figueroa may have pulled it out at the end, but we score the round even. 59-57 Figueroa.
Round 7: This fight is still up for grabs by our scoring, though both fighters are showing signs of fatigue. Cruz looks to have the stronger legs at this point but Figueroa is trying to fight through it. Omar pushes Cruz against the ropes and is unloading everything he has on him. He’s got Cruz hurt and forces him to tie up.
Figueroa may not be very experienced but he’s got tremendous heart. Cruz catches him with a straight right as he backs up. Fantastic action that round. 69-66 Figueroa.
Round 8: Final round and Cruz likely needs at least a knockdown to even the scorecards. Considering the setting he probably needs a stoppage if he wants to go home a winner. Figueroa has no intention of just lasting this final round; he’s still out there trading much like his countryman Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. last weekend.
The similarities between the two art striking, from their lanky frames and ability to fight inside to their teen idol good looks. Figueroa may not have a legend for a father but he definitely brings the ability to connect with the fans. His power may not have been as good as advertised but he has everything else the Mexican people expect from their champions. The final round was close but either way Figueroa wins the fight 78-76.
Judges score it 79-73 and 78-74 (twice) for Figueroa. Fair scores, a few of those rounds were very close and Omar definitely won the fight. Nothing too sensational but he showed heart and we wouldn’t mind seeing him fight again.