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01/26/2006 Archived Entry: "Jose Hernandez Looking to Step Things Up, Win Big in Cicero!"
Jose Hernandez Looking to Step Things Up, Win Big in Cicero!
By Juan C. Ayllon
Photo by Neil Manaligod
Hernandez (left) mixes it up with Cordoba last November!
ROUND LAKE, IL, January 26, 2006 – Round Lake is a mixed, burgeoning northern suburb of Chicago. Situated south of the Illinois-Wisconsin border, it is still within striking distance of Chicago—a city renowned for its commerce, bright lights, and entertainment.
At 19-2 and 13 knockouts, Jose Andres Hernandez senses that his boxing career is within striking distance of stepping it up into the big leagues. This Friday, he aims to move one step closer to that goal, as he takes on Antonio Escalante, 10-1 with seven knockouts, in the co-main bout of a show co-promoted by all-time great boxer turned promoter Oscar De La Hoya and broadcast by Telefutura’s ‘Solo Boxeo.’ The show is also co-promoted by Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions.
Originally from Ciudad Juarez, CH, Mexico, Hernandez brings a crowd-pleasing, all-action Mexican featherweight style to the ring. Following his weigh-in, Hernandez visited briefly with the Cyber Boxing Zone to discuss Friday’s bout.
JUAN AYLLON: How do you feel about Friday’s fight?
JOSE HERNANDEZ: We’re really excited. I’m happy. We just got done with the weigh ins and everything came out the way we expected. And, we’re ready to go.
JA: What do you know about your opponent, Antonio Escalante?
JH: We know he’s got quick hands. I know that he throws a lot of punches, but we’re prepared for that. We’re prepared for as many punches as we need to throw. And our speed’s got a lot better than the last fight.
JA: How did you improve that speed?
JH: We’re working out more with dumbbells and stuff like that everyday. And even the training, itself, got me faster.
Well, we use dumbbells—one pound and two pounds—and I shadow box with that. ‘Cause I really throw a lot of fast punches [and] increases my speed.
JA: Tell us a little more about your training and what you’ve been doing.
JH: Well, my training really went up to more miles of running, more sparring. I mean, they had three, four guys every time I sparred and after two or three rounds, they threw somebody in fresh. And throwing more and more punches at me to get me in condition for a war!
I highly doubt it’s going to be a war. I really want to make it easier than I have to.
JA: Tell us about the guys you’ve been sparring with.
JH: Well, sparring, I sparred with Jose Ortega, Emmanuel Hernandez. It was a bunch of different guys. And of course I helped Jose Ortega, who’s fighting on the card. Emmanuel Hernandez will also be fighting [later on] in Chicago. They’re all about 5’ 6”, the same height as my opponent. It was very intensive sparring. The other guys were a bunch of guys Sam brought in. I didn’t learn their names, but I sure learned their styles! And every time they got in, I could see Sam Colonna telling them, ‘Throw a lot of punches at him.’
And, well, I know what to expect from Escalante.
JA: Any prediction?
JH: I know it’s going to be a tough fight. Hopefully, I can connect and I really don’t think he’ll be able to take my power once I connect. And, hopefully, it’s an early night. And if it doesn’t, we’re ready for 10 rounds.
JA: Assuming all goes well, what next?
JH: Well, after that, we’re looking for a national title now. We’re looking for bigger fights. I think it’s that step up we’ve been looking for. It’s here. So, we’re ready for the bigger fights.
Jose Hernandez will appear on “Ring of Fire," an internationally telecast production via Telefutura’s ‘Solo Boxeo’ taking place at Cicero Stadium in Cicero, Illinois. The main event will feature a 12 round battle between Marco Antonio Rubio, 32-2-1 and 29 knockouts, and Russian Aslanbek Kodzoev, 16-1-1 with 11 knockouts.
Cicero Stadium is located at 1909 S. Laramie. Doors will open at 6 PM, with the first bell scheduled for 7 PM. Tickets, starting at $30 can be purchased in advance by calling 312-226-5800.
