05.04.07 – CHICAGO — “I’ve been in the gym preparing for three weeks already and everything is running smoothly,” said Chicago-based featherweight Jose Hernandez while training at JABB Boxing Gym as he prepares for his showdown with former world champion Rocky Juarez on May 5th. “This is a terrific opportunity for me, it’s a real step up to fight someone of Rocky’s caliber but I feel I’m truly ready for this fight.” ..
Hernandez will face Juarez in the co-main event on Saturday May 5th as the featured undercard televised bout for the super fight between Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather at “THE WORLD AWAITS”, broadcast live on HBO Pay-Per-View from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Said the classy 31 year old Hernandez, “I know Rocky’s style well, we’re both tough Mexican American fighters and neither of us will have to look very hard for the other. I’ve seen him fight numerous times including his fight with Humberto Soto in Chicago and it’s obvious he’s a very skilled guy with a warriors heart.”
The twelve round bout will be contested for the WBA Fedelatin Featherweight Championship vacant title. Hernandez, 22-3 with 14 KO’s is coming off a devastating HBO televised knockout of undefeated prospect Jason Litzau on December 16, 2006 at the Miccosukee Resort and Casino in Miami , Florida . After dropping Litzau in the first, Hernandez finished the fight in brilliant fashion by earning the stoppage in the 8th, a knockout many boxing writers had on their KO of the Year list for 2006.
Earlier in 2006, Hernandez and hot prospect Antonio Escalante battled through ten rounds of war in Chicago , Illinois with Escalante winning a very close decision in a SOLO BOXEO televised bout that won acclaim from many as a Fight of the Year candidate which featured both warriors getting dropped and badly hurt while still fighting valiantly on to the final bell.
Juarez , 26-3 with 19KO’s, is coming off a fifth round destruction of Emmanuel Lucero on February 9, 2007 at the Desert Diamond Casino in Tucson , Arizona . In 2006, Juarez battled boxing legend Marco Antonio Barrera twice, losing both decisions by the narrowest of margins.
Speaking about his most recent fights, Hernandez stated, “I’ve heard the tag ‘TV fighter’ since the Escalante fight which I can understand. Fans want to see action and both the Escalante and Litzau fights provided that. The Juarez fight should prove to be a similar style, action oriented fight.”
About his first fight in Las Vegas on the biggest boxing stage in recent years, Jose said, “I fully realize the magnitude but I won’t get too caught up in that. The ring will be the same size and once the bell rings and you throw a few punches it’s just about doing my best in the ring against Juarez.”
In closing, the Hernandez added, “I just want to thank my longtime fans in Chicago who have supported me since I was an amateur and also to my promoter for getting me this opportunity.”
Hernandez is promoted by Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions.
Said Pesoli, “This is a great opportunity for Jose and I’ve very grateful to Oscar De La Hoya and Eric Gomez at Golden Boy Promotions for offering us the fight. I’ve worked with Rocky Juarez when I co-promoted his fight against Humberto Soto at the Allstate Arena, both he and Jose are true warriors and the fans are in a for a terrific fight on May 5th. “
8 Count Productions was started by Dominic Pesoli in 1997 and has consistently presented the highest quality professional boxing events in Chicagoland. In 2003, Pesoli along with former featherweight contender Mike Garcia opened JABB Boxing Gym, a 6,000 square foot venue dedicated to the finest Chicagoland boxers of all talent levels.
For more information on 8 Count Productions and JABB Boxing Gym, please visit www.8countproductions.com and www.jabbboxinggym.com