Pantera Nery Vs Heartbreaker Figueroa firefight!

By James Blears

 

For those fight fans and aficionados who love to see a pulsating and sensational ring war, that certainly won`t extend to the full distance, this unification slugfest, starring Luis Nery and Brandon Lee Figueroa going at it toe to toe, isn`t one to miss, because they themselves certainly won`t, when the bell rings and intense action immediately gets underway.

At stake in this master blaster, is Luis` WBC Super bantamweight belt and Brandon`s WBA super bantamweight strap. It`s going to be a titanic test of dishing out an avalanche offense,  for both love nothing better than a real close in tear up, fighting on the front foot with the pedal right down to the canvass. Expansive ring size in this one, probably won`t matter one iota.

At five feet five inches tall, Luis is giving away three inches in height. Luis` reach is sixty six inches, while Brandon`s wingspan is seventy two inches. This won`t matter very much, because both love fighting close in, testing an opponent`s chin, constitutional fortitude and mindset resolve, via a zesty willingness to swop cascades of pulverizing power punches. Give and take to test, who gives way.  The two of them are pressure cooker fighters, throwing high volumes of punches. Brandon favors softening up opponents with a crunching body attack. Luis also likes to lambast the body, but is more of a headhunter by choice.

Southpaw Luis (31-0, 24 KO`s) who`s twenty six and comes from Tijuana, won the WBC bantamweight championship before moving up to this division, and just as well, because he had problems in making the lower weight category. Drinking gallons of water is not the best way to manage poundage or your health, short or long term. Physically he`s fully matured, sporting a bushy pirate style beard yet no moustache. There`s an Old Testament aura about his appearance, but he shuns being a prophet, preferring to let his punching power deliver the sermon, chapter and verse.

By contrast, Brandon (21-0-1, 16 KO`s) aged 24, from Weslaco, Texas who`s the younger brother of former WBC lightweight champion Omar “Panterita” Figueroa, hardly looks old enough to shave. Every bit the blue eyed boy in appearance he resembles a svelte slim framed teenage male model on the  catwalk, who`s hankering after a good square meal…plus dessert with topping.

But looks can be deceivingly deceptive. When it comes to fighting, Brandon is ruthlessly robust and utterly unrelenting, for starters and the main course.  He doesn`t seem to overly mind taking a few dollops to land his own and has been marked around the eyes several times, while moving  up the food chain, to savor the juicier menus.

Luis` previous fight before this, for the vacant WBC super bantamweight title against hard as nails Aaron Alameda on 26<sup>th</sup> September last year, didn`t go as he planned, because although he dominated Aaron, it went the full distance.  Inactivity of more than a year since his KO win against Juan Carlos Payano, seems to have blunted his scintilla edge on that particular occasion. Prior to that he`d calmly stopped eleven opponents in a row, including winning the WBC bantamweight championship, blasting out Shinsuke Yamanka in four rounds with the Japanese warrior`s corner saving him.

Then a positive test result for Zilpanterol, which Nery insisted came from food contamination. A second B test came back as negative.  Yamanka was re-instated as champion and a rematch was ordered. But then another unpalatable surprise, as Nery came in three pounds over the limit, to the fury and scorn of Japanese officials, who are unwavering sticklers for absolute discipline viz weight requirements, which they insist must invariably and honorably be met on the dot and to the letter.

With the title off the table for himself, Nery won via a second round KO, but won`t be fighting again in Japan, any time soon and probably any time there ever again.

Nery who`s now trained by Ismael Ramirez, has been sparring a lot in Tijuana, running hills and dales for the upcoming power punching encounter to re-empower and re-invigorate his KO ballistics, by gaining even more energizing stamina.  He and Eddy Reynoso had parted company after the Alameda fight on friendly and mutually respectful terms.

Right now, Luis like Brandon is in: “It`s him or me” war mode, and says he isn`t interested in the Pretty Boy epithets being bestowed upon his baby faced opponent`s narrow shoulders. It`s going to be a good, bad and ugly brawl, with power and punch resistance being the hard core elements tested to their very fullest.

Brandon, is determined to leave his mark on the sport with this as the defining fight of his career thus far. He`s fought nine times less than Luis. You could argue that he hasn`t built the same battle hardened experience, but on the other hand, he`s a tad fresher.

With Brandon`s training, well…it`s all in the family. Namely dad Omar Sr, his big brother Omar and his sister Omaya, another stunning beauty in the team. They all know the scale of the task immediately ahead, its magnitude and cloying magma that Brandon will have to pour all over Luis, if he`s to win.  It`s all about calculation and execution of high risk stakes in this duel. Close to the chest poker, armed with red hot pokers.

