State champions are set to be crowned this week as the 2023 Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association State Powerlifting Meets take place Wednesday through Saturday at the Comerica Center in Frisco.

Class 1A-2A starts at 8 a.m. today followed by Class 6A at 1:30 p.m. Class 3A Division II begins at 8 a.m. Thursday followed by Class 3A Division I at 1:30 p.m. Class 4A Division II competes at 8 a.m. Friday followed by Class 4A Division I at 1:30 p.m. Class 5A closes out the state meet with competition beginning at 8 a.m. for Division II and 1:30 p.m. for Division I.

For Edcouch-Elsa senior Georgina Alaniz, she has a chance to three-peat as a state champion in the 132-pound weight class. She enters this year’s Class 5A Division II state meet as the top ranked lifter at 132-pounds with a 1,075-pound total (450 squat, 220 bench, 405 deadlift).

“When I walk into a regional meet or state meet, it’s not, ‘You know what, I got this. I’m relaxed.’ It’s more of ‘I have to be humble to myself and know that anything can be taken away at any moment, so you have to fight for your lifts and work as hard as you can,’” Alaniz said.

Edcouch-Elsa’s Georgia Alaniz SIXTUM PICTURES

La Joya High’s Keily Guzman is another powerlifter to watch in the 132-pound weight class as she’ll be competing in Class 6A. She is coming off a regional championship and is only separated by five pounds from 6A’s leader at 132 pounds with a 985 total.

La Joya’s Keily Guzman concentrates on her lift during a Region V Girls Powerlifting Meet at Bert Ogden Arena Wednesday, March 1, 2023, in Edinburg,Texas. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected]) Delcia Lopez

Sharyland Pioneer’s Ketny Nicoleau went 4-for-4 in shattering regional records to qualify for the state meet and will look to build off a historical performance. Her 1,005 total ranks first in the state at 114 pounds and now she’s looking to raise the bar again, literally and metaphorically.

“This sets the bar higher,” Nicoleau said after her record-breaking day at regionals. “I know anything I didn’t get today, I know I can set the bar higher. I’m just going to keep putting in the work.”

Sharyland Pioneer’s Ketny Nicoleau lets out a yell as she broke the regional squat record during a Region V Girls Powerlifting Meet at Bert Ogden Arena Wednesday, March 1, 2023, in Edinburg,Texas. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected]) Delcia Lopez

San Benito’s Jaslyn Estrella looks to be in a tight race for a state championship in the Class 6A 259+ weight class. Her 1,205 total ranks No. 1 in the state among all classes, five pounds ahead of the next ranked lifter in Class 6A. Estrella is just a junior and hopes another standout performance can lead to opportunities at the next level.

San Benito’s Jaslyn Estrella pumps herself up before her lift during a Region V Girls Powerlifting Meet at Bert Ogden Arena Wednesday, March 1, 2023, in Edinburg,Texas. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected]) Delcia Lopez

“I’m trying to put my name out there for myself and hit more personal records,” Estrella said. “It’s something I love doing. As soon as I just got into it, I knew I loved doing it. I want to take it further than just high school, for sure.”

To view a complete list of THSWPA state qualifiers, visit RGVSports.com.

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Three Rio Grande Valley Class 5A baseball teams are ranked among the best in the state through three weeks of the regular season, according to Diamond Pro/Texas High School Baseball’s latest Top 25.

Weslaco East leads the pack at No. 9, followed by Sharyland Pioneer at No. 10. Sharyland High rounds out the local ranked squads at No. 18.

The Wildcats are 12-2 overall this season and 4-0 in District 32-5A competition. Weslaco East is set for a showdown against Brownsville Veterans at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Weslaco East High School.

The Diamondbacks are 13-1-1 through three weeks and 3-0 in District 31-5A play. Pioneer has a tough test on deck against McAllen Rowe at 7 p.m. Monday at Pioneer.

The Rattlers have an 11-2 overall record and are 3-0 in 31-5A. Sharyland High has a road game against PSJA Southwest at 7 p.m. Monday.

