History being made May 19th 1st world title fight in Kansas history
*EDMONTON, Canada (May 7, 2018**)* – History will be made May 19th in
several categories, when International Boxing Association (IBA) Americas
flyweight champion *Nico Hernandez* (4-0, 3 KOs) faces *Szilveszter “The
Silent Assassin” Kanalas* (14-7, 9 KOs) for the vacant IBA World Flyweight
Championship, headlining SUPERBOX LIVE: High Stakes at Kansas Star Arena in
Mulvane, Kansas.
*Hernandez vs. Kanalas* will launch Super Channel’s new live boxing
series, *SUPERBOX
LIVE*, in association with *KO Night Boxing LLC*, airing live exclusively
in Canada on Super Channel. Integrated Sports Media will distribute
“SUPERBOX LIVE: High Stakes” in the United States on cable, satellite and
digital pay-per-view via iN Demand, Vubiquity, DIRECTV, DISH and
live-streamed worldwide on FITE.TV <fite.tv/> app and website
(excluding Canada) for a suggested retail price of only $19.95.
The winner of the 12-round main event — the first world championship
boxing match ever held in the state of Kansas — between Wichita-native
Hernandez, 21, and his 19-year-old Hungarian opponent, Kanalas, will become
the youngest ever IBA World champion. If Hernandez emerges victoriously, he
will also set a record for fewest professional fights needed to win an IBA
World title (5).
“I think that says how skilled a fighter I am and that I’m ready to compete
with the best in the world,” Hernandez responded to being asked what it
says about him fighting for a world title in only his fifth pro fight. “But
I look at every fight the same and I never underestimate my opponent. I’ve
been training just as hard for this fight as for any of my other fights.
The only difference this fight is that I’m training to go more rounds.
“I’ve been making history since I was a kid. I’ve always been on top and
the one to beat, so I feel like this is another step I’m taking forward in
my career. I also hope to be a role model, not only for kids, but also
people older than me, and to bring more events and excitement to my city. I
love fighting anywhere in Wichita because of the support I get from my
hometown fans. This fight (at Kansas Star Arena where he made his pro
debut) will definitely bring back some good memories.”
Two years ago, Kanalas became one of the youngest (17) world champions in
pro boxing history, when he defeated fellow Hungarian boxer*, Jozsef Ajtai*,
for the vacant World Boxing Federation (WBF) Super Flyweight World
Championship.
“I’m not really worried about my opponent,” Hernandez added. “I just focus
on what I need to do because, if I’m on my game and trained hard, nobody
can be me except me! I’ll be prepared to anything and one of my best assets
in the ring is adapting. I’ll see how I’m feeling after the first round.
I’m not going into the ring looking for a knockout, but I don’t plan on
this fight going 12 rounds.”
Hernandez can join other US Olympians who were IBA World champions such as
Hall-of-Famers *Oscar de la Hoya* and *George Foreman*, along with stars
such as *Roy Jones, Jr.*and *Antonio Tarver*.
In the co-featured event, Russian heavyweight prospect *Andrey Afonin* (5-0,
2 KOs) faces veteran Cuban fighter *Pedro “El Reguilete” Rodriguez* (23-4,
19 KOs) in a eight-round bout. Afonin was a 2011 Russian Junior
Championships gold medalist, while Rodriguez is a former World Boxing
Association (WBA) Fedalatin cruiserweight champion.
Another heavyweight also fighting on the televised segment of the show is
undefeated Ukrainian heavyweight prospect *Oleksandr Teslenko* (12-0, 10
KOs), fighting out of Toronto, against to soon be determined.
Undefeated Washington featherweight *Victor Morales, Jr.* (8-0, 4 KOs)
steps up in class to face *David Berna* (15-3, 14 KOs), of Hungary, in an
intriguing eight-round match up.
Also fighting on the under, all in four-round bouts, are popular Wichita
junior welterweight *Jeff Sturm* (2-0, 1 KO) vs. Nigeria-native *Archie
Weah* (2-10), Kansas City, KS cruiserweight *Chris Harris *(2-2-2, 2 KOs)
vs. *Leroy Jones* (2-3, 2 KOs), of Saint Louis (MO), Topeka-, KS
welterweight *Brian Clements* (0-1-1) vs. Nebraska’s *Luis Marquez* (0-2),
and undefeated Texas junior middleweight *Joe Alday, Jr.* (7-0, 7 KOs).
To watch “SUPERBOX LIVE: High Stakes” live in Canada, showcasing undefeated
Canadian heavyweight Teslenko, in addition to more exciting boxing to come
in 2018, fight fans can contact their local cable provider to subscribe to
Super Channel and all that it offers, including premium series, movies and
much more, for as low as $9.95 per month.
