I had the opportunity to talk to Angel “Toro” Hernandez (30-10, 17 KO’s) before his main event fight on ESPN Friday Night Fights against Demetrius Andrade (15-0, 10 KO’s). Hernandez was offered this fight on two day notice, only giving him Thursday to really prepare for this fight.
Hernandez is a hard-nosed, all action veteran junior middle and middleweight contender looking to bounce back from three consecutive losses.
Here is our conversation with Angel Hernandez the day before his fight on ESPN Friday Night Fights.
Frank Rivera: Angel, thank you for taking some time to talk with us today.
AH: No problem
FR: How are you doing today?
AH: I’m good
FR: How was your trip to Connecticut?
AH: It was a long boring six-hour trip from Reading, PA, but it was a good you know, lol.
FR: It has been 11 months since your last fight, what have you been doing to keep yourself busy and ready?
AH: I am always in the gym training. I meet up with my new trainer that I am working with right now, John Schaeffer. I came Pennsylvania to train with him and he has been really good. The way he trains people is really excellent and he got me in really good shape and keeps my fat ass at weight and I am at weight 3 weeks before the fight and that was something I never do. Right now I don’t have to do nothing to make weight, I just have to show up and make weight. I am surprised in myself that its two weeks before the fight and I feel good.
FR: What are your expectation for 2012?
AH: To have good and exciting fights and show what I really have, because people have not seen what I can do, they have only seen 60% of what I can do, I want to show them what I can really do.
FR: How would you best describe your style of fighting in the ring?
AH: The way I fight is really aggressive, active and throw many punches in the ring.
FR: When you were growing up, who did you look up too and try to emulate your style of fighting?
AH: In all honesty no one, just in myself.
FR: You are coming off three consecutive losses, what have you taken away from those last three fight?
AH: I have to prove to myself that I am still alive in this sport, that I can still do something really big and that is the point I want to prove to myself, that I can still compete in this sport for a long time by doing the right thing.
FR: What was your reaction when you learned you were going to fight Demetrius Andrade this Friday night?
AH: I was happy, I have a chance to prove to myself and see what I am still capable of.
FR: How do you mentally prepare yourself for this fight on such a short notice?
AH: Mentally I have been preparing for a long time now not only for this fight but for any fight, I am really sure in myself, I’m so confident in myself and I don’t need to be prepare specifically for somebody, I believe in myself.
FR: You have fought fighters such as Winky Wright, Vanes Martirosyan and Peter Manfredo Jr., do you feel those experience will help give you an advantage over the young prospect Demetrius Andrade?
AH: No, no, to me my advantage will be my strength, because with Winky Wright it was a really good fight, I was not even 50% of my condition and I still gave him a good fight. Peter Manfredo Jr. and Antonio Garcia I wasn’t in terrific condition, I was not feeling like myself in those fights but I feel great now.
FR: Based on what you know of Andrade, how do you see this fight turning out?
AH: I am going to break him down, I am going to apply pressure and try to take him out.
FR: Angel, is their anything else you would like to add or say to your fans and supporters?
AH: I would like to thank all my fans and all those that have supported me in my career.
FR: Thank you again Angel for talking with me today. We wish you luck tomorrow night.
AH: Thank you