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EDINBURG — Edinburg North ran away with the team title at the Texas High School Powerlifting Association Region V Division I Meet with five first-place finishers Saturday at Edinburg High School.

Christian Gomez (1,495 total), Juan Saenz (1,660 total), Allan Benavides (1,860 total), Dante Ramones (2,055 total) and Maximiliano Zepeda (1,860 total) all claimed regional championships in their respective weight classes, which helped the Cougars post 40 team points. Edinburg Vela placed second as a team with 19 points, and Weslaco East took third with 12.

“We had some unexpected turns at the beginning of the year with getting a brand new coach, and just for everybody to come back and bring 10-11 guys to regionals and possibly to state is insane for our program to do that — to turn around,” Ramones said. “I’m proud of our team. We worked hard, and hopefully we can bring back a state title.”

They were among a group of South Texas powerlifters to punch their tickets to the THSPA state powerlifting meet March 24-25 at the Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene. Divisions II and III will kick off the state meet March 24, followed by Divisions I and IV on March 25.

Edinburtg North’s Juan Saenz during a RegionV Boys THSPA Powerlifting meet at Edinburg High school gymnasium Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Edinburg,Texas. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected]) Delcia Lopez

“Sending 10 guys to state is pretty good,” Saenz said.

Powerlifters qualified for the state meet in three ways: finishing in the top two in their respective weight class at the regional meet, reaching the weight class’ automatic qualifying total at the regional meet, or being one of the top two lifters in their respective UIL classification at the regional meet.

Points are awarded for the top five finishes in this manner — 7, 5, 3, 2 and 1. Each lifter goes through three different sets of lifts — squat, bench press and deadlift. The total weight combined from the three lifts determines the winner.

Edinburg Vela’s second-place finish was led by regional champs Justin Chapa in the 114-pound weight class and Marco Diaz in the super heavyweight class.

Diaz broke the regional bench press record with a lift of 565 pounds, topping Laredo United South’s Rudy Flores’ 525 set in 2015. Chapa broke the previous deadlift record of 470 pounds on his last lift of the day, which weighed in at 475 pounds. He scratched on his first attempt of 475 pounds but nailed his final attempt for the record. That added to his 1,195 total pounds from all three lifts, which set a new total record in the 114-pound weight class.

Edinburg Vela’s Justin Chapa during a RegionV Boys THSPA Powerlifting meet at Edinburg High school gymnasium Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Edinburg,Texas. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected]) Delcia Lopez

“On the first one, I knew I had it in the bag as soon as it came off the floor. They red-lighted me for completely pulling (the bar) off the ground before I started the lift, so the second attempt, I had so much confidence because if I could do it once, I could do it again,” Chapa said.

Donna North repeated with a regional champion in the 123-pound weight class, but this year it was Deondre Moody who had a dominant day to punch his ticket to state. Moody broke three regional records with a 545-pound squat (previous record 515), 315-pound bench press (previously 285) and a 1,290 total (previously 1,280).

“All the hard work finally paid off. All the work in the summer, it really means something to win,” Moody said. “I feel good about my squat and my bench (records), I really wish I could get that deadlift, though. On very little sleep, it feels good.”

Donna North’s Deondre Moody during a RegionV Boys THSPA Powerlifting meet at Edinburg High school gymnasium Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Edinburg,Texas. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected]) Delcia Lopez

Weslaco’s Sergio Lerma set a regional record in 2022 with a total of 1,680 pounds. He pushed himself to top last year’s mark and ended up setting a new regional record at 181 pounds with a 1,735 total, in addition to a new regional high in the deadlift with 675 pounds, five pounds more than the previous record.

“You can always be better, especially better than yourself,” Lerma said. “That’s my biggest thing — most people try to beat other people, but I want to beat myself. I want to be better than I was.”

Weslaco’s Sergio Lerma during a RegionV Boys THSPA Powerlifting meet at Edinburg High school gymnasium Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Edinburg,Texas. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected]) Delcia Lopez

McAllen Rowe’s Ryan Creasy won his regional title in the 242-pound weight class with a 650-pound deadlift, which increased his total to 1,760, five pounds ahead of Victoria East’s Ryan Cain’s 1,755. Weslaco East’s Logan Maldonado (1,325 total) finished first at 132 pounds, and La Joya Palmview’s Rey Pecina took first at 198 pounds (1,650 total).

