“Bad blood” is defined since the first modern use of the phrase in 1832 as “anger or hostility between persons or groups; this term is based on the old association with blood and emotion, particularly anger.” Now, fast forward 177 years to December 4, 2009 when reigning female Welterweight Champion of the World Holly Holm (26-1) faces Melissa “Huracan” Hernandez (11-1) for Holm’s WIBA title at a 140 pound catch weight..
The “bad blood” between Holm and Hernandez stems from their very opposite personal styles. Holly is cool, calm and collected; Melissa has more of a let- it- all hang -out -in your -face -style. Melissa is cocky and talks a lot of smack in an effort to hype herself and her fights. Holly lets her skill do the talking come fight night. Holly believes Melissa and her smack talk are tacky and some what disrespectful. Melissa says that Holly has no style- fighting or otherwise. This makes the competitive blood of both fighters boil. It also present women’s boxing with a compelling match that involves all the elements for a Fight of the Year candidate- skill, heart, guts and determination.
Examining both fighters’ the physical differences is extreme. Holly Holm stands 5’8 with waist length blond hair, blue eyes and girl next door looks. Melissa Hernandez is roughly 5’3, artfully tattooed, dark haired and dark eyed. Hernandez looks like the type that could cause trouble for the wholesome girl next door, and that is her intent during their title clash. “I want to fight Holly Holm,” Hernandez said, “because there’s a lot of talk SHE’S the best female fighter. However, here is my REAL number one reason- she’s nowhere as talented as I am. “I’m a small woman that fights anyone, anywhere,” she continued, “and she’s fought two of my fighters that I currently train, Belinda Laracuente and Ann Marie Saccurato, and my buddy Chevelle Hallback. Many scores I felt were very wrong to favor her. So that’s another reason.”
Melissa is also confident of what she brings to women’s boxing and her role within her sport. “What don’t I bring to it?” she asked. “I’m a show woman. I’m listed as pound- for- pound the best female in the world- Holly Holm is #2 ” she laughed. ” I can fight”, she said, “and I bring the new breed of female boxing- meaning I bring classic boxing to a sport that many thought women couldn’t do. Wake up and smell the coffee- women can box. People that have seen me fight know they’re in for a great show. I bring excitement, savvy and most of all swagger. It’s Melissa time!” Melissa also imparted a little advice to Holly Holm for the night of December 4: “Holly needs to go get sand bags to hold down her house when I come out and then have her rain coat on. There’s a pound for pound “Huracan” coming to New Mexico!”
“Bad Blood” Promoter Lenny Fresquez said this was the first time he had seen Holly Holm hostile toward an opponent. Even though Holm may be feeling hostile, she isn’t giving Melissa Hernandez the satisfaction of showing it prior to the fight. Even though she’s preparing to face a “huracan” the “calm before the storm” Holm is displaying may prove to be deadly.
“I think she is a very tough fighter,” Holly said of Melissa Hernandez, “and she wanted this fight. I am always up for a challenge that is put in front of me and figured this fight would happen sooner or later.”
Holly’s previous experience with Melissa was at an all female card in California, which aired live on Fox Sports Network. “I don’t think she carries herself very professionally,” Holly said. “She was trying to be very cocky and rude but I didn’t put too much mind to it.”
What Holly does put her mind to is winning- as she did on that card against Melissa’s friend and co-trainer Belinda Laracuente and demonstrating why she loves to box. “I think boxing is a sport that takes self determination and motivation and it is all you in that ring,” she said. “A fighter is totally exposed in there, but that is what makes a win even more of a sweet victory. That is why I love it. Yes, there is always the chance of a loss but the risk makes it even more exciting.”
Along with the loving risk and the thrill of one on one competition, Holly brings to the sport of women’s boxing the element of demonstrating what heart and hard work can do; hating to lose brings out the tough competitor in her. Holly acknowledged Melissa Hernandez is a tough fighter and is aware of how hard she campaigned to get this fight with her but issued what sounded like a storm warning to the “Huracan”: “She should be careful what she wishes for”.
“Bad Blood” is a joint promotion by Fresquez Productions Inc,. and Isleta Casino and Resort. Tickets are available through Fresquez Productions, 8218 Louisiana Blvd. NE , Albuquerque, NM 87113, 505-884-7484 and via the internet at http://isleta-casino.com/entertain/tickets.cfm). For more information and updates view www.fresquezproductions.com and www.hollyholm.com.
