Bright Future

WESLACO - Most high school graduates spend time with their friends hanging out at the beach, going to the movies, or working over the summer months. However, recent Weslaco East graduate Omar Figueroa Jr. is spending it in the gym or in front of a camera.

The 18-year-old is preparing to make his boxing pro debut on June 21 at the Harley Davidson shop in McAllen on the under card of Cavazos Boxing's Budweiser Boxing Series as he will face Brownsville's Edwin Espinoza.

However, Figueroa Jr. is also getting ready to make his big screen debut as he is the star of the upcoming boxing film "Campeon", a story about a young migrant worker who ends up taking up boxing to change his life.

Figueroa talks about how he has been able to endure this busy schedule and still make time to have his fun.

"I try to set time aside to still hang out with my friends, even with my busy schedule," said Figueroa. "But, my main priority right now is to hit the gym and get in my workout and also work on the movie. It is a little crazy with everything going on, but I was able to tackle sports and school all the same time. So, this is actually the easy part."

Figueroa also talks about how his boxing career got started.

"The first time I got involved in boxing was when I was seven years old and was training with my father," said Figueroa. "Our family had been around boxing for quite a long time and I always enjoyed the sport and wanted to give it a try."

"I ended up fighting in a smoker's competition at the age of eight and lost my first two fights against a guy by the name of Luis Mena of San Benito. Most kids my age would get frustrated and want to quit. But, I kept working hard and was determined to get over it. At the age of 10 I finally won my first smoker's and was ready to excel in the sport."

Omar Figueroa Sr. said that he knew his son had a gift in boxing and would do whatever it took to see him succeed.

"Omar Jr. always was an athlete and a competitor in any sport he participated in," said Figueroa. "When he first stepped in the ring, I noticed that he was not scared and was willing to learn. From there, we just kept working and sharpening his skills."

"When Omar was 13, he fought in junior Olympics in Brownsville and lost some very close fights. But, at the age of 17, he became a state Golden Gloves champion and was the youngest competitor to compete at the state level that year. Now, he is preparing for his pro debut and he is like a little kid ready to enter the candy store for the first time in his life."

Little did Figueroa Jr. know that his boxing skills would land him a leading role in an upcoming movie.

Adrian Miguel Guerrero, filmmaker of the movie "Campeon", talks about the first time he saw Figueroa Jr, and knew he had his lead character.

"We had a casting in McAllen and Omar's dad brought his little brother to audition for the part," said Guerrero. "However, I ended up catching a glimpse of little Omar and he had the look of an actor. I ended up calling him over and asked him a few questions and knew right then and there I had my star. And to make things even sweeter, he was already a boxer."

"I ended up asking Omar Jr. to do a light session for me and was completely blown away by his speed and technique. That made my job a lot easier because I did not have to train someone to look like a boxer."

Guerrero talks about the movie and how Figueroa was able to fit in right away.

"The movie is about a migrant worker by the name of Miguel who is tired of the way his life has transpired and wants to do something about it," said Guerrero. "Miguel is bullied around school and has absolutely no luck when it comes to girls. He decides to take up boxing and starts training rigorously. From there he progresses and ends up getting in the ring and does very well."

"The lead character is a very quiet and reserved person, and that is actually Omar Jr. in real life. So, we were very fortunate to run into him and definitely are looking on some other projects with him in the near future."

Anthony Cavazos, president of Cavazos Boxing, said that he is excited about working with Figueroa Jr. in the ring and feels that he is destined for big things ahead.

"This young man has accomplished so much in the past couple of years and he kind of reminds me of a smaller Oscar De La Hoya," said Cavazos. "He has the talent and the looks, just like De La Hoya and has a very promising future ahead of him. A lot of people have been contacting me about the fight and asking about this kid. They have heard that he was making his pro debut and also was starring in a movie. He has become a celebrity of sorts."

Figueroa Jr. said that he intends to attend college in the fall, but wants to continue to pursue a career in boxing.

"I plan on training, going to school, and possibly getting a part-time job," said Figueroa. "I want to study architecture and possibly an engineer. However, I also want to keep boxing and see where it leads me. I feel that I can have the best of both worlds if I work hard at it."