A complete list of Region V state qualifiers from Division I-IV can be found at RGVSports.com.

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EDINBURG — UTRGV right-hander Jesus Aldaz and California Baptist starter Liam Rocha were locked in a pitcher’s duel for the first five innings of their Western Athletic Conference opener Friday night at UTRGV Baseball Stadium in Edinburg.

The Lancers broke through with a four-run sixth inning, however, to pull off a 6-3 win over the Vaqueros. UTRGV drops to 8-5 overall and 0-1 in WAC play. CBU improves to 7-6 on the year and 1-0 in conference.

“They’re a good team. We know who they are, and we know what they’ve done the last four years. They’ve been at the top of the league, won the league, so it’s going to be a really good series,” UTRGV head coach Derek Matlock said. “We’ve been in this situation before. We got a good couple starters coming through for us and that was their best guy, no doubt, on paper.”

The Vaqueros led 3-1 after a two-run homer in the fifth by Edinburg Vela alumnus Isaac Lopez. Aldaz was locked in for the first five innings, allowing just two hits, and it felt as if UTRGV was on its way to a win in its WAC opener.

Then, CBU answered with a run on a wild pitch, a pair of RBI doubles and an RBI single to pull ahead for good in the top of the sixth.

Aldaz (2-1) pitched 5 2/3 innings and surrendered five earned runs off six hits and two walks, striking out six. Sebastian Mejia took over in relief and pitched 3 1/3 innings with four punchouts and one earned run.

UTRGV right fielder Montclair Cain, third baseman Roberto Gonzalez and catcher Steven Lancia recorded two hits apiece. Cain drove in the first UTRGV run with an RBI single that scored designated hitter and Edinburg Vela alumnus RJ Ochoa from second after he reached on a walk and advanced on a wild pitch during the bottom of the second.

Matlock said the Vaqueros won’t be fazed being down 1-0 because they’ve been in this position before, after losing last week’s series opener against Houston in 13 innings before taking Games 2 and 3 to win the series. He knows California Baptist is among the best teams in the conference and is confident UTRGV can find a way to answer tonight and Sunday.

“We’re fine. It’s exciting to have a good team and a good bullpen and not be panicked over losing,” Matlock said. “(CBU) is good and played a really hard schedule. … Now, our backs are against the wall and it’s like we’re against Houston, we got to win two in a row, and this business is about winning a series.

The Vaqueros and Lancers will play Game 2 of their series at 6:30 p.m. today and Game 3 at noon Sunday, both at UTRGV Baseball Stadium.

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EDINBURG — The UTRGV baseball team is set to open Western Athletic Conference action this weekend, and they’ll do it in front of their home fans with a three-game series against California Baptist beginning tonight.

Game 1 between the Vaqueros (8-4) and Lancers (6-6) is at 6:30 p.m. at UTRGV Baseball Stadium in Edinburg. Game 2 is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Saturday, with the series finale slated for noon Sunday.

“There’s definitely been some really big moments, especially on the mound and with some guys on offense, but there’s been some disappointing moments also, so let’s don’t think it’s all fuzzy and warm for us. If you’d have told me we’d be 8-4 finishing the first part of the season, I’d have been probably pretty good with that,” UTRGV head coach Derek Matlock said. “Now we’re in the second part of the season, which is conference, and we’re facing, I think, one of the best teams in the conference. There’s always going to be a challenge, but we’re excited for the challenge.”

The Vaqueros are coming off a mid-week road loss against the Rice Owls and will be looking to bounce back against Cal Baptist. Friday night starter Jesus Aldaz will put his 2-0 record and 0.95 ERA up against the Lancers. The right-handed grad student from Phoenix, Arizona, has pitched 19 innings, allowing two earned runs off 11 hits and three walks while striking out 19.

