Hernandez Makes Case for Title Bout

ANAHEIM — Carlos “Famous” Hernandez didn’t send anybody to the hospital, but Monday night at the Pond in front of an announced crowd of 2,711, he did make his case for a world title fight.

Hernandez, a junior lightweight from Bellflower, punished an outclassed Jose Montes of Mexico City with body shots, then finished him off with a left uppercut to the head and left hook to the body at 1 minute 37 seconds of Round 2.

Hernandez knocked his last opponent, Bernard Harris, unconscious, he beat up Goyo Vargas badly and he sent Isagani Pumar to the hospital with a concussion. Montes wasn’t around long enough to suffer much damage. A late replacement for Raul Franco, Montes (19-14) never threatened Hernandez.

By the middle of the first round, it was evident he would be nothing more than a punching bag. He spent most of the night on the ropes and rarely threw any punches.

“My trainer Bill Slayton told me to go to the body,” Hernandez said. “I hit him with a good left hook to the liver and he didn’t get up.”

Now the biggest question is, where does Hernandez go from here? He would like to go straight to a World Boxing Organization title fight against the winner of the Julian Lorcey-Chico Castillo fight, which is tentatively scheduled for July.

First, he must find a promoter. His contract with Forum Boxing expired in April.

“I hope Don King, Bob Arum and Dan Goossen were watching,” Hernandez said. “I hope they make me an offer I can’t refuse.”

More than likely Hernandez, ranked third by the WBO, will have to fight a few more Montes types before he fights for a title.

In the semi-main event, featherweight Roberto Villareal (21-10-1) of Monclove, Mexico, won a five-round technical decision over Jorge Monzon of Mexico City (12-5). Villareal knocked down Monzon at the end of the first round with a crisp left hook, overhand right combination.

Villareal controlled the next four rounds with an effective left hook and led on all three scorecards when ringside physician Michael Deluca stopped the bout because of a deep gash over Villareal’s left eye. The cut was caused by an accidental head butt. Villareal had lost seven bouts in a row but he’s now won his last three.

On the undercard, junior middleweight Floyd Weaver (14-5-2) of Diamond Bar won a majority six-round decision over Dwain Williams (6-1) of Los Angeles. Light heavyweight Julio Gonzalez (3-0) of Huntington Beach scored a first-round knockout over James Brock (3-2-1) of Los Angeles. Heavyweight Carlos “The Shock Absorber” Monroe won by first-round knockout over Jorge Vilchis (6-3) of Mexico City.