What Brandon does best is stick to an opponent like glue with a two fisted attack, often switching from conventional to southpaw as the openings present themselves.

Brandon won the WBA Interim title by defeating Yonfrez Parejo with hand to hand trench warefare. Living up to his nickname he kept punching until the walloped Venezuelan called it quits at the end of the eighth. In the dazzling sunshine, Ring Announcer Jimmy Lennon was wearing dark glasses, but the defeated fighter looked as if he needed them a whole lot more.

In his first defense, Brandon came up against the short, squat and durable Javier Nicolas Chacon. It almost went the distance but in the twelfth and final round, a withering right to the ribs, followed up a combo to the head and then a pinpoint right uppercut through the guard, brought down the curtain.

Promoted to full regular WBA champ, Brandon then engaged in a battle royal against talented and tough Julio Ceja, who came in a naughty four and a half pounds over the weight limit, and lasted the distance.

Then on to Damien Vazquez with a KO in the tenth with a right left to be body, Referee Gary Rosario stopping the bout.  During the previous round Ref Gary who was imposing a break, had accidently pushed Brandon to the canvas. Just before the tenth had started the Ring Doctor had looked long hand hard into Damien`s forlorn swollen face before allowing him to dejectedly, but bravely plod out for more of the same.

In this fight Brandon will be against a like minded puncher and he would do well to pick his punches and avoid taking too many to get them in, because like him, Luis can really bang, rather than fizzle with pop.

Luis` left hook and left cross are formidable weapons. He can also sink in some eye watering rib ticklers. While Brandon`s right uppercut, right hook and constant body bulldozing never stop punching, is particularly effective.  Peak condition, optimum work rate, but also a cunning andguile to slip punches, is sorely needed.

Luis` one punch power appears to be crisper, but if the fight goes beyond the half way point, Brandon`s blistering non stop attack could cause significant wear and tear. Many boxing matches are built up, billed and even over inflated as a looming war. This one will live up to and exceed all the hype. It`s between two fiercely proud unbeaten fighters.

The winner will take on WBO champion Stephen Fulton Jr, who`s also undefeated, on September 11^th if the victor has sufficiently recovered from a ring of fire ordeal.

 

WORLD BOXING COUNCIL    

Jose Sulaimán WBC HONORARY POSTHUMOUS LIFETIME PRESIDENT (+)

Mauricio SulaimánWBC PRESIDENT 

WBC STATS WBC SUPERBANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE

DIGNITY HEALTH SPORTS PARKCARSON, CALIFORNIA, USA

MAY 15, 2021

 TV: USA SHOWTIME / TV AZTECA   

THIS WILL BE WBC’S 2, 105 CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE   FIGHT   IN   THE   FIFTY-EIGHT YEAR HISTORY OF THE WBC

 

TOM BROWN & TGB PROMOTIONS, PRESENTS:

LUIS NERY (México)

WBC Champion

 

Nationality:           México

Date of Birth:        December 12, 1994

Birthplace:            Tijuana, Baja California

Record:                 31-0-0, 24 ko’s

Resides in:             Tijuana, Baja California

KO%:                   77.5 %

Alias:                    Pantera

Age:                      26

Guard:                  Southpaw

Total rounds:         142

World title fights:   3 (3-0-0)

Manager:              Guadalupe Valencia

Promoter:             Promociones Zanfer

 

BRANDON FIGUEROA (US)

WBA Champion

 

Nationality:           US

Date of Birth:        December 29, 1996

Birthplace:            Weslaco, Texas

Record:                 21-0-1, 16 ko’s

Resides in:             Weslaco, Texas

KO%:                   72.3 %

Alias:                    The Heartbreaker

Age:                      24

Guard:                  Orthodox

Total rounds:         116

World title fights:   4 (3-0-1)

Manager:              Tom Brown

Promoter:             TGB Promotions

 

WBC´S SUPERBANTAMWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONS

NAME                                                       CHAMPION

 

