"Toro" Bulls His Way into "Boxeo De Oro" Thursday

Angel Hernandez is a modest fellow. The top junior middleweight contender, who headlines Thursday's "Oscar De La Hoya Presents Boxeo De Oro" show from the Allstate Arena in Chicago against Victor Rosado, says that in the ring, "I just think about doing my job and looking good in the ring." But in reality, "Toro" is a fan's dream, always looking for ways to make a fight exciting.

That's one reason the 27-year-old has endeared himself to Chicago fans, who pack houses around the area when Hernandez fights. Another may be the fact that he gives back to the community, most recently donating a portion of his purse this Thursday to the Mexican American Youth Association (MAYA).

Unfortunately, his opponents may not think as highly of him, as in the ring he is a relentless warrior, throwing punches and imposing his will from bell to bell. Even when Hernandez has been on the short end of the win-loss column, his rivals have known that they were in a fight.

His last bout, a close loss to fellow prospect Kassim Ouma in May, is an example. Ouma started out strong, but as the bout wore on, it was Hernandez in control, pressing the action and forcing Ouma backwards. So at the end of 12 rounds, many in attendance thought "Toro" had earned the win, including Hernandez.

"I think I won the fight," said Hernandez, a former NABF champ who is 25-4 with 16 KOs. "I was the aggressive fighter. I put pressure on for the whole fight and I thought it was close, but I thought I won. But the judges make the decision and I can't do anything about it."

Refusing to get discouraged, Hernandez stepped right back into the gym, and on Thursday, he will make his HBO Latino against New York's Rosado (17-4-1, 11 KOs). If he's feeling nervous about his HBO debut, it's not showing, but he knows that another loss would severely hamper his dreams of a world title.

"The only pressure on me is to have another victory," said Hernandez. "I don 't have time to lose anymore."

Born in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, Hernandez was the son of a professional baseball player who was to be seen by the New York Yankees before a tragic car accident ended his life in 1992.

At 17, Angel and his family moved to Chicago, and at the relatively late age of 18, he began boxing. After a 27-3 amateur career, Hernandez turned pro at the age of 20, but he didn't know that he had a future among the elite fighters in the world until later.

"It wasn't until I was 23 that I knew I could do something real big in this sport," said Hernandez.

Hoping to follow in the footsteps of his heroes Julio Cesar Chavez and Salvador Sanchez, the married father of two daughters, is bringing his best into the ring on Thursday. And if you've never seen him fight, Angel Hernandez thinks you're in for a treat.

"The fans are gonna see a very exciting fight," he said. "I'm just ready to fight and I'm eager to win."

In the televised co-feature, unbeaten super middleweight Librado Andrade (15-0, 10 KOs) makes his "Boxeo De Oro" debut when he faces Eduardo Ayala (23-9, 12 KOs). The 24-year-old Andrade, a native of Leon Guanajuato, Mexico, now living in La Habra, California, is a hard-hitting crowd pleaser who, along with unbeaten brother Enrique, has been making a name for himself on the West Coast boxing scene. On Thursday, fans around the nation will get to see what all the talk is about.