Rising junior welterweight Tony “Lighting” Luis (15-0, 7 KOs), will now face veteran Jose “Loco” Hernandez (13-6-1, 5 KOs) on Friday’s ESPN Friday Night Fights at the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, NY. The quick-handed Canadian’s original foe Miguel Gonzalez withdrew, citing an illness and opening the door for Hernandez. “Jose Hernandez is a very difficult opponent and there’s a reason he’s never been in a rematch,” said Luis’ promoter Greg Cohen of Greg Cohen Promotions. “To be honest, I think he’s tougher than Gonzalez and Tony will definitely be tested, but I expect him to pass with flying colors. I think Tony’s the real deal and this is the next step on his journey to be a world champion.”
The card will be headlined by a 12 round main event, as NABO titleholder Brian Vera (21-6-0, 12 KOs) defends against former WBO junior middleweight world champion Sergiy Dzinziruk (37-1-1, 24 KOs). Current WBA junior middleweight world champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout will be in attendance as a special guest.