1. RIGOBERTO RIASCO (PAN) 1976
2. ROYAL KOBAYASHI (JAP) 1976
3. DONG-KYUN YUM (KOR) 1976 – 1977
4. WILFREDO GOMEZ (P. RICO) 1977 – 1982
5. JAIME GARZA (US) 1983 – 1984
6. JUAN MEZA (US) 1984 – 1985
7. LUPE PINTOR (MEX) 1985 – 1986
8. SAMART PAYAKAROON (THAI) 1986 – 1987
9. JEFF FENECH (AUST) 1987 – 1988
10. DANIEL ZARAGOZA (MEX) 1988 – 1990
11. PAUL BANKE (US) 1990
12. PEDRO DECIMA (ARG) 1990 – 1991
13. KIYOSHI HATANAKA (JAP) 1991
14. DANIEL ZARAGOZA (MEX) * 1991 – 1992
15. THIERRY JACOB (FRA) 1992
16. TRACY PATTERSON (US) 1992 – 1994
17. HECTOR ACERO-SANCHEZ (DOM R.) 1994 – 1995
18. DANIEL ZARAGOZA (MEX) * 1995 – 1997
19. ERIK MORALES (MEX) 1997 – 2000
20. WILLIE JORRIN (US) 2000 – 2002
21. OSCAR LARIOS (MEX) 2002 – 2005
22. ISRAEL VAZQUEZ (MEX) 2005 – 2007
23. RAFAEL MARQUEZ (MEXICO) 2007
24. ISRAEL VAZQUEZ (MEXICO) * 2007 – 2008
25. TOSHIAKI NISHIOKA (JAPAN) 2008 – 2012
26. ABNER MARES (MEXICO) 2012 – 2013
27. VICTOR TERRAZAS (MEXICO) 2013
28. LEO SANTA CRUZ (MEXICO) 2013 – 2015
29. JULIO CEJA (MEXICO) 2015 – 2016
30. HUGO RUIZ (MEXICO) 2016
31. HOZUMI HASEGAWA (JAPAN) 2016-2017
32. TOMOKI KAMEDA (JAPAN)(INTERIM) 2018 – 2019
33. REY VARGAS (MEXICO) 2017 – 2020
34. LUIS NERY (MEXICO) 2020 –

* REGAINED

 

WBC´S SUPERBANTAMWEIGHT TOP TEN CHAMPIONS

1. WILFREDO GOMEZ (P. RICO)
2. ERIK MORALES (MEXICO)
3. JEFF FENECH (AUSTRALIA)
4. DANIEL ZARAGOZA (MEXICO)
5. ISRAEL VAZQUEZ (MEXICO)
6. ABNER MARES (MEXICO)
7. LEO SANTA CRUZ (MEXICO)
8. TRACY PATTERSON (US)
9. OSCAR LARIOS (MEXICO)
10. ROYAL KOBAYASHI (JAPAN)

 

31 WORLD CHAMPIONS RECOGNIZED BY THE WBC OF WHICH ONLY 2 HAVE REGAINED THEIR TITLE:

DANIEL ZARAGOZA (MEXICO)

ISRAEL VAZQUEZ (MEXICO)

117 WORLD TITLE BOUTS HAVE BEEN HELD IN SUPERBANTAMWEIGHT DIVISION IN THE HISTORY OF THE WBC IN 11 COUNTRIES

 THIS WILL BE THE 64^th. TITLE FIGHT OF WHICH HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN UNITED STATES IN SUPERBANTAMWEIGHT DIVISION IN THE HISTORY OF THE WBC

 

WORLD SUPERBANTAMWEIGHT TITLE BOUTS BY COUNTRY IN WBC HISTORY

US                               63

JAPAN                        21

PUERTO RICO          7

MEXICO                    7

KOREA                       7

THAILAND                3

AUSTRALIA              3

FRANCE                     2

PANAMA                    2

ENGLAND                  1

      ITALY                        1

TOTAL BOUTS        117

 

– IN THIS DIVISION WILFREDO GOMEZ (P. R) HOLDS THE TITLE DEFENSES RECORD WITH 17.

– DANIEL ZARAGOZA (MEXICO) WITH 14 DEFENSES IN THREE PERIODS AS WORLD CHAMPION.

 

WBC TITLE FIGHTS IN CALIFORNIA STATE INTHE WBC HISTORY

 

 

233 WORLD TITLE FIGHTS HAVE BEEN HELD IN CALIFORNIA STATE IN THE WBC HISTORY

 

26 TITLE FIGHTS IN THE SUPERBANTAMWEIGHT DIVISION HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN CALIFORNIA STATE IN THE HISTORY OF THE WBC

AND

THIS WILL BE THE 234 WBC TITLE FIGHTS IN CALIFORNIA STATE IN THE HISTORY OF THE WBC

 

 

FIGHTS BY DIVISION IN CALIFORNIA STATE IN THE WBC HISTORY

 

 

 

BANTAM                                    28

SUPERBANTAM                         26

WELTER                                     24

SUPERFEATHER                       22

LIGHT                                         21

FEATHER                                   20

SUPERLIGHT                             16

SUPERFLY                                 16

SUPERWELTER                         13

FLY                                                12

HEAVY                                        8

MIDDLE                                     7

SUPERMIDDLE                         6

HEAVY                                        5

FLY                                             4

CRUISER                                    3

STRAW                                        2

 

TOTAL FIGHTS            233

 

