Demetrius Andrade faces Angel Hernandez tonight in Connecticut, with a lot of uncertainty surrounding the Friday Night Fights main event. (Photo by Ed Diller/Star Boxing)
Friday Night Fights is live tonight at 9 p.m. EST on ESPN2 and ESPN3, with a main event that has aroused a lot of suspicion.
In that 10-round junior middleweight fight, former Olympian Demetrius "Boo Boo" Andrade will face 36-year-old Angel Hernandez of Chicago. Andrade (15-0, 10 KO) is considered a blue chip prospect, while Hernandez (30-10, 17 KO) is just a veteran club scrapper, and in some ways a good opponent considering he came in as the third guy scheduled for the fight on two days' notice. The original opponent was Derek Ennis, who bailed due to illness, and he was replaced by Terrance Cauthen, who then canceled to take a fight next Friday on ShoBox against Thomas Dulorme, which eventually went to Aris Ambriz instead.
As we noted in the weigh-in report yesterday, Hernandez's former promoters at Boxing 360 claim that he's in no condition to fight, that he slurs his speech, and he shouldn't be in the ring.
Gabriel Montoya of MaxBoxing put together a very in-depth report on this today, which I recommend reading before the fight (you've got time). There is far more than just an uneasy air about tonight's main event -- it's downright uncomfortable.
The co-feature will see Raymond "Tito" Serrano (17-0, 8 KO) face Kenny Abril (11-4-1, 6 KO) in a fight between junior welterweight and welterweight. Abril was a bit heavy at yesterday's weigh-in. To be perfectly frank, this is not a good Friday Night Fights show on paper, and I wouldn't blame anyone for skipping tonight's show.
0 recs | 87 comments
Gabriel Montoya has this as of about 8:09 pm EST:
Scott Christ - February 10, 2012
and more
This is a real mess.
Scott Christ - February 10, 2012
ESPN, “Hey if someone dies, its not OUR fault. I mean we only knew about the health concerns heading into the fight, so what?”
Manuwar - February 10, 2012
I’m not saying Hernandez is fit for fighting, how would I know one way or the other? But it is a little curious that Dr. Yagobi was quick to name Andrade’s credentials and rankings. Why would this concern him or even be to his knowledge? If Hernandez isn’t fit to fight then okay that’s fine but when a Doctor starts sounding like a promoter you have to question if he has an agenda or not.
Manuwar - February 10, 2012
Could be argued he’s simply further pointing out that this fight is a sham.
Keep in mind that Boxing 360 has booked Antwun Echols, who has been a disaster in the making for years, on multiple cards.
This whole thing is gross. Rarely does this sort of thing get thrown into the spotlight this way — but it’s not that uncommon, sadly.
Scott Christ - February 10, 2012
Right. I wouldn’t doubt that Hernandez is unfit to fight. But I can’t believe that the Doctors concern is actually his health. That is sad to say but it stinks like ego’s and pocketbooks being hurt rather than wanting to protect a guy.
Manuwar - February 10, 2012
yes
BoxAnne - February 10, 2012
A lot of fighters that aren’t fit to fight, do so, which is uncool, but this guy doesn’t sound any worse than the rest of them. Mosley shouldn’t fight, Roy shouldn’t fight, probably both of them worse. So my doubts are as much about Boxing 360’s Yagobi as they are about Hernandez. It’s a mismatch, what’s new?
BoxAnne - February 10, 2012
I’m turned off by Yagobi’s threat of a suit. That says contract/money issues to me, not health concerns.
BoxAnne - February 10, 2012
That Montoya article is a bit of a slog. Good reporting, but man does he need an editor.
davecwright - February 10, 2012
I think he had to write it pretty fast. It’s got misses all over it, but I think he just didn’t have time.
BoxAnne - February 10, 2012
High school basketball is blocking Friday Night Fights currently.
Scott Christ - February 10, 2012
At least it’s live. Got bumped for old tennis tapes once.
BoxAnne - February 10, 2012
Curious to see how/if FNF crew discusses the ongoing events.
Bonkers - February 10, 2012
Atlas has never been shy about calling out Andrade’s opponents. Tonight seems tailor made.
Scott Christ - February 10, 2012
Goodbye, Linsanity. Hello, FNFs!
Im_a_fun_haver - February 10, 2012
Atlas: “I’ll tell you right now, if we’re going to call Andrade a real prospect, he needs to knock out Hernandez.”
Scott Christ - February 10, 2012
Apparently they aren’t going to mention any of the controversy.
Scott Christ - February 10, 2012
With lawsuits promised, theyed be crazy to, because it could engangle them in court if it goes that far.
BoxAnne - February 10, 2012
Drexel Spivey!
