• Hernandez is a former WBC female featherweight champion and also challenged for the lightweight title in 2011.
• The 42-year old has registered 23 wins, eight losses and three draws to date.
Image: FILE
Commonwealth super lightweight champion Sarah Achieng’ will go head to head against former World Boxing Council champion Melissa Hernandez of Puerto Rico in a 10-round fight at Carnivore Grounds in Nairobi on October 21.
Achieng’ alias ‘Angel of war’ also holds the Universal Boxing Organization lightweight championship belt. She beat Malawian opponent Anisha Basheel last year at Charter Hall, Nairobi.
The Box Girl pugilist was making a return to the ring after a three-year hiatus since stopping Joice Awino (7-7- 1) in Nairobi on March 23, 2019.
The Kenya Professional Boxing Commission (KPBC) announced on Wednesday that professional boxing will once again place Kenya at the global scene when the jabs reign for the ultimate prize.
KPBC chairman Reuben Ndolo said that the fight will be another epic encounter for the Achieng to prove her prowess in front of the local adoring fans.
KPBC hosted a pre-fight press conference presided over by Nairobi County Assembly Speaker Hon Ken Ng'ondi at the Maa Hotel in Nairobi. Ngondi said that the assembly will endeavor to support legislation that will support sports and the youth.
"I am happy that my first engagement has been at sports and specifically boxing which is in Nairobi. We shall be pushing for good laws, through the MCAs for the growth of sports," Ngondi said.
"KPBC extends our appreciation to sponsors Maa Hotels and Suites, Safarilink, Avenue Healthcare and Homeboyz Entertainment as well as the promoters Messrs. Solid Rock Promotions for making this fight possible," Ndolo, a former Makadara MP added.
Hernandez is a former WBC female featherweight champion and also challenged for the lightweight title in 2011. The 42-year-old has registered 23 wins, eight losses and three draws to date.
She made her pro boxing debut at the Hilton in New York City in 2005, notching a four-round majority decision over previously unbeaten Mao Mao Zhang of China, also a former amateur champion.
Hernández dictated the pace of the fight with her jab. She executed her game plan well by using excellent footwork, head and body movement, as well as feinting, but she did manage to walk into the line of fire a few times and was hit with a couple of solid left hooks as she tried to get inside.