Omar Figueroa won a unanimous 12 round decision over Ricky Burns in Hidalgo, Texas today. Figueroa pressured Burns throughout the fight. Burns had two points taken away during the fight for holding. I personally thought that referee Lawrence Cole was way too involved in this fight and put his hands on the fighters quite a bit when it wasn't necessary. All that aside, Omar Figueroa fought a great fight and got a good hard earned decision.
Omar Figueroa - “Fighting a fight like that, it takes a lot to go even four rounds, much less 12. With a fighter like that, leaning on you and using his weight on you it’s tough. I’m just glad I was in shape and didn’t let my fans down. I’m a very offensive fighter, so the holding kind of slowed me down. I tried to do what I could and, thankfully, the judges saw that. My hands are a little sore, but I really did hold back on my punches, especially because he has one of those European guards where he holds his hands up high and his elbows are exposed. I had to be careful going to the body because that’s how I hurt my hands most times, from hitting the elbows. I felt ridiculously strong at the new weight, but I didn’t think my hands would hold up, so I was holding back and trying to win the fight on points and if I could hurt him I would try to stop him. He was punching me behind the head, so I felt like I had to do the same. If you want to play like that, I can play that game.”
Ricky Burns - “We knew it was going to be a tough fight, but I didn’t agree with the deductions for holding. I thought he was holding as much as me and that’s why I had to tie him up. We moved up in weight for this one but still had some trouble making weight, but I didn’t want to jeopardize my chance to fight in America. I think it was his size that gave me problems more than anything. I don’t know what weight he was in that ring, but it was a lot bigger than me.”
McDonnell UD 12 over Kamada
Jamie McDonnell retained his WBA Bantamweight Championship (regular) against Tomoki Kamada. This was a hard fight to score, but I had Kamada winning. Kamada knocked McDonnell down with a picture perfect right hand to the jaw in the third round, but according to the judges it wasn't enough. All three judges had the fight 113-114 for McDonnell.
Tomoki Kamada - “I think I won the fight. I did enough to win. He did a lot to win the last rounds, but I did more over the fight. I don’t agree with the judges decision, but I respect it. I knew he would get up after the knockdown because he’s a world champion. He’s a great fighter and I take my hat off to him, but I won the fight. I want a rematch.”
Jamie McDonnell - “I felt in control all the way through. It was a great performance. I know I should have just boxed but I wanted to fight. I didn’t think I was going to get the decision being abroad, but it’s more than spectacular to come out of here victorious. He’s a great, undefeated champion. His speed surprised me on the knockdown. I knew he was going to be fast, but I didn’t expect it like that. I didn’t see the shot and next thing I knew I was on the floor….I think I’m going to move up in weight. I want to catch the big fights before they’re gone.”
