Juan Hernandez Sierra (proper) poses alongside long-time rival Oleg Saitov – Picture courtesy of Geraldo Saldivar
Cuban legend Juan Hernández Sierra was one of many premier welterweights on the beginner circuit all through the Nineteen Nineties. Throughout that stretch he received two Olympic silver medals and 4 World Championship gold medals.
Hernández, who was one in every of three brothers, was born within the city of Guane, Pinar del Río within the very west of Cuba, on March 16, 1969.
“I had a quite simple life in my childhood however a cheerful one,” Hernández instructed The Ring by way of Gerardo Saldivar. “Each my dad and mom had been laborious staff. My father labored as a meals warehouse employee and my mom as a hospital cleaner.
“Me and my brothers used to hang around after college and play sports activities. I began as a soccer participant as central defender.”
When he was round 11, 12-years-old, he first watched boxing and it shortly turned his chosen path.
“I keep in mind watching my cousin, Jose Luis Hernandez, on TV and that received my consideration,” he stated. “He was a supply of inspiration and I wished to be like him.
Juan Hernandez Sierra (proper) poses alongside long-time rival Oleg Saitov – Picture courtesy of Geraldo Saldivar
“I used to be chosen for the expertise program and went at an early age to review within the EIDE (sports activities establishment college) in my province after which I moved as much as the ESPA (perfection coaching college) after which the nationwide group, I went from grassroots to elite stage from 1987 to 2000. I used to be a part of nationwide group and I’m actually proud about it.”
He received 9 nationwide titles, no small feat contemplating the huge pool of expertise on the Island. Throughout his tenure on the nationwide group he boxed everywhere in the world and represented Cuba in lots of tournaments.
Sadly for him he needed to accept silver on the Olympics in Barcelona in 1992, shedding 13:10 to Michael Carruth, in addition to in Atlanta in 1996, the place he was edged out by his large rival Oleg Saitov 14:9.
Nonetheless, it was on the World Championships the place he picked up the highest prize in 1991, 1993, 1995 and 1999 in addition to bronze in 1997, that he got here to the fore.
“I used to be at all times well-prepared as within the Olympics however on the World Championships, I received luckier,” he stated.
After shedding on the quarter remaining stage to eventual gold medalist Yermakhan Ibraimov on the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Hernandez retired from boxing with a report of 360-36.
Regardless of his beginner accolades he says the lure {of professional} boxing wasn’t there for him.
“Not likely, as at the moment Cuba was not concerned in skilled boxing,” he defined.
Since then, he has put the wealth of expertise he picked up from his personal profession again into boxing.
“I’m a coach with nationwide Olympic group, I’m caring for Saidel Horta, who I wish to train how you can transfer within the ring,” he stated. “I used to be additionally coach of Kevin Brown, Emmanuel Reyes and David Morrell. The Cuban boxing college is exclusive, top-of-the-line on this planet and has tailored by way of instances, this new era it’s totally different to our instances. Inclusion in skilled boxing has made our boxing enhance.
“My goal is to carry my expertise to the desk with the nationwide group and produce dwelling a number of Olympic gold medals.”
Hernandez, now 55, lives in Havana.
He graciously took time to talk to The Ring about one of the best he fought in 10 key classes.
BEST JAB
Daniel Santos: “The ’95 World championships in Berlin. Within the first combat I had to determine how you can get inside and keep away from his quick jab.”
BEST DEFENSE
Oleg Saitov: “His higher physique motion was particularly troublesome and difficult as he may discover himself able to counter-attack.”
BEST HANDSPEED
Freddy Dominguez: “Agile and it was like ghost arms you couldn’t see the place they got here from.”
BEST FOOTWORK
Damian Austin: “His method of strolling the ring is such as you had been somebody dancing.”
SMARTEST
Saitov: “He had grasp method. We fought 4 instances, I beat him in ’95 World Championships in Berlin after which he beat me 3 times.”
STRONGEST
Leonard Bundu: “The Italian on the Houston World Championships. He was at all times coming ahead, his model was difficult.”
BEST PUNCHER
David Reid: “He’s the toughest puncher I confronted. He caught me with a swing to the chin and I felt like I used to be doll as I flew by way of the air. I felt dangerous and needed to rise up and are available again after which he received me again with a punch within the brow, I felt I left the ground and was the one and first time I visited canvas twice. I been in search of that combat within the web with out success. I want I may watch that combat once more.”
BEST CHIN
Bundu: “He was a stronger boxer bodily.”
BEST BOXING SKILLS
Saitov: “He beat me 3 times. What can I say, nice boxing method and expertise, nothing however respect.”
BEST OVERALL
Saitov: “Saitov had mastered a way within the higher physique motion and has additionally energy punch and was troublesome to determine his model after we face one another.”
Gerardo Saldivar helped coordinate and translate this function. The Ring appreciated his help
Questions and/or feedback may be despatched to Anson at [email protected].
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