By Miguel Rivera
Former WBC lightweight champion Omar 'Panterita" Figueroa (25-0-1, 18KOs) will return to trainer Joel Diaz for his next bout, in late September, after defeating Ricky Burns last May.
For his last fight, Figueroa parted ways with Diaz and started training with his father Omar Figueroa Sr.
Omar's father will no longer participate in the corner with Diaz being the head voice that leads the team. Figueroa was not satisfied with his training camp or his performance in the last fight. He was making his junior welterweight debut, but failed to make the limit by coming in at 141.5-pounds. The fight in September will take place at 140-pounds.
"He is on vacation with his family but he will return to California to train hard for his return in late September. I think it is a good decision which he's made. I think he realized that he needs to train harder. He told me 'I need you.' I think he is convinced that he has to train harder, box strong and do the best things in order to become the fighter that everybody liked," said Diaz to ESPN Deportes.