Interim WBA Featherweight Champion Brandon “The Heartbreaker (25-1-1, 19 KOs) retained his title with a vicious ninth-round knockout via body shot over former world champion Jessie Magdaleno (29-3, 18 KOs).
A former world champion at super bantamweight, Figueroa continued to show that his power has moved up with him to featherweight, scoring his second knockout in three fights at the weight. Figueroa got off to a slow start however, as Magdaleno was ahead on two of the three cards through four rounds.
"I just had to be patient,” said Figueroa. “He was blocking the body shot with his arm, but I had to wear him down to get the opening. I waited and I got it.”
"I'm more annoyed because it was such a close fight,” said Magdaleno. “I tried to get up with all my might, but once you're hit in the right spot, it's hard to get up."
Magdaleno seemed to have success landing counter left hands, while Figueroa smothered much of his work in the early frames. As the fight wore on however, Figueroa began to find his offense and surged ahead. This included a big ninth round in which he out landed Magdaleno 32 to 13.
Right before the final bell rang in round nine, Figueroa landed the decisive punch, a blistering left hook to the body that left Magdaleno in a heap on the floor. Magdaleno was unable to reach his feet as referee Allen Huggins counted him out, with the official stoppage coming at 2:59 into the round.
"I heard the 10 second sound and I wanted to create some space and right when I extended my right arm, he threw the left hook to the body and caught me right in the liver,” said Magdaleno. “It just took my legs out.”
“I might have been a little rusty not fighting for 14 months, but hats off to Jessie, it was a great fight,” said Figueroa. “I felt very relaxed in the ring. I knew I had to jab my way in, break him down and get that opening."
Esther Lin / Premier Boxing Champions