WBC MEMORABLE FIGHTS IN SUPERBANTAMWEIGHT

 

28/10/1978       WILFREDO GOMEZ – CARLOS ZARATE                       TKO 5                 SAN JUAN

27/03/1982       WILFREDO GOMEZ – JUAN MEZA                                  TKO 6                 ATLANTIC CITY

03/12/1982       WILFREDO GOMEZ – LUPE PINTOR                              TKO 14               NEW ORLEANS

18/08/1985       GUADALUPE PINTOR – JUAN MEZA                              DEC 12               MEXICO CITY

16/10/1987       JEFF FENECH – CARLOS ZARATE                                  TDEC 5               SYDNEY

29/02/1988       DANIEL ZARAGOZA – CARLOS ZARATE                      TKO 10               INGLEWOOD

22/06/1989       DANIEL ZARAGOZA – PAUL BANKE                              DEC 12               INGLEWOOD

23/04/1990       PAUL BANKE – DANIEL ZARAGOZA                              KO 9                   INGLEWOOD

14/06/1991       DANIEL ZARAGOZA – KIYOSHI HATANAKA              DEC 12               NAGOYA

09/12/1991       DANIEL ZARAGOZA – PAUL BANKE                              DEC 12               INGLEWOOD

05/12/1992       TRACY PATTERSON – DANIEL ZARAGOZA                 DRAW 12           BERCK

26/08/1994       HECTOR ACERO SANCHEZ – TRACY PATTERSON   DEC 12               ATLANTIC CITY

02/06/1995       HECTO ACERO SANCHEZ – DANIEL ZARAGOZA      DRAW 12           LEDYARD

06/11/1995       DANIEL ZARAGOZA – HECTOR ACERO SANCHEZ   DEC 12               INGLEWOOD

05/03/1996       DANIEL ZARAGOZA – JOICHIRO TATSUYOSHI         TKO 11               YOKOHAMA

11/01/1997       DANIEL ZARAGOZA – WAYNE MCCULLOUGH          DEC 12               BOSTON

14/04/1997       DANIEL ZARAGOZA – JOICHIRO TATSUYOSHI         DEC 12               OSAKA

06/09/1997       ERIK MORALES – DANIEL ZARAGOZA                         KO 11                 EL PASO

22/10/1999       ERIK MORALES – WAYNE MCCULLOUGH                  DEC 12               DETROIT

19/02/2000       ERIK MORALES – MARCO ANTONIO BARRERA        DEC 12               LAS VEGAS

17/05/2002       OSCAR LARIOS – ISRAEL VAZQUEZ (INTERIM)        TKO 12               SACRAMENTO

10/02/2005       OSCAR LARIOS – WAYNE MCCULLOUGH                   DEC 12               LEMOORE

16/07/2005       OSCAR LARIOS – WAYNE MCCULLOUGH                   TKO 10               LAS VEGAS

03/12/2005       ISRAEL VAZQUEZ – OSCAR LARIOS                              TKO 3                 LAS VEGAS

16/09/2006       ISRAEL VAZQUEZ – JHONNY GONZALEZ                    TKO 10               LAS VEGAS

03/03/2007       RAFAEL MARQUEZ – ISRAEL VAZQUEZ                      TKO 7                 CARSON

04/08/2007       ISRAEL VAZQUEZ – RAFAEL MARQUEZ                      TKO 6                 HIDALGO

01/03/2008       ISRAEL VAZQUEZ – RAFAEL MARQUEZ                      DEC 12               CARSON

23/05/2009       TOSHIAKI NISHIOKA – JHONNY GONZALEZ              TKO 3                 MONTERREY

01/10/2011       TOSHIAKI NISHIOKA – RAFAEL MARQUEZ                UD 12                  LAS VEGAS

21/04/2012       ABNES MARES – ERIC MOREL (VACANT)                    UD 12                  EL PASO

13/10/2012       NONITO DONAIRE – TOSHIAKI NISHIOKA                  TKO 9                 CARSON

10/11/2012       ABNER MARES – ANSELMO MORENO                           UD 12                  LOS ANGELES

20/04/2013       VICTOR TERRAZAS – CRISTIAN MIJARES                   SD 12                   MEXICO CITY

08/03/2014       LEO SANTA CRUZ – CHRISTIAN MIJARES                   UD 12                  LAS VEGAS

29/08/2015       JULIO CEJA – HUGO RUIZ                                                 TKO 5                 LOS ANGELES

27/02/2016       HUGO RUIZ – JULIO CEJA                                                 TKO 1                 ANAHEIM

13/07/2019       REY VARGAS – TOMOKI KAMEDA                                 UD 12                  CARSON