Payasito Hernanez-Antonio Tostado Discussed For 5/24

By Jake Donovan

A pair of upset winners during the 2014 spring season of Boxeo Telemundo are on the verge of reaping the benefits – only it will come against each other.

Alejandro ‘Payasito’ Hernandez and Antonio Tostado are in talks for a May 24 showdown in Mexico City, following the biggest wins of their respective careers. Hernandez scored one of the biggest upsets of the year to date with a 5th round knockout of top bantamweight contender Marvin Mabait on March 28, one week after Tostado edged out slightly favored Jonathan Vidal in Tampa.

The matchup between Mexican spoilers, if made, would come with two regional titles at stake. It wouldn’t air on Telemundo, which is scheduled to return to the airwaves in June for its summer season. However, its primary content provider is working feverishly to get the fight made.

“This is a great match up between two WBO regional champions unifying their belts” said Felix ‘Tuto’ Zabala, president of All-Star Boxing who promotes both fighters. “We are working on final details to formally make an announcement.”

Hernandez’ win was the far more shocking result of the two. Mabait was being groomed for a shot at a bantamweight title, but ran into a buzz saw on the road in Mexico. Hernandez (27-10-2, 15KO) has now won two straight after dropping three of his previous four contests.

Tostado (13-1, 6KO) is also riding a two-fight win streak following the lone loss of his career, a 10-round decision in favor of David Carmona last September. Carmona went on to challenge for the super flyweight title, suffering a 7th round knockout at the hands of long-reigning titlist Omar Narvaez.

Should the fight get made, the winner will be in prime position for an eventual title shot of his own.

Both fighters are now ranked among the Top 10 in the World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight rankings. Its recognized champion, Tomoki Kameda is set to face mandatory challenger Pungluang Sor Singyu next month in Mexico. With the right movement, the winner of the proposed May 24 matchup could move up as high as #2 in the rankings and land in line for an elimination bout.

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of Boxingscene.com, as well as a member of Transnational Boxing Ratings Board and the Boxing Writers Association of America. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox