Junior middleweight sensation Justin Figueroa attests to a pivotal shift in his career trajectory. For the 26-year-old, known as 'Mr. Atlantic City' and boasting an impressive 12-0 record with 10 knockouts, this training camp has been nothing short of a turning point. Coaches had long hinted at a moment when everything would 'click,' a concept Figueroa initially struggled to grasp despite his rigorous training and fearless demeanor. The breakthrough occurred during a gym session, an epiphany that unveiled a profound understanding of dominance and strategic execution in the ring.
Figueroa is set to face Jarrod Tennant in an eight-round contest at the Tech Port Arena in San Antonio, Texas. This fight represents the perfect opportunity for Figueroa to demonstrate the culmination of his recent growth. He asserts that his mentality and self-assurance are at an all-time high, attributing this surge to the intensity of his training, the quality of his sparring partners, and the expert guidance of his manager, Jolene Mizzone, who consistently positions him for success.
His opponent, Jarrod Tennant, from Los Angeles, holds a record of 9-5 with 5 knockouts. Tennant enters this bout on a two-fight losing streak, both by unanimous decision this year, yet he has never been stopped in his career. Notably, he is one of only two fighters to go the distance with Marques Valle. Figueroa acknowledges Tennant's defensive style, noting his nickname 'Technician' implies a back-foot approach. Figueroa anticipates a tactical challenge and intends to dictate the pace, recognizing that a passive fight would not resonate with the passionate San Antonio crowd.