BoxRec

The fight would unify the WBC and WBA “world” super bantamweight titles



A potentially bonkers super bantamweight slugfest could hit our screens early next year. Mike Coppinger reports that WBC champion Luis Nery and WBA “world” champion Brandon Figueroa “have agreed to a deal” to meet in “Q1 of 2021.”

Nery (31-0, 24 KOs), a former WBC bantamweight champion who lost his belt on the scales against Shinsuke Yamanaka and later lost his mandatory status in similar fashion, got a crack at the super bantamweight belt when Rey Vargas suffered a broken leg. He turned aside a surprisingly strong effort from Aaron Alameda in their September vacant title fight, which was originally planned for March before COVID intervened.

Figueroa (21-0-1, 16 KOs) was gifted an interim belt for beating Yonfrez Parejo last year, but proved his championship mettle in his second defense, battling an overweight Julio Ceja to a grueling draw. Like Nery, he’s fought once in 2020, beating down Damien Vazquez on that same September card.

This is only sort of a unification, as Figueroa holds the secondary version of Murodjon Akhmadaliev’s “super” title. Still, Nery’s poor performance against Alameda and Figueroa’s skill in firefights make this an extremely interesting matchup.

Luis Nery vs. Brandon Figueroa set for May 15th on Showtime

Both Nery’s WBC belt and Figueroa’s WBA “world” title will reportedly be on the line.

It was in the works for a while, but it looks as though it’s coming soon. Dan Rafael reports that former bantamweight champion Luis Nery will defend his WBC junior featherweight title against WBA “world” champion Brandon Figueroa in a May 15 Showtime main event.

ESPN’s Fernando Barbosa first revealed the date two weeks back. The fight has not been officially announced yet by Showtime, but on last Saturday’s Ennis-Lipinets card, “big news” for the date was promised for this week, and this will likely be announced in the coming days.

Nery (31-0, 24 KOs) is in need of a strong performance after looking rough against unheralded Aaron Alameda in last September’s vacant title fight. The fight was his first since losing his bantamweight mandatory challenger status on the scales ahead of a subsequently canceled clash with Emmanuel Rodriguez, and “Pantera” subsequently split with trainer Eddy Reynoso.

The 24-year-old Figueroa (21-0-1, 16 KOs) is in a slightly better spot at the moment, having demolished Damien Vazquez after a highly entertaining 2019 draw with Julio Ceja. “The Heartbreaker” is by far the less proven of the two, though, making this a delightfully intriguing matchup with off-the-scales violence potential if Nery comes out sharp.

Between this and Murodjon Akhmadaliev vs. Ronny Rios, the super bantamweight division is looking really damn good at the moment. Fingers crossed we end the year with some unifications.

Yay time to have two unified WBA titles in the same weigh class again! Just what we need for added confusion

should be a fun one

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑14 Apr 2021, 02:36 should be a fun one

Showtime pulling through..

Daniel Roman-Ricardo Espinoza, Xavier Martinez-Abraham Montoya Added to Nery-Figueroa Card

Luis Nery and Brandon Figueroa are in good company for their upcoming title clash.

As previously reported by BS.com, Nery's WBC junior featherweight title defense versus Figueroa will headline the May 15 edition of Showtime Championship Boxing. The bout between unbeaten junior featherweights will serve as part of a tripleheader, with the undercard revealed on Thursday as part of the network’s announcement of its next nine boxing events.

Former unified junior featherweight titlist Daniel Roman will once again fight on the same card as Nery (31-0, 24 KOs) and Figueroa (21-0-1, 16 KOs), as he will face Tijuana’s Ricardo ‘Hindu’ Espinoza (25-3, 21KOs). Also on the show, Xavier Martinez and Abraham Montoya collide in a 12-round WBA junior lightweight title eliminator.

Roman returned to the win column on the same Showtime Pay-Per-View card last September which saw Nery and Figueroa preserve their unbeaten records. Los Angeles’ Roman (28-3-1, 10 KOs) scored a 12-round unanimous decision win over former bantamweight titlist Juan Carlos Payano (21-5, 9 KOs) on the show, rebounding from the end of his WBA/IBF junior featherweight title reign following a 12-round split decision defeat to Murodjon Akhmadaliev (9-0. 7 KOs) last January.

The hope for Roman—who is among the top-five contenders among all four major sanctioning bodies—following the win over Payano was a title shot, as his win over Payano was one of two WBC-ordered title eliminators. Instead, he will get to audition for an eventual shot at the winner of the evening’s main event between Nery—the reigning WBC titlist—and Figueroa, who holds a secondary version of the WBA title.

Espinoza enters riding a two-fight win streak following a 12th round knockout loss to John Riel Casimero in their WBO interim bantamweight title fight in April 2019. A move up in weight followed for Espinoza, including a 10-round unanimous decision over unbeaten Brandon Valdes last August in Kissimmee, Florida.

