Redwood City boxer make debut
By Osvaldo Castillo
El Observador

Juan Hernandez came to the United States when he was 15 years old without knowing a word of English. He was a chubby kid who found it difficult to adjust to life in the United States. That was until he discovered boxing.
“I have been training Juan for the past six years, but he has been training for the past nine years. He is 24 now and  is ready to make the transition from amateur to professional,” said Rick Nava, a volunteer boxing coach at the Redwood City Police Athletic League “This sport takes a tremendous amount of discipline and hard work to get to this point.”
Hernandez is 5’9' and fights as a cruiserweight at 194-197 pounds.
“As an amateur, he has always fought people that were much bigger than him,” Nava said. “Naturally he tends to go inside for body shots against his much bigger opponents. He trains by practicing with much taller individuals and by watching his opponents on YouTube.”
The reason Hernandez is turning professional is because he has had great success as an amateur.
“He was winning a lot in the first round by knockout, so it only made sense that he turn pro,” Nava said.
Nava says he has great expectations for Hernandez and believes he will make an impact in the boxing world.
“Everyone around him believes he will do well because he has great skills,” Nava said. “He has great speed and a lot of power.”
Juan is making his debut on Aug 14 at the San Mateo Event Center (Fight Night on the Way to the Playboy Mansion, Sat. August 14, 2010).
Hernandez, Nava and some close friends put up $1,000 to make this event happen. They will receive 20 percent from the tickets they sell and will use the money to pay for expenses and to possibly set up Hernandez’s next fight.
If you would like to help Hernandez and Nava, purchase your tickets online at the San Mateo Event Center’s website http://www.sanmateoexpo.org/ and enter promo code RWCPAL.