Junior Lightweight Hernandez Brings Title Hopes to Pond

Bellflower junior lightweight Carlos Hernandez, ranked sixth by the World Boxing Organization, will attempt to keep his title hopes alive against Bernard Harris of Detroit in tonight’s main event at the Pond. Hernandez (23-1-1) was on the verge of getting a title shot two years ago before he suffered the only loss of his career, in September, 1995, to Aaron Zarate.

Hernandez has fought only twice since. He won an impressive 10-round decision over former World Boxing Council featherweight champion Gregorio Vargas three months ago and knocked out Isagani Pumar in July, 1996, for the International Boxing Council title.

Hernandez’s inactivity can be partly attributed to management problems. After losing to Zarate, Hernandez cut his ties with Robert Alcazar and Joel De La Hoya, who manage world champion Oscar De La Hoya.

“Carlos thought they were putting all their emphasis on De La Hoya,” said Hernandez’s new manager Jack Lipeles, a jeweler in Long Beach who makes championship rings for professional boxers. “He didn’t feel he got enough help with that [Zarate] fight.”

Lipeles said he is working on getting Hernandez, 26, back in the title hunt.

“Carlos is ready for a world championship fight,” Lipeles said. “We’ll take any title shot we can get.”

Harris, 23, has fought professionally only 11 times, winning 10 and drawing once.

“We look for Carlos to be too strong and a lot more experienced,” Lipeles said. “Every fight is important. This one is especially important. It wouldn’t be the end of the world if we lost, but being on the verge of a title shot, we don’t want to lose.”

Lipeles said he has been told Hernandez will be given a chance to fight for the vacant WBO title by the end of the year. He said he has also been talking with featherweight Prince Naseem Hamed of England, who might move up a weight class to fight Hernandez.

In two other 10-round bouts, flyweight Alejandro Montiel (33-3, 22 knockouts) of Los Mochis, Mexico, faces Miguel Granados (17-5-1, seven knockouts) of Mexico City and bantamweight Jorge Eliecer Julio (35-1, 27 knockouts) of Colombia, ranked No. 1 in the WBO, takes on Felipe Castillo of Mexico City.

The undercard begins at 7:15 p.m. and the main event starts at 9. Tickets are priced at $15, $30, $45, $65, $75 and $100.