‘88 Olympic Champion to Fight in Irvine Tonight

Kenya’s Napunyi (Robert) Wangila, the 1988 Olympic gold medalist in the welterweight division, will be featured in tonight’s main event at the Irvine Marriott.

Wangila takes on Will Hernandez of Sacramento in a rematch of a bout held in March, 1992 in Las Vegas.

The previous bout was about even before Hernandez scored an eighth-round knockout. That was Wangila’s most-recentappearance was in the ring.

During his layoff, Wangila weighed as much as 190 pounds but has worked his way back to 154 for tonight’s fight.

Wangila is 19-3, with 14 knockouts. Hernandez is 10-8 with seven knockouts.

“(Wangila) looks better than I’ve ever seen him,” said Cassiun Greene, who helps train Wangila. “He’s learned something he’s never learned before--the principles of boxing.

“I’m very excited about his improvement. I think (Hernandez) will see a different fighter than he saw last time.”

Wangila’s biggest moment in his boxing career came in 1988 in Seoul when he knocked out France’s Laurent Boudouani to win the gold medal.

He was the first black African boxer to win a gold medal. It also was the first time the welterweight gold medal had been decided by knockout. The previous 16 golds had been awarded by decision.

The semi-main event features two featherweights, both with main-event experience at the Marriott.

Gonzales Ramirez and Jose Herrera, both of Los Angeles, will meet in a bout scheduled for eight rounds.

Ramirez lost to Rudy Zavala and Herrera was beaten by Mike Samaza in their main-event appearances.

The first of six bouts starts at 7:30 p.m., and tickets--priced at $35, $32 and $25--go on sale at 10 a.m. today in the grand ballroom of the hotel. No one under 16 will be admitted.