Omar Figueroa Jr., enjoying process, looking forward to battle with Sergey Lipinets

Omar Figueroa Jr. didn’t look good the last time we saw him in the ring.

The former lightweight champion was outclassed and then knocked out in the sixth round by Abel Ramos in May of last year, almost two years after his previous fight. Many believed it was time for him to move on to his next endeavor.

That’s not what Figueroa wanted, though. He sorted through some issues, including mental health challenges, got back into the gym and now will face former beltholder Sergey Lipinets in a WBC 140-pound title eliminator Saturday in Hollywood, Florida, on Showtime.

Figueroa, 32, sounded as if he’s in good frame of mind Thursday at the final news conference before the fight.

“I’ve been a fighter for 27 years now, and the sport hasn’t always been the nicest to me,” said the older brother of Brandon Figueroa. “We all know about my mental health struggles, but for the first time I got to enjoy training camp. I got to enjoy dealing with all that a training camp provides.

“If this is my last fight, I’d be happy with that. But I know I’m not done, and I have a lot left in the tank. I love this sport too much and there’s not anything else that would fulfill me the same. I’m excited for Saturday. I’m pumped like I’ve never been before.

“I finally got to enjoy myself and I think I’m going to enjoy Saturday night. I’m looking forward to a war with Lipinets.”

Figueroa (28-2-1, 19 KOs) was scheduled to face Adrien Broner on Saturday but Broner pulled out Monday citing his own mental health.

Lipinets, who said he has been training for three months, agreed to step in and here we are. The U.S.-based native of Kazakhstan isn’t as accomplished as Broner, a former four-division titleholder, but he’s probably at a higher point in his career.

The tough volume puncher is coming off a sixth-round knockout loss to Jaron Ennis at 147 in April of last year, after which he decided to move back down to 140.

Figueroa seems to understand that Lipinets (16-2-1, 12 KOs) might present a stiffer challenge than Broner would have, particularly because he hasn’t had much time to prepare for a different style.

“Obviously we were preparing for a certain style, but the fight fell through, so I just have to take all my experience and the things I’ve learned all these years and apply it toward Sergey,” Figueroa said. “He’s no pushover and he’s a former world champion. We know we have our hands full.

“All the troubles with camp, and dealing with the weight cut and all that camp entails, I was hoping to take it out on Broner. And now I have to take it out on Sergey. It’s me against him.”