NATIONALLY RANKED
LOCAL BOXER
on De La Hoya/Mayweather Undercard in Las Vegas
On HBO, MAY 5th

Jose Andres Hernandez causes boxing drama to reach new heights

by Sandy Dickson

     If you’re looking up Jose Andres Hernandez on a web site, you’re probably a boxing fan. And if you’re not a boxing fan, chances are you’ve still heard his name on the news, so here’s your chance to learn a little more about a phenomenal boxer and how one gets that way.

What draws a person into becoming a boxer? Must one have a mean streak to even want to get in the ring and be a triumphant terror?   
  
    Well, in 31-year-old super-featherweight Jose Hernandez’s case, he doesn’t have a mean streak. In fact, he’s a heck of a
nice guy. But he wants to be at the top of his sport and he’s in top form to help him do just that. Plus, he has a host of family
and friends, (as well as fans) pulling for him and that support and encouragement helps a lot too.

     At age seven, his father took him to witness his first professional fight, which Hernandez remembers vividly. “I loved the excitement and I was hooked,” he said. Not only that, but his father had been a boxer at one time, which also had a hand at peaking his interest.

    
At age 10, Hernandez moved with his family to Round Lake Illinois,from Ciudad Juarez Mexico.  In 1995, as his first job, he became employed at Shirl’s, a local fast food restaurant inWaukegan, owned by Larry Christian, who also happened to manage a local community-boxing club, North Shore Boxing, in Waukegan. 


     Christian takes a special interest in helping all kids out that are interested in boxing, giving them jobs and encouragement to do well and keep away from harmful lifestyles.

     Hernandez worked in the kitchen there, cooking during those same years he was training for boxing. Christian had seen him fight and recognizing a bright talent, took him under his wing by becoming his manager, though it could be said that he somewhat shares that role with Hernandez’s father, whose main interest too, is to help guide Jose into the right decisions and directions. Together the three of them are an impressive team, all fast friends, working amiably together for one goal: the success of a major boxing talent in Jose Andres Hernandez. In the meantime, the friendship the threesome has forged is also an unbeatable combination.

     Hernandez, who is promoted by Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions, was guided through a highly successful string of amateur fights, which, in 1997, allowed him to compete for the national amateur title. For five days in a row, competitors are narrowed down, which culminates in the best in the nation emerging. This feat and honor was won by Hernandez, which turned him professional.

    
Now that this 126-pound of solid muscle featherweight was declared the best in the U.S., he started fighting in the Waukegan Fiesta Palace. He turned pro with an amateur record of 40 wins 3 losses.  At a professional level his record is now 23 wins and 3 losses with 14 knockouts, which ranked him 15th in the world.

    
Hernandez, who owns Copas Bar in Round Lake, spends two to three hours a day training when it’s time to train, which begins between two and three months before a fight. Time in-between is to let the body rest.  Training includes running between three and five miles a day, doing sit-ups, abs workouts and lifting weights for tone. But a big part of training too, is studying opponents, familiarizing one’s self on what to expect and how to handle their different punches and techniques, being ready for all situations.


However, despite Hernandez’s such precise care, preparation and training, in December of 2006, he was still considered the underdog without having fought against such well-established fighters as the undefeated Jason Litzau. This fight was televised on HBO Boxing After Dark, in Miami. To onlookers during the fight, it looked like Hernandez was losing. However, unbeknownst to the boxing fans and even to Litzau, Hernandez and his current trainer, Sam Colona, knew exactly what he was doing as he was gauging the power in Litzau’s punches and tailoring his own punches accordingly, knocking his opponent out with an unexpected overhand right in the eighth round. This was a surprise to the world of boxing fans that this comparatively unlikely fighter would rise to defeat the more experienced and favored Jason Litzau!

     Now on May 5, the drama is escalated
a bit more when acclaimed featherweight Ricardo “Rocky” Juarez, also well-known and favored in the boxing world, will compete with Hernandez when their fight precedes the HBO pay-per-view main event bout between The Golden Boy: Oscar De La Hoya and Pretty Boy Floyd Mayweather at the Las Vegas MGM Grand Garden Arena.

     Both fights will be widely watched and anticipated by boxing fans the world over, possibly deemed the biggest boxing event of the year. And yet another time, Jose Andres Hernandez, despite his astounding record, approaches his tough and widely acclaimed opponent in the unexpected Rocky Juarez, as the underdog. However, Hernandez feels he is completely ready for the challenge. He has more than proven himself as he has moved up through the ranks in fights that some may feel haven’tbrought quite as much attention, therefore, the dynamo of Jose Andres Hernandez may come as a surprise to those unfamiliar with his capabilities. This is why it is bound to be a fight that will rock the boxing world and is greatly anticipated by those who have been following both boxers.

     This is a great time in the life of Jose Andres Hernadez, who is single and able to travel to follow his dreams. But he has other ambitions too. He would like one day to be an attorney, working to help people and perhaps defend immigration rights. He even knows what University he will attend for this and feels everything will happen at the right time. But for now, he is defending his excellent record, with bright hopes to win the world title in the U.S.

     Hernandez Sr., co-manager of his son, is very thankful. “It’s been a long road. We feel very happy about our decisions and are very proud of how Jose executed his fight with Litzau. We had a plan and he stuck to it. It’s been a journey for the whole family but all the family and friends who stuck with him never doubted and have always been there in wins and losses. Every fight is very tough for Jose’s mother, but it’s a battle we all go into. The whole family is going to Vegas.”

     Oscar De La Hoya is a fighter and promoter, and he chose
Jose to fight this fight, knowing he wouldn’t disappoint his fans, and he’d give a good fight. For this opportunity, Jose Andres Hernandez is very grateful.

     Jose Andres Hernandez has heart. It shows in everything he does and he always knows just where he’s going and how he’s going to get there. He’s got a plan A, B and C. He’s got ambition, determination, perseverance, might and good guidance. Then he gets in there and gets things done. He’s ready for any challenge and definitely ready to rock the boxing world again by defeating the favorite, Rocky Juarez, who holds his own impressive record of 26-3.

Jose prepares him self for 25 rounds of intense training in the Ring with his long time Trainer, Sam Colona.	Jose Hernandez Sr., an experienced fighter, monitors his sons every move from wrapping of the hands to actual training.
After the exhausting 25 rounds in the ring, Jose moves on to the Punching Bag, to work on his Power Punches and Defense.	Larry Christian not only manages Jose Andre Hernandez, but also is involved in his training by checking his accuracy, while pushing and motivating Jose.
A long time journey for this team of three, to make it to the top of the Boxing World.	Jose finishes his Training at the Jabbs Gym in Chicago, by a multiple sections on the Speed Bag.
Long time friends and partners on their way to Las Vegas for a journey of a lifetime