Boxing Weigh-in and quotes: Harutyunyan – Donaire – Harris – Hernandez
Donaire (114 pounds) Harris (132 1/2 pounds) Hernandez (132 1/4 pounds). Boxers (left-to-right) Tyrone Harris, Kahren Harutyunyan, Nonito Donaire and Israel Hernandez pose after Thursday’s weigh-in at Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, Calif. |
 © Tom Casino Showtime Boxing |
In an excellent doubleheader on “ShoBox: The New Generation†Friday on SHOWTIME (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast), Kahren Harutyunyan faces Nonito Donaire for the vacant NABF super flyweight championship and undefeated, hard-hitting Tyrone Harris meets once-beaten, power-punching Israel Hernandez in an eight-round junior lightweight bout.
KAHREN “ARMENIAN ESSENCE†HARUTYUNYAN (13-2-3, 0 KOs)
“I am familiar with Donaire and know he is a good, strong, smart fighter. But sparring and fighting are two different things. For once I have had time to prepare for an opponent. I am physically and mentally ready. Most of my fights, I have taken on very little notice. I have never had the luxury of picking my opponents. I have taken fights at higher weights just so I could fight. I have had lots of bad decisions. But I feel I have been matched tougher than Donaire and can do more things in the ring.
“People pay to see knockouts, but knocking out guys is not that important for me. As long as I win and give the fans their money’s worth, I am happy. This will be a great fight.’’
NONITO “FLASH’’ DONAIRE (13-1, 8 KOs)
“I have sparred a lot with this guy so I know him well. I expect him to box, but I am ready for anything he brings. He has never fought a guy like me, or with my style. He knows I have the power. If he makes a mistake, I will make him pay. Just because he does not have any knockouts does not mean he is not capable of one, so there is no way I do not respect him. To fight on SHOWTIME is beyond a dream. This is the kind of fight that will bring a lot of attention to 115-pound fighters in the United States.’’
TYRONE HARRIS (14-0, 12 KOs)
“I have really been working hard on my technique. I feel I am getting stronger, hitting harder and am now able to stretch my power into the later rounds. I do not know much about Hernandez, but I never know anything about who I fight. I do not take anyone for granted, however, and expect a good fight. This is a good step up for me. I look forward to fighting on SHOWTIME and show what I can do.
ISRAEL HERNANDEZ (11-1-1, 11 KOs)
“I know I have never fought a really big opponent, so for me this is like my big league debut. But I feel I have the power to step up against anybody. I am really looking forward to my first fight in America. This is truly the land of opportunity. I have fought and sparred a lot with southpaws so it will not be a problem.’’