Brandon Figueroa has warned Jessie Magdaleno that he is preparing to unleash on him 14 months of frustration while he has been kept out of the ring.

The rival featherweights fight on Saturday at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena, on the undercard of the undisputed super-middleweight title fight between Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Jaime Munguia and on the occasion of Cinco de Mayo weekend.

Figueroa last fought in March 2023 when he earned a unanimous decision over Mark Magsayo in his second fight since Stephen Fulton Jr inflicted his only defeat.

He has since seen Fulton earn his biggest purse as the opponent for Naoya Inoue, and Luis Nery – who Figueroa previously stopped – installed to fight Inoue next. 

At 27, and perhaps entering his prime, his relative inactivity risks being even more costly, but he insists that his fellow American, 32, will be the one who instead pays.

“I feel great,” Figueroa said. “I want to put on a show for the Mexican fans. I know the atmosphere is going to be insane in the arena. I just can’t wait. It’s been so long since I fought, and I just can’t wait to give you guys a show.

“I have a very unique style – a unique style that the fans love. I’m a fan-friendly fighter. Everybody knows that you’re going to get action; all-action; a war. We’ve come here to fight; come here to give a good show, and I just can’t wait.

“I’m here to fight whoever, but most importantly I want to fight for the belts, and if Rey Vargas isn’t available let’s get the rematch [with Fulton]. I’m here to make big, amazing fights; fight-of-the-year candidates, and I’m here to fight, so let’s go.

“Everybody knows that I train 110 per cent; I’m a volume puncher. I just can’t wait to fight. I want to let my hands go – it’s been so long. I’ve been itching to get in the ring, and had a great opportunity to get on the undercard of a Mexican fight for Cinco de Mayo weekend. I’m just ready to go.”

Figueroa, whose opponent wasn’t present at the MGM Grand for Tuesday’s grand arrivals, was then asked for his prediction for the main event.

“Fans are going to win this one for sure,” he responded. “They’re both Mexican fighters. They both leave it all in the ring. Everyone knows that Canelo never disappoints; Munguia comes to fight and he’s hungry. It’s going to be an amazing main event. Amazing card all around. The fans are going to win, but I’m gonna have to go with Canelo.”