Star Boxing’s Demetrius “The Matador” Andrade turned in an electrifying performance, destroying former world title challenger Angel “Toro” Hernandez in two rounds, in tonight’s ESPN Friday Night Fights main event on an entertaining card, presented by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, at Mohegan Sun Arena.
Andrade improved his record to a perfect 16-0 (11 KOs) and captured his first title belt, the IBA Americas junior middleweight title. The 2008 U.S. Olympian is presently rated among the top 15 in all four governing bodies: WBO #9, IBF #12, WBC #14 and WBA #15.
The 23-year-old from Providence went to Hernandez’ (30-11, 17 KOs) body in the opening round and then opened-up in the second, dropping Angel once and then again for good at 1:39 as referee Steve Smoger waved off the count and declared the outcome a knockout.
“I felt good,” Andrade commented after the fight. “I was in great shape. I saw he was breathing heavy after the first round and decided to take the fight to him in the second. I knew I had him, especially after the straight left. This is my first belt and I’m going to collect a lot more. A few more fights, little more experience, and I’ll be ready for anybody in the world.”
Andrade is co-promoted by DeGuardia’s Star Boxing and Banner Promotions.
In the co-feature, unbeaten Philadelphia junior welterweight Raymond “Tito” Serrano (18-0, 8 KOs), rated No. 15 by the WBA, bounced back from a third-round knockdown to take a unanimous 10-round decision from Kenny Abril (11-2-4, 6 KOs).
“It was a good fight,” Serrano said. “I felt like I was winning the (third) round, but I slipped as he hit me with a jab (knockdown). I wasn’t hurt. He’s a strong fighter. We went a good 10 rounds. It was a good experience and I’m 18-0.”
Bronx super featherweight Emanuel Gonzalez (10-0, 7 KOs) kept his perfect record intact by way of a fourth-round unanimous decision versus Jesus Bayron.
Former USBA & NABO champion “Mighty” Mike Arnaoutis (23-7-2, 10 KOs) registered a workmanlike victory by six-round decision against veteran junior welterweight Shaka Moore.
East Hartford’s popular super featherweight Joseph “Chip” Perez (7-1, 2 KOs) out-gunned a game Jamell Tyson for a hard-fought six-round decision. Local favorite Jair Ramos (2-0, 2 KOs) stopped junior welterweight Miguel Rodriguez (0-2) in the second round. Super middleweight Charles Foster (2-0, 1 KO) a knockdown to defeat Borngood Washington in a spirited bout.
Full results:
JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Demetrius Andrade (16-0, 11 KOs), Providence, RI WKO2 (1:39) Angel Hernandez (30-11, 17 KOs), Chicago, IL
(Andrade won the IBA Americas Junior Middleweight title)
SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Charles Foster (2-0, 1 KO), New Haven, CT WDEC4 (38-37, 38-37, 38-37) Borngood Washington (3-10, 1 KO), Queens, NY
JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS
Raymond Serrano (18-0, 8 KOs), Philadelphia, PA WDEC10 (97-92, 97-92, 95-94) Kenny Abril (11-2-4, 6 KOs), Rochester, NY
Mike Arnaoutis (23-7-2, 10 KOs), Astoria, NY WDEC6 (60-54, 60-54, 59-55) Shaka Moore (11-16-3, 2 KOs), Norwalk, CT
Jair Ramos (2-0, 1 KO), Waterbury, CT WTKO2 (0:53) Miguel Rodriguez (0-2), Philadelphia, PA
SUPER FEATHERWEIGHTS
Emanuel Gonzalez (10-0, 7 KOs), Bronx, NY WDEC4 (40-46, 39-37, 39-37) Jesus Bayron (5-4-1, 4 KOs), San Jua, PR
Joseph Perez (7-1, 2 KOs), East Hartford, CT WDEC6 (59-55, 58-56, 58-56) Jamell Tyson (2-5-1, 1 KO), Rochester, NY