Martinez (16-0, 11 KOs) is coming off of the most grueling win of his career. The 23-year-old from Sacramento survived a pair of knockdowns to edge out former featherweight titlist Claudio Marrero over 12 grueling rounds last October as part of a Showtime event from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. The bout was his lone ring appearance since the pandemic, though coming as a title eliminator for the number-two position with the WBA.

Efforts to move one step closer to any of the WBA titles will now go through Montoya (20-2-1, 14 KOs), a 26-year-old from Mexicali who enjoys a quick turnaround.

Montoya has won two straight since the pandemic, including an eight-round majority decision win over undefeated Alejandro Guerrero (12-0 at the time) this past February. The bout took place as part of Showtime’s ShoBox series which aired live from Mohegan Sun.

The evening’s main event will feature Nery attempting the first defense of his WBC junior featherweight title. Figueroa presently holds a secondary version of the WBA 122-pound title.

Jake Donovan is a senior
Luis Nery and Brandon Figueroa are in good company for their upcoming title clash.

As previously reported by BS.com, Nery's WBC junior featherweight title defense versus Figueroa will headline the May 15 edition of Showtime Championship Boxing. The bout between unbeaten junior featherweights will serve as part of a tripleheader, with the undercard revealed on Thursday as part of the network’s announcement of its next nine boxing events.

Former unified junior featherweight titlist Daniel Roman will once again fight on the same card as Nery (31-0, 24KOs) and Figueroa (21-0-1, 16 KOs), as he will face Tijuana’s Ricardo ‘Hindu’ Espinoza (25-3, 21 KOs). Also on the show, Xavier Martinez and Abraham Montoya collide in a 12-round WBA junior lightweight title eliminator.

Roman returned to the win column on the same Showtime Pay-Per-View card last September which saw Nery and Figueroa preserve their unbeaten records. Los Angeles’ Roman (28-3-1, 10 KOs) scored a 12-round unanimous decision win over former bantamweight titlist Juan Carlos Payano (21-5, 9 KOs) on the show, rebounding from the end of his WBA/IBF junior featherweight title reign following a 12-round split decision defeat to Murodjon Akhmadaliev (9-0. 7 KOs) last January.

The hope for Roman—who is among the top-five contenders among all four major sanctioning bodies—following the win over Payano was a title shot, as his win over Payano was one of two WBC-ordered title eliminators. Instead, he will get to audition for an eventual shot at the winner of the evening’s main event between Nery—the reigning WBC titlist—and Figueroa, who holds a secondary version of the WBA title.

Espinoza enters riding a two-fight win streak following a 12th round knockout loss to John Riel Casimero in their WBO interim bantamweight title fight in April 2019. A move up in weight followed for Espinoza, including a 10-round unanimous decision over unbeaten Brandon Valdes last August in Kissimmee, Florida.

Martinez (16-0, 11 KOs) is coming off of the most grueling win of his career. The 23-year-old from Sacramento survived a pair of knockdowns to edge out former featherweight titlist Claudio Marrero over 12 grueling rounds last October as part of a Showtime event from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. The bout was his lone ring appearance since the pandemic, though coming as a title eliminator for the number-two position with the WBA.

Efforts to move one step closer to any of the WBA titles will now go through Montoya (20-2-1, 14 KOs), a 26-year-old from Mexicali who enjoys a quick turnaround.

Montoya has won two straight since the pandemic, including an eight-round majority decision win over undefeated Alejandro Guerrero (12-0 at the time) this past February. The bout took place as part of Showtime’s ShoBox series which aired live from Mohegan Sun.

The evening’s main event will feature Nery attempting the first defense of his WBC junior featherweight title. Figueroa presently holds a secondary version of the WBA 122-pound title.

This is a very solid card.

fan of both , but dont think brandon has improved enough , sometimes looks a little sluggish awkward at times tough good inside fighter, nery is electric brandon has to try to use his size rough him up, nery win for me i dont think ko

Brandon should not let himself open, Nery murders your midsection.

Showtime Press Release

The first event of Showtime's ambitious five-month schedule announced last week has landed at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California on Saturday, May 15th. In the main event, WBC 122-pound champion Luis Nery (pictured) and unbeaten Brandon “Heartbreaker” Figueroa will meet in a championship duel.

The other two featured bouts will be Danny Roman vs. Ricardo Espinoza Franco, also at super bantamweight and Xavier Martinez vs. Abraham Montoya, a WBA super featherweight eliminator.

The event will be promoted by TGB Promotions and tickets are on sale on Tuesday, April 20th at 10 a.m. PT through AXS.com.

Press Release

Undefeated super bantamweight champions will meet for 122-pound supremacy when Luis Nery makes the first defense of his WBC world title against Brandon “Heartbreaker” Figueroa in the headline attraction of a three-fight card live on SHOWTIME Saturday, May 15 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and will see former unified super bantamweight champion Danny Roman take on hard-hitting Ricardo Espinoza Franco in the 10-round co-main event, plus in the telecast opener undefeated super featherweight contender Xavier Martinez squares off against former world title challenger Juan Carlos Burgos in a 12-round WBA Super Featherweight Title Eliminator.

