2016 Olympic bronze medalist Nico Hernandez dedicated to building boxing in Wichita

Published by Shawn C.

*PARK CITY, Kansas* (June 1, 2017) – Wichita-native *Nico Hernandez* (1-0,
1 KO), a 2016 Olympic bronze medalist, is on a mission to establish his
home as a real “fight town” like world champion *Terence Crawfor*d has done
in Omaha, Nebraska.

The 21-year-old Hernandez returns to action Saturday, June 17, in the
six-round main event against Mexican-born flyweight opponent *Jose
Rodriguez* (2-0, 2 KOs), headlining “KO Night Boxing: Rapid Fire”, which
will air (10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT) on CBS Sports Network live from Hartman
Arena in Park City, Kansas.

“KO Night Boxing: Rapid Fire” is a presentation of KO Night Boxing LLC.

Hernandez drew nearly 3,200 fans for his professional debut, March 25, in
nearby Mulvane (KS), in which he knocked out *Patrick Gutierrez* in the
fourth round of the main event, which was also televised live on CBS Sports
Network.

Hernandez’ promoter, KO Night Boxing, LLC, is committed to showcasing
Hernandez at home on national television, as well as provide a platform for
young Kansas boxers for them to develop their skills and build intra-state
rivalries as evident on this card.

“My plan is to do it like Terence Crawford has done in Omaha,” Hernandez
explained. “I’m hoping it works out as well for me. It means so much for
me to bring boxing to Wichita, to all of Kansas, for these fans and all the
good, young boxers we have here.”

“This is a good opportunity for fighters from Wichita, across Kanas, to
showcase their skills to the boxing world,” promoter *John Andersen* said.
“Nico is giving all these other fighters a chance to do that by headlining
our shows on CBS Sports Network. They need to fight to develop; otherwise,
they’d have to travel far from home just to fight. They can build fanbases
close to their hometowns.

“We’re an up-and-coming promotional company, much like Nico as a pro
fighter, and together we want to build boxing across Kansas and build
natural rivalries like we have on this card. Nico is the perfect fighter to
do this because, in addition to being an Olympic medalist, he’s a great
role model for young people in Wichita, and Kansas as a whole, to emulate.
We’ve planted the boxing seed in Wichita, through Nico, and we feel that
boxing is going to grow across the state where Nico is bigger than life.”

Unbeaten Canadian featherweight *Marc “Gwapo” Pagcaliwangan* (10-0-1, 8
KOs) meets *Angel “Terrible” Monrreal* (10-8-1, 3 KOs), of Mexico, in the
eight-round co-feature, while Wichita junior middleweight *Noel
Esquada* (7-3-2,
5 KOs) takes on 2012 Chicago Golden Gloves champion *Limberth “El Gallito”
Ponce* (12-3, 9 KOs) in the six-round match,

A prime example of a budding intrastate Kansas rivalry will be displayed in
the televised opener as Garden City (KS) featherweight prospect *Eric
Vargas* (2-0, 1 KO) takes on pro-debuting *Humberto “Tito” Tellez*,
fighting out of Winfield (KS).

The non-televised “KO Night Boxing: Rapid Fire” undercard is loaded with
local talent: pro-debuting Topeka (KS) junior welterweight *Brian Clements*
vs. *Bryan Montalvo* (1-9, 1 KO), of Garden City (KS); Winfield light
heavyweight *Juan Hollingsworth* (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Oklahoman *Matt Dixon* in
his pro debut, and pro-debuting middleweights *Eddie Chavez*, of Wichita,
and Garden City’s *Fernando Jasso* throw-down in the opening bout.

All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets are on sale at the Hartman Arena box office and
www.ticketmaster.com/event/060052A193761C74
.
Prices are $175.00 (VIP ringside package ticket which includes a
limited-edition event T-shirt and a ticket to the official after-party with
a meet-and-greet opportunity), $150.00 (floor seat which includes a
limited-edition event T-shirt), $75.00, $35.00 and $20.00. Tickets will
also be sold in Wichita at Angela’s Café (2119 W. 21st St. N, or call Team
Nico (Jeremiah @ 316. 393.3743 <(316)%20393-3743> or Lewis @ 316.806.0144
<(316)%20806-0144>).