By Terrell Groggins

Janelson Figueroa is locked in right now preparing for his third Showtime’s ShoBox: The New Generation. appearance vs Shinnard Bunch July 23rd. I was able to get a two-for-one interview with Janelson, and his father Nelly.

Figueroa is an undefeated fighter in the popular welterweight division. He’s climbing the ranks sitting at 15 in the WBO.

“My boxing goal is to be the best-known fighter for doing what he does because there are a lot of people that just go out there and pick fights that say I don’t want to fight him, I don’t want to fight him. I’ll fight anybody I’ll fight everybody, just give me my opportunity to be in there with the greats and I’ll show you that I am the greatest.”

Terrell: What do you have to prove?

“I have to prove I am the greatest this is my passion this is something I was born to do this, this wasn’t something that I like it a joke let me just hop in the ring like hey I’m Logan Paul, Hey I’m Jake Paul no this came from a generation of fighters, and I’m going to show that I am the greatest”

Shinnard Bunch you about to get your ass whooped better be focused, you better be ready for July 23rd because I am. Straight up.

Figueroa sounds excited to be back in the ring especially after signing a promotional deal with Salita Promotions during The Covid-19 Pandemic. “Salita was a successful boxer now a promoter, I think it’s a great thing because as a former boxer he’s been in the ring that experience is valuable, there are also things that he could have done better in his boxing career that he’s now sharing with me I’m thankful for having the opportunity to fight on Showtime shoutout to them too, Salita promotions we are going to the top. “

After talking to the undefeated welterweight It became clear to me that the confidence he has is about legacy. His father speaks on their legacy in the sport of boxing

” Boxing means a lot in our family because it runs in our bloodline. It’s something that we want to achieve. In our family’s generation, we’ve all been boxers but we haven’t had a World Champ with the last name Figueroa to carry that Title. So that’s what I’m doing with my son. It means a lot because we’ve been dedicated to working hard since childhood to get to this moment.”

Bringing boxing back to life in Detroit has been the running theme for years, I’ve been working with Salita for years documenting behind the camera to put a spotlight on the fighters he’s worked with, alongside all of Detroit boxers. I asked Nelly what would it mean if his son was able to have a world title fight here in Detroit

Nelly

“It would be something big but I know that there’s a bit more room for improvement even though he’s only 22 and he’s at such a strong level already. He can fight with anyone but we’re taking it step by step, waiting for the opportunity to arrive. When that moment comes, I know that with God first, we will be ready.”

Check out the Feature I directed, I spoke with the father and son boxing duo Janelson and His father Nelly