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Derek Bonnett: Like most prizefighters, Miguel Angel Huerta only asks for the opportunity to live out the dream of owning a world title. Five years ago, it would have been easy for anyone to tell him it just wasn’t going to happen. After back-to-back losses to Julio Diaz and Victoriano Sosa, which marked the fourth and fifth defeats of his four-year professional career, the words journeyman or steppingstone seemed the only viable titles he’d receive even with wins earlier in his career over Martin Honorio and Darling Jimenez.
However, Huerta, 26-8-1 (18), kept his focus on his dream and added wins over respectable opposition like Allan Vester and Rolando Reyes. Then opportunity knocked on his door.
“When I was presented with the fight with Kid Diamond, I felt that was a great opportunity for me. I knew coming in I would be the underdog, but I didn’t mind,” Huerta admits. “I had only two weeks notice for the fight, but I took it real serious and stepped up my game. I think mentally I’m a different fighter. I’m still trying to improve myself, but I feel I belong with the top guys. I just want a chance at a world title. It’s my dream.”
Huerta, 30, went on to lose one of the more detestable decisions of 2007 in the eyes of many fans. Even an 11th round knockdown of the highly touted Diamond (Almazbek Raiymkulov), now 24-1-1, only earned him the nod on one judge’s scorecard. Instead of ending the dream, the defeat motivated Huerta to quickly return to the ring and post two strong showings against Efren Hinojosa and Daniel Alicea. In the process, he picked up the NABF lightweight strap.
Now Huerta must stay focused as he takes on rugged former world champion Javier Jauregui, 52-14-2 (36), who owns two stoppage victories over Jose Luis Castillo. The bout will be held this Friday, March 14th at the Cicero Stadium in Cicero, Illinois. Telefutura will televise the bout.
“Javier is a tough guy. He’s a little older, but should not be over-looked,” Huerta conceded. “He’s also coming off an upset win, so I need to take him seriously. I’m expecting a good fight. With our styles, the fans can expect a war.”
The bout should be hotly contested as Huerta expects. Jauregui brings a wealth of experience into the ring, but Huerta is certainly the fresher fighter. Both men have sprung their share of surprises and tasted their share of defeats. One more loss for either man could end his status as a contender. A win for Huerta will bring him one step closer to his dream. Without looking past Jauregui, 34, Miguel knows what he wants down the road.
“I would like to fight David Diaz at [lightweight]. That’s what I’m hoping for.”
However, Huerta, 26-8-1 (18), kept his focus on his dream and added wins over respectable opposition like Allan Vester and Rolando Reyes. Then opportunity knocked on his door.
“When I was presented with the fight with Kid Diamond, I felt that was a great opportunity for me. I knew coming in I would be the underdog, but I didn’t mind,” Huerta admits. “I had only two weeks notice for the fight, but I took it real serious and stepped up my game. I think mentally I’m a different fighter. I’m still trying to improve myself, but I feel I belong with the top guys. I just want a chance at a world title. It’s my dream.”
Huerta, 30, went on to lose one of the more detestable decisions of 2007 in the eyes of many fans. Even an 11th round knockdown of the highly touted Diamond (Almazbek Raiymkulov), now 24-1-1, only earned him the nod on one judge’s scorecard. Instead of ending the dream, the defeat motivated Huerta to quickly return to the ring and post two strong showings against Efren Hinojosa and Daniel Alicea. In the process, he picked up the NABF lightweight strap.
Now Huerta must stay focused as he takes on rugged former world champion Javier Jauregui, 52-14-2 (36), who owns two stoppage victories over Jose Luis Castillo. The bout will be held this Friday, March 14th at the Cicero Stadium in Cicero, Illinois. Telefutura will televise the bout.
“Javier is a tough guy. He’s a little older, but should not be over-looked,” Huerta conceded. “He’s also coming off an upset win, so I need to take him seriously. I’m expecting a good fight. With our styles, the fans can expect a war.”
The bout should be hotly contested as Huerta expects. Jauregui brings a wealth of experience into the ring, but Huerta is certainly the fresher fighter. Both men have sprung their share of surprises and tasted their share of defeats. One more loss for either man could end his status as a contender. A win for Huerta will bring him one step closer to his dream. Without looking past Jauregui, 34, Miguel knows what he wants down the road.
“I would like to fight David Diaz at [lightweight]. That’s what I’m hoping for.”
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