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07/13/2005 Archived Entry: "Miguel Hernandez Feels Good and Prepared for Kenny Kost This Friday!"
Miguel Hernandez Feels Good and Prepared for Kenny Kost This Friday!
By Juan C. Ayllon
Hernandez (left) mugs with J.J. Corn following his victory this last April while his son celebrates in the background (Photo by Juan C. Ayllon)
CHICAGO, July 13, 2005 – Popular super middleweight prospect “Macho” Miguel Hernandez, at 16-2-0, 9 KO’s, is looking forward to showcasing his skills for a national television audience this Friday at Chicago’s historic Aragon Ballroom. He will take on tough Kenny Kost, who at 9-1-0 and 6 KO’s, knocked down undefeated prospect and 2004 Olympics Gold Medalist Andre Ward in losing a unanimous decision this last February. As such, Kost perhaps presents his sternest test to date.
Hernandez spoke candidly with this writer about his outlook and preparations going into this bout.
On how he is feeling several days before fight time:
MIGUEL HERNANDEZ: I feel good, I feel real strong. It’s going to be a good fight! I’m looking forward to Friday!
On Kenny Kost’s performance versus Andre Ward:
MIGUEL HERNANDEZ: Well, I seen that fight; he hurt him really bad in the first round; he could have stopped him! I respect all fighters that come to fight; I’ve go t to be 100%. I’ve got to be at my best. I have to be confident in myself and I know it’s going to be a good fight.
I mean, he’s a strong fighter; he’s got good left hook punching power; I’ve just got to box; I’ve got good punching power too, so it’s going to be a good fight.
On Hernandez’ tendency at times in the past to smother his own punches:
MIGUEL HERNANDEZ: That’s what I’m working on and I’m trying to change that. I sometimes get frustrated and rush in instead of being patient and I smother my punches. I’m working on that. I’m learning on the job; I’ve only had nine amateur fights. I started really late and I have to learn from scratch.
On anything he’s done differently in training for this bout than bouts past:
MIGUEL HERNANDEZ: More running, if anything! I had a good training [camp]; I’ve been running outside; I ran a lot for this fight.
I sparred with [light heavyweight] John Williams, which that was good sparring; I sparred with Rudy Cisneros, Jose Ortega and Manuel Hernandez. It was good!
I sparred with John Roman Williams for more inside boxing; he’s a strong fighter! Rudy’s a good technical boxer. For speed, I sparred with Manuel Hernandez and Jose Ortega. And Sean—he was more of a Kenny Kost style and he was his height; he was good work. Sean he used to work and train at Windy City; he had a lot of amateur fights.
On upcoming plans, assuming all goes well versus Kost:
MIGUEL HERNANDEZ: Well, we’ll see. I’ve been already this year four fights. After this fight, I want to train a little bit more and see what Dominic has to offer me. He has plans for me to fight for a title. We’ll see what he has for me there. I’m going to fight for a belt like the NABA or NABO; if I win, I get ranked.
On how, if at all, he compares Kost’s and his performances versus common opponent Nathan Martin (Kost beat Martin by majority decision victory in six rounds this last February; Hernandez won by disqualification in the eighth round in June 2004):
MIGUEL HERNANDEZ: Every fight is different. Styles make fights. I was winning on all the cards when the fight got stopped. Nathan Martin is a tough fighter. It depends on what shape the fighters came in. This is a job that you can’t have a bad day; you have to be your best. There’s some jobs you can go in and do an 8 hour day. With boxing you can’t have a bad day.
Some last thoughts:
MIGUEL HERNANDEZ: I just want to tell David Estrada [who lost his bout last Friday vs. undefeated prospect Elvin Ayala by TKO] that we’re still proud of him. I’ve seen his last fight. He’s got great skills, he had a good amateur background; he’s going to make it. He supports most fighters here from Chicago and I want him to know that I support him.
I want to thank all the fighters who took time to spar with me. Hopefully one of us will make it. And it’s a good thing. Look at all the guys I sparred with. We all help each other. We might not all fight for the same promoter, but we all help each other and that means a lot to me.
My training has gone good and I’m excited for this fight. I think it’s going to make for a good TV fight!
Tell the fans that there’s going to be a lot of good fights, you know, Jimmy [Gonzalez] vs. [Michael] Walker. That should be a TV fight and there’s a possibility that it could be on TV if there’s a couple quick knockouts, so hopefully that happens.
That’s an understatement.
A portion of Friday’s fight card, including Hernandez' co-main bout, will be telecast on Telefutura’s Solo Boxeo television program. If you are in Chicagoland area, don’t leave things to chance. Make plans to catch all the exciting action live and in person!
Miguel Hernandez fights for Dominic Pesoli's Eight Count Productions.
