Brimming with confidence with each punch thrown, Jorge Hernandez
is certain he’ll leave Long Beach this weekend with another state
title belt around his waist.
Brimming with confidence with each punch thrown, Jorge Hernandez is certain he’ll leave Long Beach this weekend with another state title belt around his waist.
And his trainer, Zeke Lopez of the Bull Dog Boxing Gym, sees no reason why he shouldn’t leave without one, either.
Hernandez will head to Southern California this weekend seeking his third Silver Gloves State Championship in as many tries after he took the title in Central California on Nov. 3 in Clovis.
“He’s fighting really good, really tough,” Lopez said. “This year is the best year he’s been training. He’s put 100 percent more in.”
Hernandez, 14, has already been to the state championships twice before, and qualified both times for the Silver Gloves National Championships in Kansas City, Mo. (Hernandez only made one trip to Missouri, however, due to a lack of funds).
With that being said, Hernandez is confident in that he’ll make it three in a row, and he’s fighting in a more appropriate weight class at 139 pounds.
“I remember when I was younger, I used to be heavier and I would fight bigger guys,” Hernandez said. “When I was 10, I was fighting at 175 (pounds), and the guys were taller than me.
“It’s not easier, but I just like it more (at 139). The guys are the same size.”
Hernandez weighed 142 pounds on Wednesday, but is determined to make the 139-pound weight class by Friday. If not, he could fight up at 147 pounds since there was no qualifying fighter of that weight from Central California.
“I’ve just been working out real hard and running,” said Hernandez on trying to keep his weight down.
Said the boxer with a smile, “That’s the hardest part for me.”
Lopez said there are currently two other qualifying fighters for 139 pounds at the state championships. There can be up to four in each weight, so if the current odd number holds, one lucky fighter will get a bye to the championship round while the other two will need to slug it out in the ring.
Lopez said that after registration on Friday, they’ll have a draw to decide on who fights and who sits. But even if Hernandez has to box his way to Sunday’s title round, Lopez has faith in the 14-year-old fighter.
“This should be a good warm-up for him,” Lopez said. “There’s no reason why he can’t make it to nationals.”
Lopez brought four of his boxers to the Central California Silvers Gloves Championships in early November, including Noe Lopez, and Matthew and Phillip Bribiescas.
But only the 139-pounder advanced after qualifying to the championship round and defeating his opponent from the Via Con Dios Boxing Gym in Tulare.
And Hernandez has been training for this weekend by sparring with Tony Corrales, a 16-year-old fighter from Bull Dog who has more than 30 wins to his name.
“And that’s why I think he’ll be very tough at Silver Gloves,” Lopez said. “He’s a tough kid and I don’t see anyone right now who can beat him at his weight class.”
