Figueroa, 8-0 (3KO’s) won the WIBA Americas Lightweight Title in her last fight, a unanimous decision over Eva Lidia Silva on May 12th at the Aragon Ballroom on the 8 Count Productions’ War By The Shore event. She will featured in a six round bout on Friday night against veteran Leora Jackson of Springdale, Arkansas.
Said Figueroa, “I have trained hard for Friday. Sam had great sparring for me, and made sure I did all the work needed to be successful Friday night. We really don’t know much about her, but will be ready for whatever she brings.”
Said Dominic Pesoli, “Rita’s built a huge following and she truly exemplifies the warrior spirit that our fans have come to expect with boxers at our events.”
Newly crowned WBC interim Lightweight World Champion David Diaz will be honored during this evening of six outstanding bouts. Diaz, who won his title with a stunning 10th round TKO of Jose Armando Santa Cruz on Saturday, August 12th in Las Vegas, NV as part of the HBO Pay Per View broadcast, will return to the scene of two of his biggest wins, over Jaime Rangel and Silverio Ortiz.
Speaking about David Diaz, Rita stated, “David winning the title was just awesome. He is a warrior. He is a motivation to us in the gym, and an inspiration to us when he fights. I am so happy for him.”
The full fight card for Friday night is as follows;
Jose Hernandez vs. Lenny DeVictoria, 8 rounds, featherweights
Luciano Perez vs. Francisco Rincon, 8 rounds, welterweights
Barbaro Zepeda vs. Yamin Mohammed, 8 rounds, featherweights
Mike Mollo vs. Willie Walker, 6 rounds, heavyweights
Rita Figueroa vs. Leora Jackson, 6 rounds, lightweights
Achour Esho vs. Will Diamond, 6 rounds, super lightweights
The open to the public weigh-in for this event will take place on Thursday, August 24th
at Marisco El Veneno Restaurant, 6651 S. Pulaski starting at 7pm.