Jim Whelan Boardwalk—-Justin Figueroa looks more like a GQ model than a professional boxer but don’t let the pretty boy looks fool you. Figueroa is a natural in the ring.
After Figueroa loaned his opponent Tavaris Smith a pair of boxing shoes Saturday night, he then knocked him off his feet.
Smith left his shoes home in Toledo, Ohio when he arrived at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, so Figueroa got a pair out of his equipment bag.
Figueroa wasted little time going to work immediately dropping Smith with RD1 KO (1:34) to earn his first professional win at the junior-middleweight division.
He jumped on Smith (0-5) at the start of the round and hit him with a barrage of punches that forced him into his corner. Figueroa landed another six-punch flurry that sent Smith to all fours. Referee David Fields Lee completed the 10-count at one minute, 34 seconds of the junior-middleweight bout that was scheduled for four rounds.
“The fans really gave me a boost,” Figueroa said. “I’m from Atlantic City and to fight in my hometown means everything to me. This was like a dream come true.”
He sold approximately $17,000 worth of tickets to fellow lifeguards, Holy Spirit classmates, friends, and family members. Figueroa took care of his business just like he was supposed to.
Figueroa gave his fans more to cheer about—-when the bout was over, he did the worm across the canvas sending his loyal base fans into a frenzy.