At the plate, Edinburg Vela alumnus Isaac Lopez leads UTRGV with a .440 batting average with 22 hits, 14 runs, 10 RBIs and three home runs in 12 starts at second base. Lopez has reached base in all 12 games and recorded a hit in 11 of 12.

Tickets can be purchased at UTRGVTickets.com or in-person at the UTRGV Baseball Stadium box office.

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EDINBURG — Edinburg Vela’s baseball, football and soccer programs have established winning traditions since the school opened its doors. On Wednesday, four standout SaberCats from those three sports signed to take their games to the college level next year.

Senior Justin Navarro signed to play college football at Texas Lutheran, senior Natalia Cortez signed to play college soccer at Texas Lutheran, and seniors Jake Dufner and Bobby Garcia signed to play college baseball at Our Lady of the Lake inside the Edinburg Vela gym.

Texas Luthern is an NCAA Division III school in Seguin that competes in the American Southwest Conference in football and the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference other sports, including soccer. Our Lady of the Lake is an NAIA school in San Antonio that competes in the Red River Athletic Conference.

JUSTIN NAVARRO

Navarro starred in Edinburg Vela’s secondary as a sophomore and junior before transitioning to the receiver position his senior season and putting up some of the area’s best numbers. All three years, he was a dangerous returner with the ability to break any kickoff or punt for a touchdown.

He’s likely to move back to the defensive side of the ball at TLU, something he looks forward to as a ballhawk who is unafraid to step into the box and make tackles.

“I prefer safety, for sure, and the versatility helps a long way in playing either position,” Navarro said.

NATALIA CORTEZ

Cortez is a four-year letterman who has a knack for scoring on the soccer field. She was voted all-district newcomer of the year as a freshman, a first-team all-district selection and offensive player of the year during her three previous seasons at Vela.

This season, Cortez leads the SaberCats with 31 goals scored, which ranks among the best in the Valley.

The Texas Lutheran women’s soccer team is coming off a season in which it set a program record with 11 conference victories.

JAKE DUFNER

Dufner missed the 2022 baseball season with a shoulder injury but has returned to shutdown form with a 4-0 record this season. He has put together a 0.48 ERA and struck out 21 batters in 14 2/3 innings pitched so far. He also has eight hits for 12 RBIs in 13 games.

“This is just a great feeling. Vela has been there for us since Day 1 and helped us grow as athletes. We’re ready to go to the next level, and I’m glad I get to do it with my friends,” Dufner said.

BOBBY GARCIA

Garcia has shown the ability to be a dominant pitcher with a 12-2 record during his first three seasons with the SaberCats. This year, he has flashed with his bat as well, hitting .444 this season with nine runs scored and five RBIs.

Garcia also started at quarterback for the SaberCats in 2022, when he showed off his dual-threat ability.

“Being here four years and seeing the guys above us graduate and the standards that they set for us, it’s just been great. We’re just trying to raise the bar and meet those expectations,” Garcia said.

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McALLEN – McAllen Rowe defeated McAllen High on its home turf last Tuesday in the District 31-5A opener between the rival Warriors and Bulldogs.

McHi returned the favor with a 5-3 victory against Rowe Tuesday night at Rowe High School to split their district series 1-1.

The Bulldogs improve to 9-4 overall and 1-1 in 31-5A play. The Warriors drop to 8-5 and 1-1 in district.

Tied at 2 during the top of the third, McHi catcher Jack Millin led the inning off with a solo home run to left field. Sean Lara followed with a double and Maddox Braxton brought him home with a two-run shot to center field for the 5-3 final.

McHi starting pitcher Robert Avendano picked up the win with three innings of work, allowing one hit and two earned runs while walking eight.

Avendano worked his way out of a bases loaded jam with one out during the bottom of the third with a strikeout and pop out to end the inning, which kept the Bulldogs in front 5-2.

Alejandro Garza took over and pitched four scoreless innings for the save while surrendering two hits and one walk to three strikeouts.

Lara finished 2-for-3 with one run and a walk.

