Omar Figueroa Jr Bio
Omar Figueroa Jr. (born December 13, 1989) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 2008 to 2022. Known by the ring name “Panterita,” he built a reputation as an exciting fighter with a heavy knockout punch and a durable chin. He held the WBC lightweight title in 2014 and campaigned across three professional weight classes during his fourteen-year career.
Figueroa’s professional record stands at 28 wins, 3 losses, and 1 draw, with 19 of his victories coming by knockout. He is the older brother of former world champion Brandon Figueroa, and the two are part of a well-known boxing family of Mexican descent from the state of Tamaulipas.
Early Life and Background
Omar Figueroa Jr. was born on December 13, 1989, in Weslaco, Texas, a small city in the Rio Grande Valley near the Mexican border. He is of Mexican descent, with family roots tracing back to the state of Tamaulipas, and grew up immersed in a region where boxing has long been a popular sport. The culture of the borderlands, combined with a family already tied to the fight game, helped shape his early interest in combat sports.
Figueroa has spoken openly about a difficult childhood upbringing. In a Showtime special, he discussed struggles with PTSD, ADHD, and bipolar disorder, experiences that have influenced his later advocacy work. His openness about mental health has made him a relatable figure beyond the ring and has informed the way he has approached his post-fighting life.
From a young age, Figueroa gravitated toward boxing, training in local gyms in South Texas and across the border in Mexico. The family atmosphere around the sport provided a natural path, and he developed quickly in the amateur ranks before deciding to turn professional at a relatively early age.
Path to Professional Boxing
Figueroa compiled approximately 40 amateur bouts, with most of those fights taking place in Texas and Mexico. Despite the volume of experience, he later admitted that he did not care for the amateur style, preferring the professional ranks where his punching power and aggressive style could shine. The decision to turn professional came swiftly after his amateur run.
His transition to the paid ranks began in 2008, when he made his pro debut as a lightweight. Early fights were scheduled around his developing frame, and he quickly accumulated stoppage wins that drew the attention of promoters and television networks. The path from local Texas shows to nationally televised cards was fast, helped by the visibility his family name carried.
By the time he reached contender status, Figueroa had already established himself as a fan-friendly fighter. His willingness to engage, combined with a high knockout ratio, made him an attractive opponent for rising prospects and seasoned veterans alike. That reputation paved the way for his first major title opportunity in 2013.
Omar Figueroa Jr Career
Early Career (2008-2011)
Figueroa launched his professional career in 2008 at the lightweight limit of 135 pounds, fighting primarily on regional cards in Texas. He piled up a string of early victories, many of them inside the distance, while building his experience against a mix of debutants and journeymen. The volume of activity allowed him to refine his timing and develop a rhythm that would later define his style.
By the end of 2011, he had established an unbeaten record and a growing reputation as one of the most entertaining young fighters in the lightweight division. His combination of pressure, body work, and finishing power made him a difficult assignment for any prospect, and bigger opportunities began to open up.
Lightweight Breakthrough (2012-2014)
On January 6, 2012, Figueroa scored an upset TKO over undefeated Puerto Rican-American prospect Michael Pérez in a bout televised on Showtime. The win announced him to a national audience and led to a busy 2012, in which he won six total bouts, including a second-round knockout of Mexico’s Ramon Ayala in his debut for Golden Boy Promotions.
In 2013, Figueroa captured the vacant WBC interim lightweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Japan’s Nihito Arakawa. The bout was widely praised, with Showtime commentator Mauro Ranallo calling it a candidate for 2013 Fight of the Year, and boxing writer Scott Christ of Bad Left Hook highlighted the action as a defining moment for both fighters. The interim belt was later elevated, and in 2014 Figueroa was recognized as WBC lightweight champion.
Welterweight Move and Later Years (2015-2022)
After campaigning at lightweight and briefly at light welterweight, Figueroa eventually settled into the welterweight division, where he faced a series of high-profile opponents. In 2015, he defeated former world titlist Ricky Burns via unanimous decision at the State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, Texas, adding a respected name to his resume. He also squared off against Yordenis Ugas, dropping a unanimous decision with all three scorecards reading 119-107.
On February 16, 2019, Figueroa outboxed John Molina Jr. over ten rounds, winning a unanimous decision with scorecards of 99-91, 98-92, and 97-93. A later bout against Abel Ramos was halted by Figueroa’s trainer, Joel Diaz, after the sixth round when Figueroa had absorbed significant punishment. Figueroa continued to compete at welterweight through 2022 before retiring from professional boxing.
Notable Events and Milestones
Figueroa’s career-defining moment came with his 2013 interim title win over Nihito Arakawa and his recognition as WBC lightweight champion in 2014. A memorable upset TKO over Michael Pérez on Showtime in 2012 served as his national introduction, while his 2015 decision win over former titlist Ricky Burns added further weight to his resume. The night against Arakawa, in particular, is frequently cited as one of the most exciting fights of that year.
Omar Figueroa Jr Career Wins
Across fourteen professional years, Omar Figueroa Jr. compiled 28 wins, 19 of them by knockout, against 3 losses and 1 draw in 32 total bouts. His knockout ratio, combined with his aggressive style, made him a consistent attraction on American televised boxing cards.
Lightweight Highlights
Figueroa’s first significant professional victory came in January 2012, when he upset undefeated Michael Pérez by TKO on Showtime. He went on to win six bouts that year, including a second-round knockout of Ramon Ayala in his Golden Boy Promotions debut. His biggest win arrived in 2013, when he outpointed Nihito Arakawa for the vacant WBC interim lightweight title in a fight celebrated as a candidate for 2013 Fight of the Year.
Other Wins and Performances
After moving up in weight, Figueroa added a notable win over former world titlist Ricky Burns via unanimous decision in 2015 at the State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, Texas. In 2019, he outpointed durable veteran John Molina Jr. by wide unanimous scores, showing his ability to outbox aggressive opponents over ten rounds.
Omar Figueroa Jr Family
Family Background and Boxing Lineage
Omar Figueroa Jr. is of Mexican descent, with roots in the state of Tamaulipas, and grew up in Weslaco, Texas, in the Rio Grande Valley. He is the older brother of Brandon Figueroa, a former world champion in the super bantamweight and featherweight divisions. The two brothers represent one of the more accomplished Mexican-American boxing families to emerge from South Texas in recent years.
Personal Life
Outside the ring, Figueroa has been open about his lifelong struggle with PTSD, ADHD, and bipolar disorder, conditions he first discussed publicly in a Showtime special. He has since become an advocate for mental health awareness, speaking not only to athletes but to anyone dealing with similar challenges. His willingness to share his story has been a central part of his identity since retiring from professional boxing in 2022.
2025 Season Outlook
Omar Figueroa Jr. officially competed as a professional boxer from 2008 through 2022, meaning his 2025 calendar is no longer defined by active competition in the ring. Instead, the year represents a continuation of his post-fighting chapter, where his focus has shifted toward advocacy, family, and selective appearances tied to the sport.
As the older brother of active champion Brandon Figueroa, Omar remains closely connected to the fight game and is often visible at major boxing events. His presence in the sport continues to be felt through commentary opportunities, mentoring work with younger fighters, and public appearances that reinforce his standing as a respected former titleholder.
Looking ahead, Figueroa is expected to maintain his role as a mental health advocate, using his platform to encourage open conversations about PTSD, ADHD, and bipolar disorder. While no return to professional boxing has been announced, his influence in 2025 is likely to come through storytelling, mentorship, and continued family involvement in the sport he helped define for the Figueroa name.