BREAKFAST FOR A CHAMPION- “CHURRITOS” DANCES FOR JOY!

By James Blears

Juan “Churritos” Hernandez, who`s the new World Boxing Council Flyweight champion was cheered and given umpteen standing ovations  before, during and after being presented with his cherished green and  gold belt by WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman, at the Mexico City HQ of the National Railway Workers Union, who are his major sponsors.

The softly spoken man with a normally modest manner and shy smile, beamed from ear to ear, and arm in arm with union members danced a jig of joy  up on the stage.  Such was the pure and sheer emotion of this very, special  presentation event, which turned into a delighted and delightful  celebration….Breakfast of a Champion!

Juan who went to Bangkok and overwhelmed local undefeated favourite Nawaphon Kaikanha via a third round TKO to win the vacant title, said: “I was so happy, but the moment of triumph passed so quickly.  Round two was tough as he hit me hard with a left hook and a hard right, but I myself had planned to go all out for a KO in the first several rounds, and thank God it worked! It`s the culmination of thirteen years as an amateur and 13 years as a professional.  It was fantastic when Mauricio strapped the belt on my shoulders in front of my friends, the people who`ve always supported me…my people!  I would love to fight against Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez and would savour that moment.”

Juan`s trainer Isaac “Tortas” Bustos, himself a former WBC minimumweight champion who went to Tokyo to win his crown by KO , says it`s the first time in 16 years that a Mexican fighter has gone to the lions` den of Thailand and returned home a world beater, and he characteristically grinned:  “We are just thrilled for Juan and today we`re celebrating.  The first round was more or less even, but the Thai came on strong in the second and Juan was cut. But Juan was supreme, stopping him in the third.  Juan was working hard, and the opportunity came. Many times in boxing it`s necessary to improvise, and Juan improvised brilliantly.  Emotions were welling up and it was worth everything we`d worked so hard for.”

Juan`s other trainer Jorge Barrera said: “This was a truly magnificent victory.  We and Juan worked so very hard for 35 days in the Otomi high altitude training center and  more time here in Mexico City in the gym of me and my Brother Marco.  Well done Churritos!”

Rail Union President Victor Flores was on the right lines, describing this locomotive victory as he stressed: “Juan`s victory is a great pride and a real example of discipline and dedication. It`s a great achievement for Mexico and the World!”

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman said:  “This is a tremendous feat. To go to Thailand and to win by TKO is a tremendous accomplishment. Churritos who found a new path via boxing, now conquers the Green and Gold Belt. It`s a glory, he`s a hero in Mexico. On that day, nothing was going to stop him.  He had fire in his eyes, performed brilliantly and stopped an undefeated fighter.  I`m just thrilled for him and thrilled for Boxing.”