Hernandez wins second straight NorCal Jr. Olympic
Championship
GILROY – At only 14-years of age, South Valley seventh grader Jacob Hernandez has already developed into the pride of the Gilroy-based Silver & Black Attack Boxing Club – winning his second straight Northern California Junior Olympic Championship earlier this month.
“I’m kinda taking after Robert (Guerrero),” said Hernandez, who began his training three years ago. “I just give it all I’ve got.”
The Silver & Black Attack Boxing Club, established in 1992 by Team Guerrero, produced undefeated featherweight Robert ‘The Ghost’ Guerrero – who was a six-time amateur champion before turning pro and quickly blossoming into a promising, young contender.
“Robert’s an inspiration for these kids that it can be done. You can achieve greatness out of Gilroy,” Silver & Black trainer Rich Santiago said. “(Jacob) works hard. Every year he gets more mature, sharper, quicker, smarter.”
Following in the footsteps of his predecessor, Hernandez – who took home the 89-pound NorCal title last year – bulked up to the 106-pound weight division this year and came out with the same result.
“His weight was natural, but the competition was stiff. The kids were stronger and more mature this year,” Santiago said. “Jacob used a lot of countering. His defense was outstanding and it made his counterpunching even better.”
The garlic-grown pugilist advanced to the California Regional Finals scheduled for this weekend, where he will go up against Central California Champion Jose Martinez.
“It’s going to be a good fight. We heard the kid’s really good,” Silver & Black trainer Roy Ramos said. “We’re going to attack his body, bring him down and then take his head off.”
Hernandez opened his NorCal title run May 3 in Redwood City with a three-round decision over Jurado Silva, of Union City. It was the third straight time Hernandez beat Silva in his amateur career.
“Jacob threw quicker, cleaner punches,” Ramos said. “It was the third time he fought that kid so they watched video on Jacob from the previous fights and studied him. So instead of starting with the jab, he went to the body first then moved up with the jab and turned the kid around. He won convincingly.”
After a day’s rest, Hernandez returned to the ring for his championship bout against Oscar Godoy, of Watsonville, coming out with another three-round decision.
“While those other kids were throwing two-, three- punch combinations, Jacob was landing five-, six- punch combinations and then pulling out,” Santiago said. “With the scoring, it’s all head punches that count, Jacob throws a lot of body shots to set up for the head shots. That’s why the scoring was close.”
In typical Silver & Black fashion, Hernandez dissected his opponents – changing up his game-plan for the best possible outcome.
“(Godoy) was the taller kid. He had the longer reach. In the first round, the kid was beating (Jacob) with the jab,” said Ramos of the championship bout. “Me and Rich told him to attack the body and slowly work his way up. He got underneath his jab and attacked the body. In the third round, he just tore him up.”
Hernandez now hopes to up his championship status with the upcoming state championship. But that’s as far as his 13-14 age division allows him to go. Next year, Hernandez can fight for the national title and earn a spot on the national team.
“This is his sport. It’s what he likes to do. He can’t get in (the gym) enough,” said Santiago of Hernandez. “This is what he enjoys doing so he’s here everyday putting everything he’s got into it.”
The dedicated, talented slinger trains daily at the Gilroy Community Youth Center Gym on Sixth Street – fine-tuning his boxing skills and always looking to learn more.
“Me and Rich, we can only meet them halfway. The kid’s got to want it,” Ramos said. “Jacob’s special because he wants it. He’s upset when he can’t go to the gym. He begs to get in the gym.”
After his state championship bout, Hernandez is already scheduled to fight in Vacaville in an attempt to avenge one of his earlier losses and then he’ll take a week off.
“I’ve been training a lot harder. I want to go all the way,” Hernandez said. “I’m always trying to sharpen up my punches and footwork.”
And if he ever needs some special assistance from his idol, “(Guerrero) will come in to spar with him.”
