No Time to Waste for Riverside Welterweight Mauricio Herrera

Few prizefighters faced a sink or swim career like Mauricio Herrera who began fighting for money at the late age of 27.

Herrera (pictured in the blue trunks) never fought the easy marks or the sure thing opponents to pad the record and gain minimal ring experience. It was always do or die.

From the very first step into the prize ring he fought the feared ones and never looked back.

Herrera, now 36, returns to face yet another dangerous welterweight in Mexico’s Pablo Cano (29-5-1, 21 KOs) on Friday Nov. 18, at Fantasy Springs Casino. Estrella TV and RingTVLive.com will show the Golden Boy Promotions fight card.

“I’m anxious to get back in the ring,” said Herrera (22-6, 7 KOs). “My last fight was not my best.”

The Riverside, California boxer was beaten by fellow welterweight contender Frankie “The Pitbull” Gomez in their showdown in Las Vegas this past May. Though never hurt or damaged, the fighter known as “El Maestro” readily admitted the judges got it right.

“For me it was the first time in my mind that I lost,” said Herrera. “Frankie is a very good fighter and I can’t take anything away from him. He beat me that day.”

Herrera has been in numerous battles against top tier super lightweights and welterweights including several world champions. But the lack of power always seemed to give judges a reason to score against the slick fighting Southern Californian.

Losses by decision were always debatable and open for ridicule; none worse than when he lost to Danny “Swift” Garcia in Puerto Rico back in 2014. Even today many fans call Herrera the uncrowned champion.

That loss did open up the eyes of Golden Boy Promotions who came knocking on his door and eventually signed the boxer. He was eventually matched against Jose Benavidez and though a nationwide television audience and full house at a Las Vegas venue all saw Herrera as the winner after 12 rounds, the judges somehow did not.

Victimized yet again Herrera moves on.

Once again he faces a hard-punching no-nonsense type of fighter in Cano. The Mexican fighter from Zaragoza hungers for another world title shot. Twice he fell just short against fellow Mexican Erik “El Terrible” Morales and against Brooklyn’s Paul “Magic Man” Malignaggi. Both were masters of hit and move tactics. That’s not Herrera’s style. He’s more of a slip and hit kind of boxer a la James Toney. It’s a primary reason that fans love to see the Riverside prizefighter and are willing to drive 100 miles at a moment’s notice.

“I’m at the point where I look for the right dancing partner and fight a style that no matter who wins, the fans win in the end,” says Herrera. “Cano is not easy. He’s had some really tough fights with guys that are up there like Paulie (Malignaggi) and Sugar Shane (Mosley).”

Yet another do or die fight for both Herrera and Cano.

Fans who like action are guaranteed to see top flight action with this pair of upper tier welterweights. Herrera has fought many of the best such as Ruslan Provodnikov, Mike Alvarado, Mike Anchondo and Henry Lundy. Mexico’s Cano has traded blows with Shane Mosley, Ashley Theopane and Silverio Ortiz to name a few.

This fight spells “entertaining” in capital letters. It’s guaranteed to be a memorable fight.

“I don’t want easy fights,” said Herrera. “I don’t have time for that.”

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