Rowe scored two runs during the bottom of the second, taking advantage of a McHi error. Ramiro Campos made it a two-run game with an RBI single during the bottom of the fourth, but that’s as close as the Warriors would get.

Campos also pitched four shutout innings and allowed no hits and two walks while striking out eight.

Next for McHi is a two-game series against PSJA North beginning at 7 p.m. Friday at PSJA North High School in Pharr. Game 2 between the Bulldogs and Raiders is at 7 p.m. Monday at McHi.

McAllen Rowe will take on Sharyland Pioneer at 7 p.m. Friday at Rowe. The Warriors and Diamondbacks are scheduled to play Game 2 at 7 p.m. Monday at Pioneer High School in Mission.

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EDINBURG — On the night of Feb. 5, UTRGV women’s basketball senior center Burcu Soysal received a phone call from her cousin in Turkey, the country she was born and raised in before moving to the United States to play college basketball at 17 years old.

Keeping in touch with her family in Turkey was normal, but there was something different about this call from home. It was at an hour when her family in Turkey should have been sleeping.

A 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit southern Turkey near Soysal’s childhood home in Hatay where her parents and extended family live. It was followed by aftershocks that included another 7.5 magnitude quake.

“I called her back and she told me, ‘There was a really big earthquake here. I reached out to everyone, everyone’s OK, only our cousin is under the rubble, but they’re trying to get her out. Don’t worry, everyone’s OK.’ And that was the only thing I heard from my extended family until the next day because phone lines were down, so I couldn’t talk to them,” Soysal said. “That was the only thing I heard and that’s how I learned about it. I couldn’t speak to my parents on the phone for two days.”

More than 45,000 people died in the disaster and homes like the one Soysal grew up in, and her family lives in, were destroyed in a matter of minutes.

Her family was stuck in their building for 45 minutes, unable to escape because of walls that came crashing down. An aunt had to be pulled out from underneath a wall that had fallen on top of her. Their door was blocked by rubble so they had to kick holes through another wall to force their way out.

Her cousin was trapped in the rubble with her husband and stuck for nearly 10 hours before they freed them from the devastation. Soysal’s family thought she was gone, but 20 minutes after the second earthquake of 7.5 magnitude hit, her cousin’s voice answered their rescue calls while searching for her. Her cousin was in a state of shock for weeks after the disaster.

“Thankfully my whole extended family is OK. When I heard about the stories, what my family went through, it was very terrifying,” she said.

“I just wish I could go back home right now and just be there and comfort them, but I know that’s not what they want. They want me to just keep going and don’t worry about them. Everything was very, very hard for me.”

Soysal left her home at 13 to pursue a basketball career, which led to starring on Turkish Under-16 teams and being named a member of the Turkish National Team. After two years of playing at Massachusetts, she transferred to UTRGV in 2019 and has spent the last five years in the Rio Grande Valley. Basketball opened the doors for opportunity, but it also made Soysal miss home over time.

UTRGV graduate student Burcu Soysal. Courtesy Photo – UTRGV Athletics

“For years, I had this thing where I didn’t want to be away from my family, then especially after this happened, it just made me feel terrible about it because I can’t be there for them and I don’t know how to help,” she said. “I just wish I could go back home right now and just be there and comfort them, but I know that’s not what they want. They want me to just keep going and don’t worry about them. Everything was very, very hard for me.”

After learning about the earthquake that Sunday night, or early Monday morning in Turkey, Soysal and the UTRGV coaching staff agreed time off would be best for her as she pushes through a traumatic situation.

She started hanging around practice after three or four days, and the next Monday, suited up for her first practice back since the earthquake devastated her home where her parents live in Turkey.

Immediately after practice, Soysal’s emotions surfaced.

“The first day of practice on Monday, it was very tough to focus and right after practice I had an emotional breakdown because that’s all I was thinking about,” she said. “I’ve been (playing basketball) for so long, I need to focus on what I’m doing in the moment, so that’s what I’ve been trying to do and take care of that stuff after.”

