On Thursday night, May 2nd at the Omega Products Outdoor Events Center in Corona, California, former world lightweight title challenger Ji-Hoon Kim will be moving up in weight to take on Mauricio Herrera in the main event of a special edition of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights.
The show, which will display a televised co-feature between Miguel Gonzalez and former world lightweight champion Miguel Acosta, is promoted by Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing.
For Kim (24-8, 18 KO’s), the move up in weight was three years in the making since his world title fight with Miguel Vasquez in 2010.
“I had problems making 135 dating back to the Vasquez fight in August of 2010. I decided to move to 140. But then I thought I would have some more opportunities at 135.” said Kim.
“After my last bout I knew it was time to move up.”
Kim isn’t picking on any soft touch in his Jr. Welterweight debut as he is taking on Herrera (18-3, 7 KO’s).
“Herrera is a very good boxer. He has speed and power. He will not be easy. Because I have trained very hard and we have studied his style, this is a great chance. I can’t lose this opportunity.”
Kim has been a staple on network television due to his exciting style where he almost always over 100 punches per round.
“All of the fighters that I fought are good fighters and have a great heart. That helps make action fights. I am always ready and in shape and I have never have had an easy opponent and nor do I want to fight an easy opponent. That raises my level when I know I have a tough fight. I love to train hard. This fight will be another action fight but you will see some differences.”
Kim looks to give his fans another great fight.
“I appreciate all my supporters. It means a lot that being from Korea where I have a lot of fans in my homeland, its extra special knowing that I have a lot of fans in America I will show a great performance and how hard I trained.”
