BOXING: Ramiro Hernandez continues to forge his own path and define his own identity as a boxer

STORY BY RAY KILGORE
Fifteen minutes before fight time, Ramiro Hernandez had been informed that it was time to exit his dressing room. He was preparing to challenge a fighter named Antwan Robertson, a fighter whose unimpressive record (10-19-1, 6 KOs) was misleading, as Robertson had good skills.

But now it was time for the 30-year-old Hernandez to head to the ring. And with the traditional Mexican music blaring over the loudspeaker at Grand Casino in Hinkley, Minnesota, Hernandez was feeling little adrenaline or nervous energy.

Hernandez made it clear that he wasn’t feeling dismissive of Robertson’s skills, and he was not overconfident because most of his (15-0-0, 10 KOs) fights had taken place in Minnesota, actually at Grand Casino.

Instead, his peace of mind headed to the ring was due to a combination of factors that intuitively told him all would be well. “The moments before each professional fight, I am feeling thankful to God and to everyone who has helped make this moment happen,” he says. “As I get closer to the ring, the realization becomes stronger that I am living my dream.”

Hernandez stopped Robertson in round one. But long before the Robertson fight or any of Hernandez’s other victories, he had imagined himself victorious and was working toward that vision as he turned professional in 2014.

Ramiro Hernandez grew up with four siblings, and his parents Soraya and Ramiro Sr. saw lots of talent in their children, but didn’t see them as promising boxers. “My mother being a martial artist saw and experienced the tough life of a fighter,” said Hernandez, who fights tonight at the Grand Casino. “And [she] didn’t want it for me. She was reluctant to let me box for the longest [time] until I convinced her after some years.”

When people think of a boxer, they might picture a brooding man whose manner seems to suggest a threat if you approach them the wrong way. But with Hernandez, there so no such feeling. If there are tendencies toward bravado today, he seems to have learned to keep them in their proper place by recalling why he took up the sport and remembering that those tendencies need to remain in the past.

“I wouldn’t say being bullied made me want to box or anything, but situations like that did help make me tough and refuse to back down,” said the fighter, who has four siblings. “So when I started boxing, I wasn’t scared to get in the ring with anyone because I would fight without gloves, without headgear and a mouthpiece or [boxing] rules. So boxing someone didn’t seem so bad.”

Hernandez is the current Minnesota State Super Feather Champ, a title that he earned in 2018. And while the belt isn’t a national world title, this achievement isn’t something that the average local boxer can enter the ring and earn.

Of course, holding a state title doesn’t make things easy. A recent national fight was a reminder to him that an undisciplined fighter has greater potential for negative consequences.

“I was very happy for him and motivated that anyone could achieve their dreams no matter the odds; it was a good example of when preparation meets opportunity,” said Hernandez, speaking about Andy Ruiz (1-0-0), the first Mexican in heavyweight history. Ruiz won three national world title belts, despite being a major underdog. “Then when he lost the rematch, it really was humbling and a reminder not celebrate too early,” said Hernandez. “If you haven’t reached your goal, then you can’t relax, even after a little success. I have to stay focused and not get caught up in the moment.”

Hernandez is of Mexican descent, and that brings with it certain expectations from the fans and the community. Mexican fighters have a reputation for toughness, and many feel they are supposed to pay homage to the tradition of Mexican fighters by demonstrating what is often labeled a “Mexican style.” This describes a fighter who is willing to take 15 blows to the head in order to land two of his own, in the hopes that those two shots will be powerful enough to end the fight.

But while heart and determination are a part of Hernandez’s skill as a boxer, his arsenal goes beyond a brawling style. He also demonstrates agility, ring IQ, and a solid understanding of what it means to him to be successful

As he continues to move forward in his career, if he is successful, he will eventually find himself in line for bigger fights. Rumors suggest that should he defeat Vincent Jennings (6-10-2) tonight, he will face former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury’s good friend Isaac Lowe (19-0-3, 6 KOs). (And Hernandez is expected to steam roll Jennings.) This would be a major step in Hernandez’s career, given that Lowe does not appear to produce enough punching power to hurt Hernandez, who has never been stopped so far.

About the potential Lowe fight, Hernandez says, “To be honest, my thoughts are on my upcoming fight. But I understand that could be a great opportunity. But I’m focused on what’s in front of me.”

Hernandez has faced some criticism for refusing to claim Minnesota as his home, something that most boxing fans demand of their local fighters, if that boxer is showing potential. And while he continues to give Minnesota fans the quality fights they want, Hernandez’s fighting alliance is unclear–to others, though, not to him. “I’m from Cleveland, Ohio, but at a young age my parents split up, and I’ve been between the two states as a result. I’ve trained in Minnesota working with Jesse Garza, [but] I had more opportunities to spar with elite lightweight professionals at that time in Cleveland, so it made sense to train out of Cleveland.” But he stresses, “I represent for Ohio, Minnesota, and Mexico.”

Minnesota has plenty of quality boxers, such as those on tonight’s card, and these fighters want to demonstrate their skills against other fighters who are considered the “man” in their division. And there are two fighters in particular who are rumored to be determined to topple not only Hernandez’s undefeated record and his title, but also reputation as the “man” in their division. Those two fighters are undefeated Gizzy Hobbs (6-0-0) and Marion Simms (5-1-0). Hernandez knows they are coming for him. “I respect those guys’ ambition, and as fighters, we all are aiming at those who appear to be ahead of us. I will continue aiming towards my goals as well.”

Early childhood hardships, an expectation to live up to the long tradition of the ideal Mexican fighter, an undefeated record to defend, hopes for advancing his career enough to earn decent paydays, and the chance to add a world title to his resume add up to a great deal of pressure. But there’s something about this guy that says when it is all over, he understands what his struggles have meant. And what he knows is that his faith, support from his four siblings and his parents Soraya and Ramiro Sr., his purpose in boxing, motivation to persevere, are all safeguards against true failure. He knows that no matter what, he will work his way through any adversity in competitive fashion, in order to be defined only by his own standards. “I’ve seen my share of adversity in and out the ring,” he says, “but quitting or giving up was never an option for me.” But he also adds, “Fear [can] be a great motivator.”