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03/24/2006 Archived Entry: "‘Macho’ Miguel Hernandez to fight Raul Marquez April 29th"
‘Macho’ Miguel Hernandez to fight Raul Marquez April 29th
By Juan C. Ayllon
Photo by Dr. James Stoxen, DC
Miguel Hernandez with his WBC U.S.A. Middleweight Title Belt
CHICAGO – John Fitzgerald Kennedy once said, “When written in Chinese, the word ‘crisis’ is composed of two characters. One represents danger, and the other represents opportunity.”
By that definition, World Boxing Council U.S.A. Middleweight Champ “Macho” Miguel Hernandez is having a planned crisis at the Coushatta Casino and Resort in Kinder, Louisiana on April 29th.
When plans for a fight against “Contender” star Sergio Mora recently fell through, an opportunity to fight former International Boxing Federation Light Middleweight Champion Raul Marquez arose and Hernandez jumped on it.
At 19-3 with eight knockouts, Hernandez is taking a big step up in competition versus Marquez, whose record is 35-3 with 24 knockouts. However, Marquez’ last bout, a loss by technical knockout to the current undisputed Middleweight Champion of the World, Jermain Taylor was a little over a year and a half ago, on June 19, 2004. That's a long time to sit idle as a professional boxer.
This is a crossroads match for both fighters. For Hernandez, it is an opportunity to step up his career versus an experienced ex-champion, whereas for Marquez, it is a chance to come back against a solid up and coming fighter in hopes of making another pass at a title.
Following an evening run, Hernandez spoke about his upcoming fight with the Cyber Boxing Zone’s Juan Ayllon via telephone.
JUAN AYLLON: Tell us how your fight versus Marquez came about.
MIGUEL HERNANDEZ: Well, I was supposed to fight Sergio Mora in May and we agreed on everything, but ESPN didn’t accept it, or something like that. Something happened.
So, before that, Raul Marquez, when we were trying to work out that deal, he got on FightNews and was calling Mora out. He said some pretty harsh things. He didn’t mention my name, but he said, ‘I heard Mora was looking to fight and the guy they’re looking to fight, I wouldn’t want to use as my sparring partner.’ He was saying things like that.
I know that he’s trying to get him to fight. But, I thought, hey, if I don’t get that fight, why not get a fight with an ex world champ? It means a lot to me.
The money isn’t all that great. I thought I was going to get a money fight, to at least make something good. I felt with Sergio Mora, the money would have been better, but I think the opportunity for this fight is more. For me, money isn’t everything. And, you can ask anybody; that’s the way I am.
I’m looking for an opportunity to fight a guy like this. I’m just going to give it my best, train hard and see what happens. I think I can beat him.
JA: Will this be to defend your WBC USA Title?
MH: No, no. Actually, too, the contract weight is a little bit heavier: 161 plus one. Like I said, this is an opportunity. Some guys look for the million-dollar fight. I have kids and everything; I would love to get an opportunity to fight for a million dollars, but I look forwards to getting fights like this—get in the same ring with a guy that’s fought Fernando Vargas, Shane Mosley, Jermain Taylor, [and] Yori Boy Campas. You know, little things like that mean a lot to me. This is another dream come true. I’ve got nothing to lose, so we’ll take it from there. Once again, I’ll be the underdog.
JA: What are you doing to prepare for this bout?
MH: You know, the same thing; if it ain’t broke, why try to fix it? I’m going to keep running. The only different thing is I’ll be sparring a lot more with southpaws. He’s left-handed. But, I’ll show you. Look it: I took this fight and I’m out here to fight. I look for opportunities. And for me, I took the best opportunity. God willing, if everything goes good, my next [fight] should be a good pay. There’s no excuse not to give me a fight that’s going to make me some money.
So, that’s an opportunity. If I don’t win the fight, then I get to say that I fought a world champion. I can’t go wrong.
JA: What’s next on your horizon?
MH: Well, I don’t ever look past a fight. This guy, I’m a hundred percent to fight him. Don’t take my being so kind right now like I’m going to be [nice at fight time]; I’m going in there to fight. When we get in the ring, all that [stuff] that he’s done and all his accomplishments, that’s something that I want to do. I want to be a world champion. I want to fight for the big money that he fought for.
You know, right now, I’m glad to say that I get to meet the guy! Maybe we can take a couple pictures. But after that, once we get in there to fight, that’s what it’s going to be, a fight!
JA: This match aside, did you not sign a contract to defend your title in so many days, and how does that play out here?
MH: You know, what man? Like I said, I fought for the belt and I’ve got a good opportunity to move on, to grow as a fighter. And once you get an opportunity, you try to take it. I don’t have the luxury of sitting and waiting. So, I’ve got to take it when it comes.
If I would have fought Sergio Mora, it wouldn’t have been for the belt anyways. What was I fighting for? He was ranked higher. I would have [taken] his ranking. Just like right now, I’m ranked number 23 in the world for the WBC, and that’s what Raul wants to take from me, you know? My job is I’ve got to upset him. It’s not going to be easy. You know, nothing in life is easy. Let’s see what happens.
JA: Now, did you negotiate this fight through Dominic Pesoli?
MH: Oh yeah, Dominic, I want to thank my promoter and 8 Count for their good work. They try to get me the best money they can.
For this fight—you can ask Dominic—I’m not getting paid anything. I mean, this is just an opportunity, and I’m thrilled for it. I thank him. His job is to make my fights and my job is to go out there and win it. As a promoter, he gets my opportunities and this is my opportunity.
So, I’m trying to do what I can with it. We’ll see April 29th. I have nothing to lose. I’m excited!
JA: Are you sparring now?
MH: Not yet. We’re trying to set up the sparring. We have plenty of time. There wasn’t a two-week notice, or something like that.
JA: You’ve talked before about the support you have with Chicago fighters. I’ve heard something else from another fighter, that when you go to someone else’s gym, they really make a war of it because of the pride factor. Is this something you encounter?
MH: You know what? I have encountered it. I mean, at Windy City when I first started, every sparring session was a war. They want to do their best. Also, if you get hit with a good shot, no matter who you’re sparring with, you’re going to want to retaliate.
I did some sparring with Michael Walker. We sparred four hard rounds. We really helped each other.
We have a lot of good guys, like Jorge Hernandez. I think we work good over there at Windy City.
And I can’t speak for them, but if someone else from Chicago wins a title, I’ll be be happy for them.
JA: Any last thoughts?
MH: Of course, I want to thank Dominic Pesoli for all his help. I also want to thank Jorge Gonzalez, Michael Walker, David Estrada, Germaine Sanders—there’s a lot of good fighters out here in Chicago that helped me out; we helped each other out.
And, of course, I can’t forget my trainer, Sam Colonna.
A special thanks goes out to Team Doctors' Dr.Stoxen for giving me advice on my diet and strength training.
Also, I want to thank a good friend of mine, “Cuco.” He went to Miami to support me when I won the title. His sister, Elsie Jimenez, just passed away today. I want to send my condolences. My prayers are with her, that she rest in peace.
