Former WBA interim super lightweight world champion Lake Elsinore’s Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera (22-5, 7 KOs) returns to the ring as he will take on East L.A’s undefeated welterweight Frankie Gomez (20-0, 13 KO’s) this Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas live on HBO Pay per view. We caught up with Herrera as he spoke about his upcoming fight with Gomez.
“I am excited to be back in the ring, I am facing a tough fighter. This is another guy coming he’s going to respect me as a fighter,” Mauricio Herrera told Southern California Boxing.com. “Frankie Gomez is undefeated it’s his biggest test I hope he is training hard,” Herrera added.
Herrera held training camp in his hometown of Riverside, California in preparation for Gomez.
“We have been working really hard, my team and I. This is a tough fight and we put in the work necessary to come out with the win,” Herrera said.
In what was a disappointing win last summer, Herrera earned a majority technical decision over Hank Lundy after the fight was stopped due to an accidental clash of heads. Herrera was cut over his right eye in round one as the fight continued but was stopped in the fifth round.
“Lundy fight was an okay fight that night I got butted in the first round. When that happened it was frustrating moment, I wasn’t satisfied nobody wants the fight to be stopped but I got the win,” Herrera said. “Lundy was awkward,” Herrera added.
Now the former world champion, Herrera leaves that behind as he will now be fighting on what of the biggest stages in boxing as he will be fighting Cinco de Mayo weekend on a pay per view card at the brand new T-Mobile Arena.
“I’m excited I love to fight in Vegas and now fighting at the new T-Mobile Arena,” Herrera said. “This is the biggest stage to be fighting on the Canelo card,” Herrera added.
His opponent the young undefeated Frankie Gomez is coming off a unanimous decision over Silverio Ortiz. Last year was a disappointing year for Gomez as he was his opportunity on the big stage slip away after failing to make weight for his HBO debut against former world champion Humberto Soto. He returned to the ring with a unanimous decision over Jorge Silva. Herrera gave us his thoughts on Gomez.
“Frankie is a fighter looking to catch a break, it’s a big fight in front of a big crowd,” Herrera said. “Frankie is another tough fight and I am ready for anything,” Herrera added.
For Herrera this is not his first rodeo as he has seen it all in the ring as he will be taking on the undefeated Gomez. Having been in the ring in some tough fights with the likes of former world champions Mike Achondo, Mike Alvarado, and not to mention a series of controversial losses to current undefeated world champions Danny Garcia and Jose Benavidez. He also holds wins over former world champions Johan Perez and Ruslan Provodnikov.
“I feel I fought tougher guys, undefeated guys. I know they don’t want to lose but I am not that easy. Mentally it will be a long night for him,” Herrera added.
The 35 year old veteran is looking to get back in the mix in the super lightweight division. Some of the names include WBO champion Terrance “Bud” Crawford and WBC champion Viktor Postol who will square off in the summer. Other names include WBA interim champion Jose Benavidez, former world champions Ruslan Provodnikov, and Lucas Matthysse.
“A win here will be a big thing. It opens lots of doors, I feel I am ready this will be another coming out party,” Herrera said.
Herrera vs. Gomez will be a scheduled ten round welterweight bout as this fight will take place on the Saul “Canelo” Alvarez vs. Amik “King” Khan pay per view card as this fight will look to steal the show.
“I plan on being myself and giving an exciting fight taking risk vs. Frankie Gomez, he will have his hands full,” Herrera said.
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