By Ryan Burton
Super lightweight contender Mauricio Herrera had a tough 2015, going 1-2 for the year. He defeated Johan Perez by majority decision to win the interim WBA super lightweight title but also lost disputed decisions to Danny Garcia and Jose Benavides sandwiched around that victory.
Many people thought that Herrera did more than enough to have also won those two fights and you can count Golden Boy stakeholder Bernard Hopkins among those who feel Herrera should have had a perfect 3-0 2014 campaign.
"Listen, Garcia, he's from Philly too but he got to hear that a lot. Philly is one of those towns, man - where you can be from Philly and they will tell you, 'I don't think you won that fight man but I'm glad you got it," Bernard Hopkins stated.
"I'm in Philly right now as we speak - right now and they still aren't talking about it like it just happened - but they still bring it up and they mention it and they really hold that as a loss even though Danny Garcia is undefeated.
"Herrera has nothing to be ashamed of but when you think you won and you earned it you should get it. I ain't going to say that's boxing. That's just how things go."
The 50-year-old Hopkins feels that because Herrera hasn't had a lot of luck on the scorecards, he may change up his style and take the decision out of the judge's hands when he faces Hank Lundy on July 11th in a bout televised on HBO Latino.
Even though Herrera isn't known as a heavy hitter, Hopkins believes those questionable losses may be in the back of his mind and lead him to change up his style and take a few more risks in the ring.
"I don't think he is comfortable with the judges. He didn't say it but if I was him I would try to go for a knockout or get knocked out. Not purposely to get knocked out but just going for it sometimes you leave yourself open because he's gotta be thinking from a fighter's perspective, 'I'm this close. Do I win this fight or do I get robbed again for the third time in a row. You understand what I'm saying?"
"Not purposely but he might just run into a fire because Hank is no mosquito bite puncher either. Hank has got a little wack on him. He ain't a big puncher but I've seen Hank put a lot of people down whether it's in training or in fights. He's got some early knockdowns so it's possible."
"Hey listen when you are coming for somebody and you come in at it and are facing those circumstances that Herrera really hasn't faced - hey I wouldn't be surprised if he goes down and hopefully gets back up and tries to end it early because I don't think he trusts the judges," Hopkins told BoxingScene.com.
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