
Video: Omar Figueroa on Knocking Out Cotto, More
Ryan Burton catches up with undefeated lightweight Omar Figueroa to discuss his win over Abner Cotto, the future and more.

Ryan Burton catches up with undefeated lightweight Omar Figueroa to discuss his win over Abner Cotto, the future and more.

Omar Figueroa graduated from rising prospect to budding contender after an explosive first round knockout of Abner Cotto in a matchup of unbeaten lightweights Saturday evening in San Antonio, Texas. The win marked the second straight opening round stoppage for Figueroa – both of which have come in San Antonio. The Weslaco native appeared in town last month, needing just 47 seconds to blow past Henry Aurud. More time was necessary to get past Cotto, though not by a lot. Figueroa scored two knockdowns, one midway through the round and one to end the fight at 2:57 of the opening round. He has now fought twice in a row in San Antonio, though not giving the local fans much time to check him out.

By Cliff Rold - In a fight that lived up to the hype, 22-year old WBC 154 lb. titlist Saul Alvarez (42-0-1, 32 KO) of Guadalajara, Mexico, used hard power shots and a seventh round knockdown to earn the best win of his career, a unanimous decision over WBA titlist Austin Trout (26-1, 14 KO) of Las Cruces, New Mexico, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, on Saturday night. Both men came into the bout under the division limit of 154 lbs., Alvarez at 153 ½ and Trout at 153 ¼. The referee was Laurence Cole. The announced crowd of 39,247 made themselves as much a part of the show as the fighters in the moments leading to the fight. Building throughout the undercard, they reached peak volume, booing lustily as Trout walked the aisle and mimicking Beatlemania as Canelo followed suit. Ring announcer Jimmy Lennon threatened to be drowned out, first introducing Alvarez to another roar and then Trout to a seemingly more deafening rain of disdain. They remained at fever pitch as the bell sounded to begin the anticipated battle.

Alamodome, San Antonio, TX - Miguel “El Michoacan” Flores, 127 lbs (11-0, 6 KOs) Houston, TX over Guadalupe De Leon, 127 lbs (8-14, 4 KOs) Mission, TX. Flores is the younger brother of the late Benjamin Flores, who fought Bernabe Concepcion in this venue in a memorable bout in 2007. Flores is more active and accurate, landing upstairs and downstairs. De Leon who has tested many Texas and National prospects, looked to make it a fight on the inside, and did some nice work late in the fight with a few uppercuts and hooks underneath. Unanimous Decision for Flores by judges scores of 39-37x2, & 40-36

Ryan Burton catches up with Abner Cotto, who talks about his upcoming fight with fellow undefeated lightweight Omar Figueroa.

Ryan Burton catches up with undefeated lightweight contender Omar Figueroa to discuss his battle with, fellow undefeated, Abner Cotto of Puerto Rico.

Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez (41-0-1, 30KOs) and Austin Trout (26-0, 14KOs) both made weight for their 154 lb. unification bout Saturday evening at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Alvarez came in at 153.5 lb., while Trout tipped the scales at a trim and ready 153.25 lb. The bout is a rare scenario of two unbeaten titlists squaring off in their respective primes and in their ideal weight class. Even more fitting is the fact that both won belts at roughly the same time just over two years ago.

Ryan Burton catches up with Joel Diaz, trainer of Timothy Bradley, to discuss the potential fight with Juan Manuel Marquez. Diaz also trainer lightweight Omar Figueroa, who faces Abner Cotto on Saturday night.

According to junior welterweight contender Omar Figueroa (20-0-1, 16KOs), he will take on fellow unbeaten Abner Cotto (16-0, 7KOs) on April 20th at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The match will be the co-feature, televised by Showtime, to the junior middleweight unification between champions Saul "Canelo" Alvarez and Austin "No Doubt" Trout.