Freddy Hernandez Runs Over Anchondo

From Primm, NEV., Buffalo Bill’s Resort and Casino and presented by Gary Shaw Production’s in association with Primm Valley Resorts and Showtime, presented “ShoBox” The Next Generation. In the 10-round main event, coming off the destruction of “Chop Chop” Corley, Mexico City, Mexico’s Freddy “El Riel” Hernandez (29-1-1, 20KOs) stopped “The Powerful” Mike Anchondo (30-3, 19KOs), in four rounds, as he seeks out a possible fight with WBC welterweight champion Andre Berto (26-0, 20KOs).

Mike Anchondo entered the fight quick coming forward on his much taller opponent throwing left jabs and hooks. Anchondo was pushing the pace early then was clipped with two hard right-hands to the head by Hernandez towards the end of a close round one, which saw Anchondo land a hard left hook to the jaw of Freddy with seconds remaining.

At the beginning of the 2nd Anchondo landed a nice straight-right to Freddy’s mouth but was outdone moments later by a big straight-right to the side of Anchondo’s jaw and it slightly wobbled Mike who then began lunging forward with his head down causing their heads to come together several times in exchanges. Hernandez was showing a lot of power early with hammering punches. Anchondo was game but was getting blasted with heavy body shots to the ribs and liver thanks to Freddy’s left-hand, and at 1:00 of round two Hernandez crashed down a right-hand on the side of Anchondo’s head that hurt him again and had him evacuating the scene of the punch. Anchondo survived the round and starting throwing back but got touched a few more times on his dome from Hernandez counters.

Anchondo continued to come forward trying to get into Freddy’s real-estate but Hernandez was using his height well staying on the outside, moving and boxing well with vigor in his strikes. At 2:05 of the 3rd Anchondo got hit with another big flush right-hand but took it well. A minute later Hernandez landed two more right-hand bombs flush on the jaw, but again Anchondo absorbed them. Hernandez was punishing Anchondo’s torso with walloping blows and at the end of three Anchondo caught a thumb, or laces to the right eye and he clearly went back to his corner in pain.

At 2:29 of the 4th Hernandez dropped a devastating right-hand bomb on Anchondo that had him on queer-street as he flailed to the canvas. Anchondo got back up and took the eight count then referee Robert Byrd said, “You better show me something Mike!,” as the fight resumed with two minutes still to go in the round. Hernandez kept landing huge rights up top sprinkled with some big left hooks in there, as Anchondo’s hands were at his waist and he was an easy target. At 1:23 Hernandez had him in trouble again and Referee Robert Byrd had seen enough, waving off the action and bestowing Freddy Hernandez with a 4th round TKO victory, improving his resume to 29-1-1, 20KOs on his quest to a title.

Hernandez is in the second phase of his career that saw him take a break only fighting once in twenty months from 07′ to 09′. Hernandez has been busy since 09′ though and is coming off an impressive and brutal 5th round knockout victory over DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley before tonight’s victory, and is on the cusp of a world title shot.

In the 8-round Jr. lightweight co-main event, Miami’s, Cuban born Luis Franco (7-0, 5KOs), who holds victories over Erislany Lara and a pair over Yuriorkis Gamboa in the amateurs, defeated Wilton Hilario (12-2-1, 9KOs), of Minnesota by way of the Dominican Republic, by unanimous decision.

Franco came out calm and calculating coming forward flat on his feet and sitting down on his punches while Wilton was light on his feet, even jittery you could say, moving all about and throwing punches with little mustard. Towards the end of the round Franco landed a nice right-left-hook up top then followed that with a seven or eight punch flurry, he was very busy in the 1st. At :30 seconds referee Jay Nady called a halt to the action to warn the fighters about leading with their heads after a clash of domes. When the fighters resumed work, Franco landed a thudding left hook to the body that hurt Hilario, so Luis did it again then cracked him with a right hook that pushed Hilario against the ropes. With Hilario against the ropes Franco unleashed a hard ten-punch combination where two left hooks and right hook landed before Hilario began throwing back . Once they were separated, Hilario flat-out ran at Franco with his head down like a billy goat and butted Franco. In frustration Franco pushed Hilario away from him while the third man in the ring gave Hilario another warning. Hilario came right back and hit Franco with a low blow on the hip that caused the combatants to have words as they went to their respective corners.

Franco was holding a high guard and would let Hilario throw his combinations as nothing landed but a few body shots here and there. When Luis would come out of his high guard and put his combinations together they were landing at a high rate. The fight was a little rough and there was a lot of holding going on as Jay Nady’s talents were definitely being utilized. Though Hilario was being out landed by a comfortable margin, he was not backing down and was busy in the 2nd throwing lots of punches, yet he was still throwing low blows. Hilario landed a few hard right-hands on Franco when they were in clinches and the rough housing was increasing with time.

The fighters came out in the third and got the crowd excited as they were going toe-to-toe, both throwing crisp combinations mainly up top, in what was becoming a harder and harder fight for Franco who was still winning. At 2:11 Jay Nady stopped the action and took a point from Hilario for hitting low as it was the third time he had to warn him. When the fight resumed Hilario accosted Franco and began throwing heavy leather in combination and landed a hard right uppercut – right hook combination to the face of the Cuban scrapper. Hilario got a little wild in the middle of the round and Franco picked him off with accurate left hooks. Franco was committed to the jab trying to keep the now aggressive Hilario off of him.

Hilario came out very aggressive in the 4th like he couldn’t get to his foe quick enough and was pushing, holding and continuing to hit Franco low. While Hilario was squared-up winging wild rights and lefts, Franco stayed flat-footed in front of his opponent looking for opening’s and countering Hilario well. Franco picked off the reckless Hilario and completely dominated the 4th.

Hilario had a very hard time landing head shots on Franco because of Luis’ peek-a-boo high guard defense, but Wilton landed many hard body punches and the earlier mentioned low blows, while Franco was definitely being tested in his young career with a very live opponent.

To start the 6th Hilario “The Ruffian” came out and landed another low blow followed by another headbutt followed by another Nady warning, which very easily could have been another point taken. Halfway through the period the deft Franco had Hilario’s back against the ropes and Luis popped Wilton with three stout left hooks as he picked up the pace and was going after the Minnesotan eh! With a minute in the round Hilario landed his best punch to that point, a hard right-hand to the kisser of Franco that snapped back his head. Hilario mixed it up well and probably had his best round in the 6th.

In the later rounds Franco also abandoned the jab and was throwing power punches although they were not that powerful. The rounds got closer in the end but followed the same pattern and Franco had to work for everything that he was getting. With :45 seconds in the fight Hilario hit Franco while he was doubled over, on the back four times and Nady halted the action and firmly warned Wilton again. Hilario then ran across the ring at Franco like an out of control bull and their heads came together again causing a bad cut over Hilario’s eye which he could only thank himself for. The sloppy, hard and grueling fight ended with Hilario hitting Franco three seconds after the bell, which was to be expected the way Wilton was utilizing dirty tactics all night long. When the score cards were read Luis Franco won by unanimous decision with scores of 78-73, 80-71 and 77-74 in his longest fight to date, improving the undefeated Franco to 7-0, 5KOs.

Photos: Tom Casino/SHOWTIME