Joey Hernandez Ready for Bundrage

Junior middleweight contender Joey “Twinkle Fingers” Hernandez says he’s in the best shape of his life for his IBF elimination fight against former champion Cornelius “K9” Bundrage this Friday, January 24^th, at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California.  Hernandez just finished training camp in his hometown of Miami, Florida with chief second Herman Caicedo for what is the biggest fight of the 29-year old’s career.  With a win Hernandez could secure his first world title shot against current champion Carlos Molina.

Hernandez (23-1-1, 13 KOs) has won eight bouts in a row since suffering his only professional defeat.  He has also started to develop, and display more punching power, stopping five of those last eight opponents.  The wins have done enough to earn him this opportunity to become the mandatory challenger for Molina, and it’s one that he’s not going to let go to waste.

“A win against Bundrage could change my life,” Hernandez said.  “I have worked hard to get here, and this is the chance to take my career to the next level.  This is a dream come true.”

Hernandez is confident of victory against Bundrage, but is not taking the former belt-holder lightly.

“I envision this being a tough fight due to the fact that he comes straight forward,” Hernandez said.  “The good thing is that I do very well against guys that come straight forward.  He will bring the best out of me.”

The Cuban-American Hernandez arrived in Indio, California on Sunday, but before he departed he held an open workout at Caicedo’s Training Center for the local media.  Hernandez previously worked with Caicedo earlier in his career.  Now that they’re reunited, he says he believes Caicedo is the man that will make him a world champion.

“Herman [Caicedo] knows how to push me hard in training camp, and he definitely has me 100 percent ready for this fight.  Everybody knows I’ve always had the guts, and the skill.  What was missing was the discipline.  Trust me when I say I’m ready for Bundrage.”