2016 Olympic bronze medalist Nico Hernandez had to overcome a major obstacle to remain undefeated at Hartman Arena in Palm City, Kansas. Opponent Kendrick “Uprising” Latchman outweighed regular flyweight Hernandez by more than 10 pounds when the two fighters entered the ring because Hernandez’ scheduled opponent, Basyzbek Baratov (2-1-2), abruptly pulled out of the fight after the weigh-in due to a contractual disagreement.
Hernandez weighed in at 113 pounds, Baratov was 112, which was the contracted weight. The Kansas Athletic Commission, however, automatically allows one-pound over for all non-title fights. Baratov refused to fight but Latchman agreed to fight at a 125-pound catchweight. Hernandez gained four pounds and the fight was on.
Wichita hero Hernandez was unmoved by the late change, largely due to his standout amateur career, in which his opponents often changed at the last moment. Latchman (1-5-1, 1 KO) is a pro boxer-MMA hybrid fighter who is 6-3 (5 KOs) in MMA, including a 55-second stoppage of 14-7-1 Cody Land this past July.
Latchman buzzed Hernandez in the first round, much to the chagrin of the Hernandez’ loud hometown crowd. The U.S. Olympian displayed a good chin and went on to win a six-round unanimous decision to improve his pro record to 3-0 (2 KOs).
“They (his corner and fans) were nervous,” the 21-year-old Hernandez said after the fight, “but I wasn’t. My coach (father Lewis Hernandez) told me to feint and go in, but I lunged a little too much. Hey, I’m staying in my division (flyweight) before moving up in weight.”
“Nico had to step up, fighting a new opponent on 24-hour notice, along with the difference in their weights,” promoter John Andersen commented. “Everything turned out okay but it wasn’t an easy fight. My palms were a little sweaty in the first round when he got hit hard, but Nico pulled out the win and he’ll be an even better fighter because of this experience. His father said Nico had never been hit like that before. It was a good card and the crowed was really into it.”
KO Night Boxing LLC announced that Hernandez would return December 2 to headline another show at Hartman Arena.
USBA No. 2- rated featherweight Tramaine “The Might Midget” Williams (13-0, 5 KOs), fighting out of New Haven (CT), cruised to his 13th victory without a defeat, taking a one-sided 10-round unanimous decision over Derrick Murray (13-3, 5 KOs), in the co-featured event.
Key West, FL welterweight Armando “The Gentleman: Alvarez (17-0, 11 KOs) remained undefeated, winning a 10-round unanimous decision against Hungarian champion Gabor “Squirrel” Gorbics (23-8, 14 KOs) in a competitive Special Welterweight Attraction. Alvarez is the WBC Latino welterweight title holder.
Undefeated Chinese heavyweight prospect Zhilei “Big Bang” Zhang (18-0, 14 KOs), the reigning WBO Oriental champion, needed only 2:28 to stop veteran Byron “The Bear” Polley (30-22-1, 13 KOs). Zhang, as well as Williams, are promoted by Roc Nation Sports.
In the most dramatic fight of the night, Los Angeles heavyweight Scott Alexander (13-2-2, 7 KOs) rebounded from being decked, as well as a pre-fight cut, to knockout 361-pound Richard “Silverback” Carmack (15-12-1, 12 KOs) in the second round. Alexander suffered a cut on his shin that resulted from a step breaking as he entered the ring.
Milwaukee junior middleweight Akeem Black (3-1, 1 KO) won three of four rounds on all three judges’ scorecards for a four-round unanimous decision over Marcus Neal (2-2, 2 KOs).
Wichita light heavyweight Jeff Strum pitched a shutout in his pro debut against Topeka’s (KS) previously unbeaten Chris Ortega (3-1-1), winning all four rounds in impressive fashion.