Omar Juarez still aims to become Brownsville, Texas’ first titleholder.
Juarez faces Omar Rosario in a 10-round crossroads junior welterweight bout on Saturday at the Convention Center in South Padre Island, Texas.
Juarez, 19-2 (7 KOs), enters on a five-fight win streak after a majority decision loss to Rances Barthelemy. Juarez, now 26, still aims to bring a title back to his hometown one day. Juarez will be fighting an hour away from his hometown.
“It motivates me to keep pushing through adversity and become Brownsville’s first world champion,” Juarez told BoxingScene. “Seeing all my family and friends on fight night will give me so much confidence and will amplify my dominant performance.”
Juarez and Rosario have seen similar circumstances unfold in their careers. Both were at one time unbeaten prospects who lost to unassuming opponents in the developmental stage of their careers. Rosario, 14-2 (4 KOs), defeated John Bauza in June to get back in the win column. Rosario, a 27-year-old from Caguas, Puerto Rico, was at one point signed by Top Rank Inc., but has since fought exclusively in Puerto Rico since a 2023 loss to Angel Rebollar.
“We were both prospects on our way to a world title, but suffered some losses on the way,” Juarez said. “We both know that we have to go through each other if we want to get a title.”
Juarez is reflective on his loss on his way up.
“For me personally, my losses will not define my future,” Juarez said. “I’ve only gotten stronger and hungrier. I’m coming for my world titles. Rosario is just in the way.”
“Rosario is a good and crafty fighter who has a lot to prove, just like me,” Juarez said. “It’ll be a good fight, but I am training to win in a dominating fashion. I’m going to make a statement.”
This will be Juarez’s fourth bout of the year, having last stopped Juan Alberto Castillo Garcia in August.
“I picked up where I left off and got the best work for my preparation,” Juarez said. “This fight, people will see a much more dangerous and explosive Omar Juarez.”