TEAM CINTRON LIVID OVER INTERIM TITLE FIGHT
With his win over Alfredo Angulo in May, Kermit Cintron earned the position as the top ranked contender to WBO Junior Middleweight champion Sergiy Dzinziruk. So, imagine the surprise of Team Cintron when they learned Saturday’s bout between #4 ranked Angulo, and #5 ranked Harry Joe Yorgey would be for the WBO’s interim title at 154 lbs.
The basis of the interim title fight taking place is the inactivity of Dzinziruk, who has not stepped into the ring since a November, 2008 defense vs. Joel Julio. However, based on the WBO’s ratings Cintron would be first in line for a crack at the interim belt. Yet, no offer was ever extended to Team Cintron to fight for the interim title, despite Kermit being ready to compete following a fifth round knockout over Juliano Ramos on October 24 in Puerto Rico.
“What sense does it make that I beat Angulo and now he gets to fight for the interim title, when I am the top contender,” asked Cintron. “I have done nothing but bide my time waiting for Dzinziruk, and now I’m on the outside looking in.”
The explanation given by those behind the interim title fight is that Cintron did not push himself for a bout with full title holder Dzinziruk earlier this year. That, however, is not accurate given Dzinziruk’s public, drawn out feud with promoter, Universum, his lack of marketability, and the absence of a mandatory notice from the WBO or a negotiating period being established.
Josh Dubin, the advisor and attorney to Cintron, is enraged by the decision of the WBO to sanction Angulo-Yorgey for the interim title and warns that he will do everything possible to ensure Kermit is treated with the respect he has earned.
“Boxing becomes problematic when fighters earn their stature outside, instead of inside the ring,” said Dubin. “Kermit earned his spot in the rankings by clearly defeating Alfredo Angulo in the ring. I am advising the WBO that we will take any appropriate action to ensure that Kermit Cintron is treated in accordance with his ranking. Two fighters below Kermit in the ratings have been elevated into greater financial opportunities and a better standing with the WBO. We will not tolerate Kermit being financially damaged by arbitrary and capricious decision making.
SERRANO TO FACE VETERAN ORRANTIA ON ‘THE PATH TO GLORY’ THIS FRIDAY NIGHT
TOP PROSPECTS IN ACTION AT THE DOUBLETREE IN ONTARIO
ORANGE (November 4, 2009) – On Friday, November 6th, Huntington Park’s unbeaten Hector ‘Teco’ Serrano returns to action at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California, in one of the featured bouts on Thompson Boxing Promotions’ latest edition of “The Path to Glory” series. Looking to spoil his perfect 9-0 record in the lightweight six rounder will be seasoned Los Mochis, Mexico native Jaime Orrantia, who replaces Raul Franco on the six bout card.
For tickets to “The Path to Glory”, priced at $75, $45 and $30, please call 714-935-0900.
In the eight round main event, Indio junior welterweight Patrick “El Elegante” Lopez (16-2, 11 KOs) – who is fresh off a spectacular first round knockout of Tyler Ziolkowski in September – looks for his second big win in a row when he takes on Hermosillo, Mexico’s Sergio “Pollero” Rivera (14-3-2, 10 KOs) in what is expected to be a pitched battle between two fighters who aren’t afraid to throw down.
Known as “Baby Dynamite” for his explosive style in the ring, Riverside’s Alberto Herrera (5-0, 4 KOs) has already built a sizeable fan following in Southern California. In the ‘Path to Glory’ co-main event, this promising junior middleweight battles Billings, Montana KO artist Jesus Vallejo (3-1, 3 KOs) in a bout not many are expecting to go the six round distance.
Looking to get back on the winning track after a rough two fight stretch against Mauricio Herrera and Danny Garcia, Tijuana’s Pavel Miranda (18-4, 10 KOs) has the determination and talent to do so, but he must first get by Vardan “Vito” Gasparyan (11-2-4, 5 KOs) of Los Angeles, a fighter with ‘upset’ on his mind for this welterweight six rounder.
6-0 with 4 KOs, Los Angeles featherweight Efrain Esquivias first made a name for himself as a 2006 National Golden Gloves champion. On November 6th he will look to improve on his perfect pro record against an opponent to be determined.
In the ‘Path to Glory’ opener, debutants Ramon Valenzuela Jr. of Chicago and Leonardo Sandival of Los Angeles meet in four round middleweight contest.
Bouts subject to change. Doors open at 6:30pm, and the first bell rings at 7:30pm. The Doubletree Hotel is located at 222 North Vineyard Avenue in Ontario. The hotel phone number is 909-937-0900.