One of the people who has helped Soysal deal with the emotional aftermath is UTRGV women’s basketball assistant coach Ipek Turkyilmaz. She was born and lived in Turkey until 2006 before playing college basketball and becoming a coach in the U.S. She was also a member of the Turkish National Team from 2002-03.

UTRGV women’s basketball assistant coach Ipek Turkyilmaz (center) throws “Vs” up during the playing of the UTRGV alma mater following a game inside the UTRGV Fieldhouse in Edinburg. Courtesy Photo – UTRGV Athletics

“She always showed me her love and support and she’s basically my family, too. I love her hugs. She gave me hugs every time,” Soysal said. “Even though it didn’t affect Coach T’s city, it’s still very, very hard for her too and every Turkish person got affected somehow – emotionally, physically, financially – so it was very nice that Coach T was here.”

Turkyilmaz’s hometown of Izmir wasn’t affected by the earthquake, but she lived in Adana while playing basketball, an area that was significantly impacted by the earthquake.

“Dealing with this reality, it was very difficult. At that point, it wasn’t about Xs and Os. This was real life and I just wanted to be there with Burcu and if she cries, we cry together, we hug and talk,” Turkyilmaz said. “The one thing I’m thankful for is Burcu’s family is alive because you can’t really find whole families still alive or families that didn’t have their homes destroyed. … I can’t imagine losing everything. Life there is not back to normal. People are not able to work, people are not able to go to school.”

The whole team was there to support the player they call “Bu,” but having an assistant coach to lean on from Turkey who knows Soysal’s family and lived in the area was crucial to finding comfort. “She always showed me her love and support and she’s basically my family, too. I love her hugs. She gave me hugs every time,” Soysal said. “Even though it didn’t affect Coach T’s city, it’s still very, very hard for her too and every Turkish person got affected somehow – emotionally, physically, financially – so it was very nice that Coach T was here.”

This is Soysal’s last year of eligibility as she prepares to graduate with a degree in kinesiology. The UTRGV women’s basketball team honored Soysal along with three seniors on Senior Night against Sam Houston on Feb. 25 at the UTRGV Fieldhouse in Edinburg.

The three seniors were escorted by their families onto the court for photos prior to tip-off, and Soysal walked onto the court with Coach T on one arm, her boyfriend on her other arm and his parents behind them.

UTRGV graduate student Burcu Soysal walks onto the court on Senior Night accompanied by assistant coach Ipek Turkyilmaz and Soysal’s boyfriend at the UTRGV Fieldhouse in Edinburg. Courtesy Photo – UTRGV Athletics

One of Soysal’s dreams was of her parents walking onto the court with her on her senior day. But with all that happened in the last month, her dream didn’t come to fruition.

After pictures, however, attention was directed to the video board inside the UTRGV Fieldhouse. Her parents appeared with a loving video message for their daughter on her senior day that caught her by surprise.

“At that moment, I started crying right away. I couldn’t hear what they were saying, I was just super emotional to see them there,” Soysal said. “What’s crazy is I was talking to them before the game and I was like, ‘Oh, I wish you guys were here. This is one of my dreams.’ My mom was telling me, ‘We’re everywhere. We’re always there with you.’ My dad was like, ‘We’re going to be there with you.’ I’m thinking, ‘Yes, they’re in my heart all the time’, but it was very emotional to see them and I always feel their support and love with me, so it was very nice to see them.”

“This summer, I couldn’t go back home because of my Visa situation, so it’s hard to be away, but at the same time, people down here in the Valley and my teammates support me and my second family is here in my team and coaches. They support me a lot and were there for me when everything happened and I really appreciate it.”

Soysal’s family moved four hours away from where their home was completely destroyed by the earthquake and are living in a rental. They’ve rented until June, but don’t know what will happen after that, as the city and building they called home turned to rubble. Lost in it all are pieces of Soysal’s childhood and family belongings.

UTRGV women’s basketball director of operations, Victoria Peña, who played high school basketball at Edinburg North, started a GoFundMe to help Soysal’s family in Turkey.

