Adrian Granados To Return To 140, Wants Omar Figueroa Clash

CINCINNATI--Adrian Granados was generally pleased with his recent performance versus Adrien Broner, but none too happy with the shenanigans leading up to their February 18 clash, nor the weight he had to carry in order to go through with the Showtime headliner.

Having reluctantly agreed to change the contracted weight from 142 lbs. to the full 147 lb. divisional limit, the Chicago-based spoiler did the best he could with the hand he was dealt but still felt out of place. A strong start gave way to a struggling finish as Granados came up just short in dropping a split decision defeat to Broner in their Showtime-televised headliner live from the Cintas Center at Xavier University in his opponent's hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio.

While in his heart believing he deserved the nod, the visiting boxer believed several variables factored into his reduced chances of pulling off the upset.

"I admit I felt sluggish with the extra weight, but I know that I outboxed him and should've gotten the win," Granados (18-5-2, 12KOs) told FightNights.com after the bout. "I had to take this fight at (welterweight) if I wanted to still go through with the bout.

"It was what it is, you know. But my next fight, I'm going back down to 140 lbs. where I belong."

The manner in which he suffered his latest setback was right in line with Granados' hard-luck career. All five career losses and two draws have all come either by split or majority decision. More disappointing than each fight night outcome is the fact that he was never given a chance at redemption in any of the aforementioned performances.

In that spirit, Granados isn't holding his breath for a rematch with Broner, despite calling for one during the post-fight press conference. Absent such a clash, he instead sets his sights on another grudge match.

"Of course I'd love to fight for a world title, but nothing has ever been handed to me in my entire life," Granados pointed out afterward. "I know Adrien won't fight me again. So maybe I'll go after someone like (former lightweight titlist) Omar Figueroa.

Such a fight could present similar issues to what he experienced heading into Saturday's dance with Broner, a former four-division champ used to getting his way at the negotiating table.

As Granados had to accept the bout at a compromised weight, it could very well be more of the same in pursuit of a showdown with Figueroa. The unbeaten Texan vacated his lightweight title in 2015 in favor of a run at 140-pounds, but it's been more of a stumble that has since come to a screeching halt. He missed weight for his eventual 12-round nod over Ricky Burns in May '15, and somehow converted an over-the-limit super lightweight clash with Antonio DeMarco into a 151-pound catchweight clash that was only revealed at the pre-fight weigh-in.

Figueroa hasn't fought since his Dec. '15 win over DeMarco, spending all of 2016 supporting younger brother and rising bantamweight prospect Brandon Figueroa from ringside and exploring other out-of-ring business opportunities. He did so while supporting a frame suggesting that a lot of work lies ahead getting back into fighting shape.

Still, he felt the need to offer some choice comments in public for Granados, who isn't quite ready to let it go.

"He decided to come at me talking tough on Twitter, attacking me out of nowhere," Granados revealed. "I'm not about that getting down on social media. We can settle up in the ring.