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11/03/2007 Archived Entry: "‘Macho’ Miguel Hernandez: I’m Giving It 110 Percent against Kodzoev!"
‘Macho’ Miguel Hernandez: I’m Giving It 110 Percent against Kodzoev!
By Juan C. Ayllon
CHICAGO, November 3, 2007—At 33 years of age, he’s in the twilight of his career. With the ominous cold of winter fast approaching, popular super middleweight boxer “Macho” Miguel Hernandez (20-6, 10 KO’s) has packed his bags. Today, he flies out of O’Hare International Airport en route to Boston, where he’s likely to get a chilling reception from his opponent.
Make that a Siberian reception. For on the sixth of November, Hernandez will face the rugged Russian, Aslanbek Kodzoev (18-2, 13 KO’s), at the TD Bank north Garden. Kodzoev—who’s won six of his last nine fights by knockout—is no joke and should prove a stern test for Hernandez.
Hernandez won the World Boxing Council United States Middleweight title back in February 2006 over Ryan Davis, fought two hard wars with former world champions Raul Marquez and Yori Boy Campas, and competed in this season’s “The Contender” boxing reality show.
Based out of Chicago, Hernandez works fulltime for The Beltway Railway, inspecting train cars come rain or shine. He also serves as an auxiliary policeman for the city of Cicero. As with all his fights, Hernandez is bringing his three boys and their mother, girlfriend Yolanda, to his fight.
Taking a few moments the evening before his departure, Hernandez shared his thoughts on his upcoming battle.
On his opponent:
I was scheduled to fight Donnie McCrary, but there was a change of plans. That would have been a tough fight, but right now I’m fighting a Russian guy, Aslanbek Kodzoev. He’s a tough fighter, and he comes to fight. So am I. He’s a big guy, he’s 5’ 10” and basically, I’ve got to be ready for anything.
On bringing his family to this fight:
My kids and my girl are going with me. It gets hard. I have to pay for them. The Contender gave me three tickets—one for me, one for a trainer [Freddie Cuevas], and one for Yolanda. And I had to buy three for my boys.
They have to be there. I won’t be the same without my boys in my corner. Win or lose, they’ve seen how hard I work to do this boxing thing. When they get older it’ll make them work hard for anything they want to do in life. Anything is possible when you give a hundred percent.
Between boxing and work, it takes away from time with my family. [This year,] I didn’t get to spend Halloween with my boys. Usually, I get to go trick or treating with them. But they understand. It’s something I’ve got to do.
On his outlook on this fight—and beyond:
It’s six rounds instead of 10. That’s what they offered us for the undercard. I trained hard. I’m in great condition. I’m going to give 110 percent. I don’t look at any fight easy. It’s “do or die.” I’m getting close to the end of my career.
I’m just working and training and hopefully land a good fight, which will help me out. I wouldn’t say I’m fighting for nothing, but the money’s spent already after taking time off from work. I manage myself. I’m out looking for sponsorships, and sponsorships fell through.
But you know, what I do it’s a blessing! To start [my boxing career] late like I did, who would have ever thought I’d get this far? I’m still learning at my age. It’s a hard game. I’ve just got to keep working hard. That’s it.
Parting Thoughts:
I want to thank all my friends and family for their support. I want to let them know I’ll give it 110 percent and hopefully I’ll come home with the victory. I want to thank Team Doctors—Dr. Stoxen, The Belt Railway of Chicago, and Cicero Auxiliary Police.
I want to thank my cousin [for his support]. He’s at home now. I want to let him know I love him with all my heart. He’s going to beat this cancer!
I also want to thank the [boxers] “Weezel” David Estrada, Michael Walker, Shay Mobley, Chase, and Andrzej Fonfara [for their help with preparations and sparring].
I want to give a shout out to Billy from GNA Towing, too.
Thanks also to Cyber Boxing Zone. Without you guys, they wouldn’t know about Chicago fighters!
* * *
Calling later from the airport, Hernandez said that trainer Freddy Cuevas was with him, his boys, and Yolanda at the airport.
“He’s a new part of my family,” said a laughing Hernandez, who, like most boxers, is on a strict diet to make the weight limit for his fight. “Freddie Cuevas is a crazy guy. He’s hiding and grabbing a donut and coffee. He doesn’t want me to see it!”
Make no mistake about it: a fire burns in the belly of Miguel Hernandez. Even though it's growing cold outdoors, it's summertime in Hernandez' heart. And with the support and love of family and friends, he should do just fine.