“It’s hard. It’s not easy at all to be away from my family for so long, especially these last two years,” Soysal said. “This summer, I couldn’t go back home because of my Visa situation, so it’s hard to be away, but at the same time, people down here in the Valley and my teammates support me and my second family is here in my team and coaches. They support me a lot and were there for me when everything happened and I really appreciate it.”

To donate to the GoFundMe to help Soysal’s family, visit www.gofundme.com/f/turkey-earthquake-relief-for-soysal-family.

Weslaco’s Brandon “The Heartbreaker” Figueroa earned a unanimous decision victory against Mark Magsayo for the vacant interim World Boxing Council (WBC) Featherweight championship belt Saturday on SHOWTIME at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, Calif.

Two judges scored the fight 117-109 for Figueroa, with the third judge in favor of “The Heartbreaker” 118-108.

Figueroa (24-1-1) is now 2-0 since moving up to the featherweight division and will likely fight Rey Vargas in a featherweight championship unification bout at a date to be determined.

Magsayo was the more explosive fighter over the first few rounds, but Figueroa began to dominate during the middle rounds of the fight with his pressure, size and body punches.

“I can fight any style, backwards, forwards, lefty, righty. I felt I confused him and he just didn’t know what to do,” Figueroa said. “I felt strong. I’m relentless and I come forward.”

One point was deducted from Magsayo for holding Figueroa during the eighth round following multiple warnings through the first seven rounds of the contest. Referee Thomas Taylor deducted another point from Magsayo during the 11th round following repeated holds from the Filipino fighter.

Figueroa finished with a 60-52 edge in body shots, Magsayo landed three more punches overall, but Figueroa held a slight advantage in power punches landed 161-160.

Weslaco’s Brandon “The Heartbreaker” Figueroa is set to return to the ring this weekend, and he’ll be fighting for gold when he steps inside the squared circle.

Figueroa collides against Mark Magsayo for the vacant interim World Boxing Council featherweight championship belt Saturday on Showtime at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, Calif.

Figueroa (22-1-1, 17 KOs) and Magsayo (24-1, 16 KOs) headline the Premier Boxing Champions event on Showtime, which begins at 8 p.m.

“I can’t wait to get back in the ring to do what I love,” Figueroa said. “I want to fight the best, so I’m very motivated to be up against a former champion at featherweight like Magsayo. I’m confident that we’re going to give the fans a great fight, because neither of us like to take a step back. This is my chance to really show what I’m capable of at 126 pounds, and I’m just eager to dominate and prove it to the world.”

The 26-year-old Figueroa’s last fight was his debut at 126 pounds as he dominated Carlos Castro en route to a sixth-round TKO on July 9, 2022. It was Figueroa’s first fight since suffering the first loss of his career in what CBS Boxing voted the 2021 fight of the year, a majority decision defeat for the WBC and WBO super bantamweight championships against Stephen Fulton on Nov. 27, 2021.

Figueroa, the former WBC super bantamweight champion, now has a chance to win gold at featherweight, but he’ll have to get past Magsayo, who has already held gold at 126 pounds.

“Everyone is going to see that I’m coming with everything. I have to make a big statement at 126 and leave my mark. I’m trying to win more titles and show I’m one of the best,” he said. “I had a great training camp working in Las Vegas. I have an amazing team and I have my family supporting me. I can’t wait to give everyone a great show. I’m going to mix it up with Mark. I have nothing but respect for him, but I’m ready.”

A native of the Philippines, Magsayo won the WBC featherweight title Jan. 22, 2022, with a majority decision victory against Gary Russell Jr. then lost the belt against Rey Vargas in a split decision on July 7, 2022.

“This is a true Mexican vs. Filipino style matchup, and I can’t wait to get back in the ring to perform once again,” Magsayo said.

Figueroa has a 2-inch height advantage and 4.5-inch reach advantage on Magsayo. He said there are areas he can exploit in Magsayo’s game after his loss against Vargas.

“This is going to be early ‘Spring Break’ action. We’re both coming to fight and coming to win,” Figueroa said. “This is what boxing is all about. We’re facing the best of the best. Now we just have to put it all together on Saturday night and give the fans a great show.”

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