Sebastian Juarez, who fights Louis Hernandez on Friday at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida, reckons the middleweight division is up for grabs.
The 8-0 (6 KOs) Juarez is trained by Bob Santos and spent his training camp in Las Vegas. He aims to make some noise in the division, starting with this weekend's tussle with Hernandez, 12-3-1 (10 KOs).
“The middleweight division is there to be taken over,” Juarez, 20, told BoxingScene. “There are some big names at the top like Erislandy Lara, who is the most obvious [for me to aim at].
“This is the perfect moment for a fighter like me to make noise,” Juarez said. “There’s plenty of room for new blood to take over, and I plan to be one of them.”
Juarez described his camp as “all business,” also explaining some of the differences in training in Las Vegas.
“The air is thinner,” Juarez said. “You get tired faster.”
Hernandez, a 30-year-old from Forest, Mississippi, is on a two-fight knockout streak. Juarez assessed his opponent’s talent.
“His punching power is good, and he’s got more experience than me, but I believe I’m the better fighter,” Juarez said. “We are going to go toe-to-toe and see who the last man standing is. I can’t wait.”
Juarez of Brownsville, Texas, also spoke to what makes fighters from his region different, crediting his hometown in crafting elements of his fighting style.
“Brownsville fighters are built on grit, pride, and heart. It’s a rough area, being on the border of Mexico. We don’t have the flashiest gyms or the biggest facilities, but we’ve got an edge that can’t be taught.”
Juarez looks to put that on full display.
“That mentality follows us into the ring,” Juarez said. “When I step through those ropes, I’m carrying my city with me, and we’re here to show the world exactly what Brownsville boxing is all about.”