Im_a_fun_haver - February 10, 2012
Serrano vs Abril Round 1
Serrano targeting the body. Having seen Serrano a couple times I can say he’s not high on my list of top prospects. Abril throwing, missing, tying up. Complaining of head usage from Serrano, I think. Left to body from Serrano. Right hand lead is blocked. Not a lot in the first round, but Serrano was looking to fight a lot more.
Serrano 10-9
Scott Christ - February 10, 2012
R1 Serrano
Serrano 10-9
Abril can only throw one punch at a time, apparently.
Bonkers - February 10, 2012
R2 Serrano
Serrano 20-18
Bonkers - February 10, 2012
Serrano vs Abril Round 2
Serrano with a couple body shots, warned for hitting to the back there. Abril turned into that. Abril wants contact about as much as I do, it appears. This is an oddly-paced fight — it’s not that they aren’t letting their hands go, but it’s all in little chunks that seem in no way connected to the last or next chunks. Abril did seem to wake up a bit more this round, I guess.
Serrano 10-9
Serrano 20-18
Scott Christ - February 10, 2012
Serrano vs Abril Round 3
Serrano with a couple right hands, pushes Abril back a bit. Abril really not responding well to even mild pressure. Abril takes a good right to the gut, then a left hook and SERRANO WIDE OPEN AND DOWN HE GOES ON A LITTLE COUNTER SHOT! Boy. That came from nowhere. Don’t know if Tito was hurt at all there, just totally off balance.Tito pushing back with a right to the body. Now Serrano getting a little rough.
Abril 10-9
Serrano 29-28
Scott Christ - February 10, 2012
Why does Abril keep turning his back?
BoxAnne - February 10, 2012
He seems to want no part of the fight at all.
gzl5000 - February 10, 2012
R3 Abril 10-8
28-28 All
I want to see how that kd again
Bonkers - February 10, 2012
Still a weird looking KD
Bonkers - February 10, 2012
Serrano vs Abril Round 4
Serrano back to making the fight go, as much as it’s going. Abril constantly turning his back. Lead right from Serrano.
Serrano 10-9
Serrano 39-37
Scott Christ - February 10, 2012
R4 Serrano
38-37 Serrano
Bonkers - February 10, 2012
Serrano vs Abril Round 5
uuuugh. boy. Not my kinda fight. Serrano doing little, Abril doing even less. Now Serrano shoves Abril down. Whatever.
Serrano 10-9
Serrano 49-46
Scott Christ - February 10, 2012
Apparently, they will be discussing the issue.
R5 Serrano
48-46
Serrano is really raw. Starting to get a little testy with pushing.
Bonkers - February 10, 2012
Serrano vs Abril Round 6
Fight picks up a bit in the last minute with Abril actually throwing some punches. This fight feels like it should be better than it is.
Serrano 10-9
Serrano 59-55
Scott Christ - February 10, 2012
Serrano vs Abril Round 7
Abril still constantly turning back. Action of 6th doesn’t hold.
Serrano 10-9
Serrano 69-64
Scott Christ - February 10, 2012
Teddy Atlas repeating himself
maybe he just has a script for every round and accidentally read off of the 7th for a sec there
davecwright - February 10, 2012
not a lot you can say about this fight without repeating yourself, really.
BoxAnne - February 10, 2012
“Teddy Talk.”
Well, it’s something, I guess.
Bonkers - February 10, 2012
A Teddy to English dictionary would be pretty awesome.
Waldo Rastel - February 10, 2012
Serrano vs Abril Round 8
Ryan Bivins believes Serrano may have something wrong, “not 100%.” As good as any reason to me, because he’s really more underwhelming than ever.
Serrano 10-9
Serrano 79-73
Scott Christ - February 10, 2012
“Abril is not trying to win this fight
as hard as he needs to.”Fixed that for ya, Teddy.
Bonkers - February 10, 2012
Serrano vs Abril Round 9
Abril has mentally checked out.
Serrano 10-9
Serrano 89-82
Scott Christ - February 10, 2012
So have I.
BoxAnne - February 10, 2012
In the words of many a Philadelphian:
BOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
Bonkers - February 10, 2012
Serrano vs Abril Round 10
serrano 99-91
Scott Christ - February 10, 2012
97-92, 97-92, 95-94 for Serrano
Scott Christ - February 10, 2012
This Just for Men ad is especially repellent, seems to me.
BoxAnne - February 10, 2012
Let’s see if Bernard Osuna is better without a different teleprompter. He was horrific last week.
Bonkers - February 10, 2012
Canelo-Mosley is done deal
Scott Christ - February 10, 2012
ugh
davecwright - February 10, 2012
If Canelo wins, is this the end of Mosely?
Bonkers - February 10, 2012
Mosley is already over. We are now moving past the end. Just writing the epilogue now
Waldo Rastel - February 10, 2012
Is Winky-Quillin official yet too? Maybe this PPV could be called Star Power 2004.
bachwards - February 10, 2012
I really wonder what made GBP choose Ryan Rhodes in the past.
ColtJouvet - February 10, 2012
Delvin Rodriguez sounds nothing like what I’d expect.
schraubd - February 10, 2012
Also — and I really don’t mean this as a criticism, b/c it’s not like it’s intentional or anything — but maybe Delvin Rodriguez shouldn’t say things like “you have to kill him to put him down” after the whole Oscar Diaz fight.
schraubd - February 10, 2012
Yeay! Fight Plan!
Bonkers - February 10, 2012
This one will be over quick.
Bonkers - February 10, 2012
And I say that, it lookks like Andrade may have tired out a little.
Bonkers - February 10, 2012
Hernandez did land a decent right hand toward the end.
Kory Kitchen - February 10, 2012
R1 Andrade 10-9
Good start to the fight.
Bonkers - February 10, 2012
Andrade vs Hernandez Round 1
Hernandez is a gritty guy. He’s fighting. And he’s throwing his hands. Left hand sends him back, then he fires back in. He’s crowding Andrade and really making him uncomfortable, but unfortunately I doubt he can hurt Andrade and Boo Boo is hitting him. Hernandez pushing Andrade a little. Could be worse for sure — knock on wood
Andrade 10-9
Scott Christ - February 10, 2012
Andrade 10-9. At least Hernandez is here to fight. And if this fight really does come down to Andrade’s maturity and composure (which I doubt it will) — well, let’s just say I don’t rank thsose as Andrade’s strong suits.
schraubd - February 10, 2012
tell him he's the best
Scott Christ - February 10, 2012
Saw the KD and I can’t watch anymore
Waldo Rastel - February 10, 2012
Andrade vs Hernandez Round 2
Hernandez down about a minute into round two. Oh god, HUGE left hand from Andrade and a body shot ends it after that. Hideous.
Andrade TKO-2
Scott Christ - February 10, 2012
I like that Smoger counts out in Spanish for the fighter, even if he doesn’t need.
Also, fight’s over. Andrade KOs Hernandez
Bonkers - February 10, 2012
That was an execution.
Bakuto - February 10, 2012
Excellent immediate stoppage by Smoger. Didn’t hesitate to get the docs in there, and the way Hernandez dropped did not look good to me.
schraubd - February 10, 2012
Great stoppage by Smoger.
Bonkers - February 10, 2012
Well. Both did their best, Anrade’s best was way better.
BoxAnne - February 10, 2012
celebration was a bit much
considering
davecwright - February 10, 2012
tell him he's the best
Scott Christ - February 10, 2012
I always like it when a fighter doesn’t celebrate if it looks like a guy could be seriously hurt.
Kory Kitchen - February 10, 2012
It seemed like Boo Boo was trying to go to the body more than the head, almost knowing that he could seriously hurt Hernandez
Waldo Rastel - February 10, 2012
I think you’re right, and good for Anrade.
BoxAnne - February 10, 2012
After the replay, I think Hernandez was out on his feet after the left hook to the head. The body shot just actually put him down.
Bonkers - February 10, 2012
he was falling over
Scott Christ - February 10, 2012
five more fights?
So we have to count to five before he steps into the ring with someone who has a chance against the guy? Tremendous.
Hope get gets up on his douchebag #2’s shoulders after each win.
davecwright - February 10, 2012
This is exactly why no one cares about the Olympics anymore
It’s been four fucking years since the last Olympiad, and here are the Top 5 wins of the US Class of 2008:
1.) 40 year old Grady Brewer
2.) Harold Sconiers
3.) 39 year old Saul Roman
4.) John Revish
5.) Angel Hernandez
Meanwhile some Japanese swingdick beats Kohei Kono in his 3rd fight.
I know, I know, Derek Ennis was the original opponent. This kid’s been boxing since he was 6, he’s just now ready for Glass Jaw Ennis? “Well, they need practice! They need seasoning!” Fantastic, so what were they doing all those years in amateur gyms? Sudoku?
Sorry, I know I’m overreacting, but it’s old. Stay off TV until you’re ready to stop wasting fans’ time.
parlagi - February 10, 2012
Tessitore laughed very hard at his own Chavez weight joke, there.
Kory Kitchen - February 10, 2012
So now, we get Jesus Bayron and Emmanuel Gonzalez.
Bonkers - February 10, 2012
Steve Smoger needs a facial
davecwright - February 10, 2012
He looks very red.
Kory Kitchen - February 10, 2012
Looks like he put on a fresh coat of Just For Men in his hair.
Im_a_fun_haver - February 10, 2012
Teddy saying he wants to train Valuev?
davecwright - February 10, 2012
Teddy on the Canelo/Mosley fight: “I’m not running to buy tickets.”
Bonkers - February 10, 2012
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