Andrade, Hernandez Make Weight For Tonight’s ShoBox

ByBoxing Press

2008 U.S. Olympian Demetrius Andrade (18-0, 13 KOs), of Providence, R.I., puts his unbeaten record on the line against former world title challenger Freddy “El Riel” Hernandez (30-3, 20 KOs), of Lynwood, Calif., in the 10-round junior middleweight main event on ShoBox: The New Generation doubleheader tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 25, live on Showtime at 10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast, from The Paramount in Huntington, New York.

Junior welterweights Raymond “Tito” Serrano (18-1, 8 KOs), of Philadelphia , meets Emmanuel “Tranzforma” Taylor (15-1, 10 KOs), of Edgewood , Md. , in the 10-round co-feature. The doubleheader is promoted by Star Boxing and Banner Promotions.

Andrade and Hernandez participated in a public workout Thursday at Modell’s Sporting Goods
in Times Square before joining the other fighters for the weigh-in at the New York State Athletic Commission Office in Lower Manhattan.

Weights: Andrade tipped the scale at 154.2 pounds, Hernandez, 154. Serrano weighed 141.6 pounds, Taylor 140.6.

What the ShoBox fighters said Thursday:

Demetrius Andrade:

“It is important to win and of course people want to see a good performance. I haven’t done anything differently for this fight but I know he’s a good fighter and I’m ready.

“Now that I’m working with (new trainer) Virgil (Hunter) there’s a little more structure going on and just having all the right resources. Fighting on a premium television channel like Showtime is a step up. I know my family will be coming and watching.”

Freddy Hernandez:

“I have experience but he’s young and I know that I’m the test and that I won’t be an easy test for him. I think a key is for me to fight him on the inside because he’s taller. I know that he likes to fight from a distance.

“I’ve been training well like always but this time we’ve been working a lot more on movement so I think that will be good. I am fighting for my wife (Alma Grajales) today because it’s her birthday. And of course I’m fighting for my biggest motivation, my son (Freddy III).”

Raymond Serrano:

“This is a must-win in my career right now to be considered a contender. I know I want it to be impressive since I’m on Showtime and it’s a big stage. I’m excited to be back. I miss the ring.

“It’s been a blessing for me to get the opportunity to be able to work with Barry Hunter. It’s just great training with him; they have a great team.

“I made a mistake in my last fight and I paid for it. I worked hard at those mistakes and believe in myself. Basically I’m still working and training hard and I’m still the same fighter.‘’

Emmanuel Taylor:

“This fight means a lot to me. I’ve been working hard in the gym. I’m excited, anxious and nervous but I’m ready to show the world what I’ve got so I can keep going forward.

“This fight is going to be really rough. I’m going to make it rough for him. The key is to use my jab at times and my overhead right.”

Tickets, priced at $50, $100 and $150, are available through Ticketmaster online www.Ticketmaster.com
or phone (800) 745-3000, through The Paramount Box Office (631) 673-7300, the Star Boxing Office (718) 823-2000 or on their website, www.StarBoxing.com. Doors on fight night will open at 7 p.m. ET with the first bell at 8 p.m.

Barry Tompkins will call the ShoBox action from ringside with Steve Farhood and former World Champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.