By: Sean Crose
“I had my first sparring session yesterday,” stated tremendous welterweight Justin Figueroa initially of our cellphone interview. The 8-0 New Jersey native was already making ready for his subsequent ring battle, which is able to go down Could eleventh in Atlantic Metropolis as a part of Boxing Insider’s card, hosted by the Tropicana. “We’re nonetheless engaged on an opponent,” the fighter admitted, though that didn’t seem to trouble him. Certainly, the affable Figueroa wished to be prepared simply the identical. The combat enterprise is vital to the 25 12 months outdated, which is why he appears to combat steadily as he climbs the proverbial ladder. Apart from, Figueroa is a person who likes his work. “I like what I do,” he stated over the cellphone, “I like coaching.”
What’s extra, conserving busy means Figueroa can at all times hold ready. “I’m gonna compete as a lot as a I can,” he stated. “Actually, when he’s not coaching, Figueroa might be discovered “Watching loads of boxing.” As Figueroa would absolutely admit himself, boxing is nothing if not a 24-hour job. That is very true for younger fighters on their method up by the ranks. Not that Figueroa is afraid to lose or slip on his method in direction of the highest. “A few of the greats,” he rightfully identified, “have losses on their file.” Some, like Jack Johnson, Jack Dempsey, and Joe Louis, even had losses earlier than they received the heavyweight title.
Not that such issues mattered to these males – or to males like Figueroa in the present day. ” I’d take a look at is as a lesson,” he stated when speaking about the opportunity of defeat. “I lose on a regular basis,” he added (albeit not in skilled prize fights). Certain sufficient, Figueroa sees a loss as “one thing to be taught from.” It’s a novel and wholesome angle to have in a security first period that at instances might be boring and missing in actual competitors. Certainly, it’s Figueroa’s notion of combating generally which makes him a fairly fascinating particular person. “You will have to have the ability to combat,” he stated, “however you additionally need to have actual charisma.”
Charisma is one thing the 8-0 fighter definitely isn’t missing in. He’s an easygoing, pleasant man, Figueroa, however one whose knocked out six out of eight opponents in lower than ten skilled fights. Showing on the Boxing Insider card on Could eleventh in his hometown of Atlantic Metropolis will provide Figueroa the possibility to showcase that ability and charisma as soon as extra in entrance of native followers. “I’ve fought in Atlantic Metropolis six instances already,” he stated. “It retains me motivated.” After which some. “I’m wanting,” he added, “to convey massive time boxing again to Atlantic Metropolis.”
