Star Boxing president Joe DeGuardia has announced that former world title challenger Angel “Toro” Hernandez (30-10, 17 KOs) has replaced an ill Derek Ennis for Friday’s night’s main event against 2008US Olympian Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade (15-0, 10 KOs) on ESPN Friday Night Fights at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

The headliner is a 10-round battle for the vacant North American Boxing Organization (“NABO”) junior middleweight title. Ennis was forced to withdraw due to the flu.

“We’re very fortunate to find a solid veteran like Angel Hernandez as a late replacement,” DeGuardia said. “He’s been in with some of the best and beaten the likes of Juan Carlos Candelo, Frankie Randall, James McGirt, Larry Marks, and Antwun Echols. We expect him to be a solid test for Demetrius.”

Hernandez, fighting out of Chicago, is a typically tough Mexican fighter who has been stopped only twice in 40 professional fights. In 2004, he lost a 12-round decision to Winky Wright in their IBF light middleweight title fight. A former NABF, IBA Americas and NABA champion, Angel lost a disputed 12-round split decision to former world champion Kassim Ouma for the vacant USBA championship.

Former World amateur champion Andrade – WBO #9, WBC & IBF #13 and WBA #15 – fights out of nearby Providence.

Star Boxing’s undefeated junior welterweight prospect, WBA #15 Raymond “Tito” Serrano (17-0, 8 KOs), meets former New York State champion Kenny Abril (11-4-1, 6 KOs) in the 10-round co-feature.
A strong undercard features past and future champions and contenders, as well as some of the most promising prospects on the East Coast.

Former USBA & NABO light welterweight champion “Mighty” Mike Arnaoutis (22-7-2, 10 KOs) returns against popular veteran Shaka Moore (11-16-3, 2 KOs), in a six-round bout.

Star Boxing’s undefeated super featherweight prospect Emanuel Gonzalez (9-0, 7 KOs) plans to keep his perfect intact in a six-round bout dangerous Jesus Bayron (5-3-1, 4 KOs). East Hartford favorite Joseph “Chip” Perez (6-1, 2 KOs) faces Jamell Tyson (2-4-1, 1 KO) in another six rounder.

Also fighting on the undercard in separate four-round bouts is a pair of promising Connecticut boxers. Waterbury’s gifted junior welterweight Jair Ramos (1-0) fights Miguel Rodriguez (0-1), while New Haven super middleweight Charles Foster (1-0) tangles with Queens veteran Borngood Washington.

Tickets are $75.00, $40.00 and $30.00 (plus $5.00 facility fee for all tickets) and are on sale now through Ticketmaster. Ticketmaster customers may log on to ticketmaster.com; call Ticketmaster’s national toll free Charge By Phone number 1.800.745.3000; or visit any Ticketmaster outlet. Tickets are also available at the Mohegan Sun Box Office, subject to availability, or by calling Star Boxing at 1.718.823.2000 and online via www.StarBoxing.com.

For more information go online to www.starboxing.com or www.mohegansun.com.

ABOUT STAR BOXING: Star Boxing, Inc. has been in operation since 1992. Founded by Joe DeGuardia, its President and CEO, Star Boxing has worked to produce some of the most exciting and memorable boxing events in recent history. Star has continued to work with and develop a number of very exciting world champions, world-rated contenders and young prospects. Star has consistently brought credibility, integrity, and exciting fights to the boxing industry. For more information on Star Boxing, visit the official website at
www.starboxing.com.

ESPN’s Friday Night Fights: Studio Show On Site For First Time in 2012
BWAA Names ESPN’s Rodriguez-Wolak Fight of the Year—Live Interview with Rodriguez

For the first time this year, ESPN’s Friday Night Fights’ studio show will originate on site with studio host Bernardo Osuna presenting all the latest boxing news and highlights from the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Conn. February 10 at 9 p.m. ET live on ESPN2 HD, and ESPN3. Friday’s 10-round main event will feature undefeated Junior Middleweight knockout artist Demetrius Andrade (15-0,10 KOs) meeting Angel Hernandez. The card is presented by Star Boxing.

“I love being in the amazing Friday Night Fight’s studio, but there’s nothing better than watching the fights live and to enjoy the energy of the fans,” Osuna said. “I’m looking forward to taking the show on the road, visiting Mohegan Sun and interacting with the fans on site. The banter with Teddy promises to be better with him by my side instead of thousands of miles away.”

ESPN’s Rodriguez-Wolak Named BWAA Fight of the Year:
Friday’s show on ESPN2 and ESPN3 will include a special segment, a live interview with world-ranked Junior Middleweight and ESPN Deportes boxing analyst Delvin Rodriguez. Rodriguez’s July 2011 fight against Pawel Wolak on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights was recently named the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) Fight of the Year. (See the entire bout by clicking the WatchESPN player.) Afterward, Rodriguez told ESPNFrontRow.com all about it.

ESPN2, ESPN Deportes & ESPN3:
On ESPN2 and ESPN3, Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas will describe the action. On ESPN Deportes’ Viernes de Combates (Friday Night Fights) Pablo Viruega and Delvin Rodriguez will be ringside calling the fights with Leopoldo Gonzalez and Lindsay Casinelli in the studio. Rodriguez and Viruega will be joined by Marco Antonio Rubio following his loss last weekend to Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

Main Event:
Andrade, a 2008 U.S. Olympian from Providence R.I., is coming off a third–round TKO over Saul Duran. Previously, Andrade scored his career-best win when he defeated the 2006 winner of The Contender, Grady Brewer, in a 10-round unanimous decision on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights.
Follow ESPN’s Friday Night Fights on Twitter @ESPNFNF or like on Facebook.
— 30 –

Leave a Comment