HERNANDEZ CAPTURES WBC US MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE

HERNANDEZ CAPTURES WBC U.S. MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE
Results from Fight Night at the U
By: Laz Izada

CORAL GABBLES, FLORIDA (InsideBoxing.com, February 10, 2006) - Promoters Big Star Productions held their first card of the year this Friday night at the BankUnited Center on the University of Miami campus. An estimated 2,000 boxing fans knew they were in for a special night of boxing once ring announcer Jimmy Lennon took the microphone. Big Star, along with the BankUnited Center presented a show with distinguished quality, professionalism, and excitement.

Seven thrilling bouts took place at the U of M. The main event featured “Macho” Miguel Hernandez (19-3, 9 KO’s) from Chicago against Ryan “Dangerous” Davis (19-5-2, 8 KO’s) from St. Louis for the new WBC United States Middleweight Championship. Hernandez, who had a brief amateur career, looked impressive over Davis who has had over 200 amateur bouts. Hernandez is a straight forward boxer with a reputation of putting on a good show, felt comfortable in the small ring. It was his 1st main event, and he didn’t disappoint. He won by majority decision, 97-92, 97-92, and 95-95. In the 6th round a point was deducted from him and he turned it on by landing 3 quick effective jabs, and finishing strong in the last 4 rounds of the 10 round main event. Hernandez felt like it was a “dream come true winning the belt, and that it felt beautiful doing it in Miami”. Trainer, Sam Colonna, who has been with Hernandez since the beginning over 5 years ago, credited the win to “a team effort” and that Miguel had trained very hard in the gym for this bout. Colonna also stated that “he admires Miguel as a person for being a good father and family man and dedicating himself to training the way he does”. On hand for the victory were over 20 of Hernandez’s close relatives from Chicago and throughout Florida. Hernandez was looking forward to celebrating the victory with his brother Robert. Hernandez hasn’t seen his brother in a long time and will be celebrating Robert’s birthday with him on Saturday. Hernandez, who once weighed 225 pounds long ago, weighed in for the fight at 155 pounds and wanted to encourage people to “never give up on their dreams“.

The co-main event featured the premier of Light Heavyweight contender Danny “the Bronx Bomber” Santiago (27-2-1, 18 KO’s) from Ocala, FL alongside his new trainer, Patrick Burns, against former cruiserweight, making his debut as Light Heavyweight, Rayco “War” Saunders (15-7-2, 7 KO’s) from Pittsburgh. The 6 round bout, originally scheduled for 8 rounds, was ruled a majority draw 57-57, 57-57, and 58-56. Both fighters slugged it out and stayed on top of each other throughout the bout. Even though Santiago had his right thumb badly swollen from the 2nd round on, he looked impressive by landing strong, solid upper cuts throughout the match. Burns, his trainer, stated that he “could have used his jab more, and that Danny displayed a terrific uppercut and hasn’t fought in a long time,” He should be back for another match up in a few months. Santiago felt that he had come on stronger the last few rounds, and that he should have gotten the victory and he commended Saunders, the underdog, for “putting up a good fight”. Saunders wanted to thank Antonio Tarver, who he had sparred with before for helping him make the switch to Light Heavyweight where he now feels more comfortable at.

On the undercard, Super Middleweight Alfred “AK-47” Kinsey (6-2-1, 3 KO’s) from Atlantic City upset Aneudi Santos (12-4, 9 KO’s) from New York. Kinsey, who pressed on for all 8 rounds, knocked Santos down in the 2nd round and cruised on to a unanimous decision victory of 78-73 by all 3 judges. It was the first time he went 8 rounds and “wanted to thank God for letting him do what he does and that everybody came out safe”. His “motivation and inspiration for boxing comes from former IBF Lightweight Champion Leavander Johnson“, who passed away last year. He said that Leavander was like a brother to him. Kinsey plans to fight again in 6 to 8 weeks.

In the only women’s bout of the evening, local Miami favorite Stacy Reile (2-0, 2 KO’s) knocked out Yessenia De Jesus (0-1) from Ocala at 37 seconds of the 1st round, with a roundhouse left to the jaw. Yessenia was making her pro debut tonight, but was down and out before the fight really got started.

Jorge Delmau of Big Star, along with others, considered the event to be a “huge success.” Big Star is looking forward to present another card in April at a site to be determined, somewhere in the United States, possibly in Miami again. Keep up with Big Star events at www.BigStar.tv. Tonight’s card will also be broadcast on Comcast CSS on Saturday, February 18th at 8pm.