Photo by Will Hart

By Rich Mancuso

Mauricio Herrera knows how to rebound from a loss.  The 36-year old Mexican-American, residing in Riverside California two years ago lost a controversial decision to then junior welterweight champion Danny Garcia. The next fight, Herrera bounced back and scored a majority decision over Johan Perez for an interim title.

So, the veteran does not sit and call it a day, or a career. There is plenty of fight left in him and Golden Boy Promotions has the welterweight back in the ring November 18th in a 10-round bout against Pablo Cesar Cano, another former junior welterweight holder of a title.  

The knock on Herrera has been that inactivity. However, the welterweight division does present a challenge with Garcia, Keith Thurman and Daniel Jacobs holding major titles in the division. Cano, also will be looking to bounce back on the Golden Boy promoted card from the Fantasy Resort Casino in Indio California that will be televised on Estrella TV.

So this is not a different territory for Herrera, 22-6 with 7 Ko’s. He has been here before after losing all 10-rounds to Frankie Gomez in May on the Canelo Alvarez-Amir Khan undercard that was televised on HBO Pay-Per-View.

“My career could potentially be on the line here,” said Herrera last week. “”My last fight was a wake-up call and now being put to the test at facing Cano, I know I have a lot on the line. He is going to to do what he usually does,”   

Herrera is aware that Cano, a fellow Mexican can bring it all in the ring. So when he says this fight could be career defining there is every reason to understand what could be in store if there is another loss.

But Mauricio Herrera has always accepted the consequences and those who are around him are aware that there is always a fight and never that ounce of quit.  He battled the critics and was the underdog in his fight with Garcia that many said he won, and one judge had it even at the Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez Arena in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.

“I fought a bunch of good fights, good styles,” Herrera said. “I feel strong after my last few fights. I am getting older but I am getting ready and set to go.”  

Though there is that sense of urgency with the last fight not one that was impressive, and consistency with winning has been rare after the Garcia loss. There is confidence, as there always is with Herrera who has wins over former champion Rusian Provodnikov and Hank Lundy.

The 26-year old Cano, 29-5-1, 21 K0s, lost a 10-round split decision to Alan Sanchez in early May and a rebound fight could also be important to his future. Though, he has age on his side and realizes that Herrera, with good ability to corner an opponent, presents that challenge and potential stoppage.

“I know this is a very crucial bout for my career,” he said, “and is a career defining moment.”

The Garcia fight was a true test. Herrera has been seeking the return bout that never transpired but it was a lesson learned for a fighter. There were others stepping in line for Garcia’s title and Herrera continued to stay sharp and never duck an opponent with hopes of getting another title opportunity.

This time, he is not an underdog and neither is Cano. The intent is not going to the scorecards even though this is not enemy territory and Herrera will have a contingent of fans that will be nearby.

Before the Garcia fight, Herrera said, “If I am not deserving of an opportunity to fight Danny, then who is?”  Garcia will be watching as he preps for his hometown fight next month in Philadelphia because there is always a potential for that rematch.

But for now, Mauricio Herrera has one goal. Another win and a good bounce back performance has to come. He is aware, as  does the boxing world because there are others waiting for those big fights in a hotly contested welterweight division.

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