Nery vs. Figueroa will see the powerful two-division champion Nery pursue a signature win at super bantamweight, while the rising Figueroa looks to use his all-action style to earn a career-best victory and announce his presence amongst the sport’s elite. The winner of this fight will be in line to face WBO 122-pound champion Stephen Fulton later this year in a unification showdown.

The event is promoted by TGB Promotions. Martinez vs. Burgos is promoted in association with Mayweather Promotions.

“The super bantamweight division is one of boxing’s most intriguing, and this showdown between Nery and Figueroa will be a huge step towards declaring the king of the weight class,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions.

“These two undefeated 122-pound champions will leave it all in the ring in front of the passionate Southern California fight fans on May 15. With two Mexican-warriors going toe-to-toe, this is a main event that you won’t want to miss a second of.”

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at AXS.com. Dignity Health Sports Park will be open to fans in a limited capacity, with all guests remaining socially distanced and subject to local and state health guidelines throughout the event.

The Tijuana, Mexico native Nery (31-0, 24 KOs) became a two-division world champion in September as he won a wide unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Aaron Alameda to capture his WBC crown. The 26-year-old had held an 11-fight knockout streak entering that 122-pound title fight, establishing himself as a premier knockout artist at bantamweight during a run that included stoppages of former champions McJoe Arroyo and Juan Carlos Payano. Nery first became champion in 2017, when he went to Japan and stopped Shinsuke Yamanaka in his home country to capture the WBC bantamweight world title.


“This is one of the biggest fights of my career,” said Nery. “I am going to win this fight in spectacular fashion. I’m training hard every day to make sure I get the win on May 15. This is my time to make history for Mexico.”

The 24-year-old Figueroa (21-0-1, 16 KOs) returns to the ring after his most recent outing saw him stop Damien Vazquez in round 10 of their September 2020 clash. Figueroa applied his all-action style scoring knockouts over veteran contenders Moises Flores and Oscar Escandon to move his way up the 122-pound rankings. He captured the WBA’s interim super bantamweight title by stopping Yonfrez Parejo in April 2019, before eventually being elevated to “regular” champion. Figueroa has trained for this career-defining bout in Southern California, alongside his brother and former world champion Omar Figueroa.

"Training camp out here in California with Joel Diaz has been amazing,” said Figueroa. “I’m in tremendous shape and I’ll be ready to go on May 15. This is really one of the best training camps of my career. I know Nery is a tough fighter, maybe my toughest test to date. I’m 24 now, so it’s time for me to start fighting these world class fighters and prove to myself that I belong in there with the best fighters. I know Stephen Fulton is lined up for the winner of this fight, but I’m preparing 110% for Nery. I know he’s not just any fighter, so I’m doing everything I can to come away with the win on May 15.”

Fight Week!

Excellent card. Real battles on tap.

I think that Figueroa has a decent shot at toppling Nery. Brandon has been through some tempering battles and I sense that he is ready. Of course, he will have to be to get by Nery, who is ruthless. But, I think that Luis may be a bit beyond ripe.

Fig can win a very hard fought decision here. BUT...he'll have to make some improvements over his recent showings.

It'll be quite a clash! Nice to see the decent card.

not seeing much skill or craft to brandon, kinda like his brother he just bullies and imposes himself on other guys. when he gave away size to ceja he had nothing to fall back on to seperate himself

nery just has more ability and i think should win, he didnt look so hot last fight though, he obviously has discipline issues and those should catch up with him one day. brandon though limited is a hard worker and is live here

good fight

Is this being shown anywhere in the U.K.?

maverick23 wrote: ↑15 May 2021, 09:32 Is this being shown anywhere in the U.K.?

If your able to check premier sports/ NoxBation, let me know. Apart from them, no one has confirmed.

Two real undefeated prize fighters who are not retired actually fighting for a championship?

How interesting could that be?

Will their be any clown or senior citizen exhibitionists?

Date: Saturday, May 15, 2021
Start Time: 10pm ET | 7pm PT
Location: Dignity Health Sports Park - Carson, CA
TV: Showtime
Streaming: Showtime

Main Card

Unified WBC and WBA ‘Regular’ Super Bantamweight Championship
Luis Nery (31-0, 24 KOs) vs. Brandon Figueroa (21-0-1, 16 KOs)

10 Round Super Bantamweight Bout
Danny Roman (28-3-1, 10 KOs) vs. Ricardo Espinoza (25-3, 21 KOs)

10 Round Super Featherweight Bout
Xavier Martinez (16-0, 11 KOs) vs. Juan Carlos Burgos (34-4-2, 21 KOs)

Up next.

nery vs fig is next?

Any streams?? Usual 1 is down

Burgos going for it in the 2nd !

19-19

Right man won, by 99-91 x3 is harsh

Round 1

This has started lively.
Close but edge it to Roman, he's the tidier of the boxers so far.

1-0 Roman