Brownsville native Omar Juárez fights tonight on Showtime

Brownsville native Omar “El Relámpago” Juárez knows it is an important fight in his career when he steps into the ring tonight against Rances Barthelemy as the co-main event of a Showtime Championship Boxing card that starts at 8 p.m., with the headline fight being Rolly Romero vs. Ismael Barroso.

Juárez (14-1) is on a three-fight win streak but faces arguably his toughest opponent in Barthelemy (29-2-1).

“At the end of the day, I am ready,” Juárez said during a Showtime Championship Boxing press conference Thursday. “We are both putting everything on the line. It is whoever is tougher at the end of the day, so I am ready.”

Barthelemy is a former two-time world champion. The Cuban boxer held the IBF junior lightweight and lightweight titles. It has been seven years since Barthelemy held a title, and he is coming off a loss in his last fight.

Juárez’s only loss in his career was in 2021 to All Rivera, an opponent Barthelemy beat prior to Rivera fighting Juárez.

The Brownsville native has bounced back with wins over Austin Dulay, Ryan Karl and Jairo Lopez. Juárez last fought in December 2022, picking up a 96-91, 96-91, 94-93 unanimous decision. Juárez has five career knockouts.