"I’m well rested and ready to break some ribs."

BoxingTalk:  Carlos, you obviously read recently what Manuel Medina had to say about you on BoxingTalk, and a possible fight with you in the near future.  What are your thoughts about what he had to say?

Carlos Hernandez:  I know he wants a named fighter, and I’m here to accommodate him.  I’m not here for an easy fighter, and he’s a named fighter.  As a five time world champion, Medina is a legend in our own time.  I don’t think he gets the credit he deserves because of his style, but you have to respect him for what he’s done in this sport.  As far as what he said about me, after this fight is through, this fight will be his last fight.  I’ll train hard so that I retire him.  I want to do him that favor.

BoxingTalk:  Is there anything on your part that would keep this fight from happening?

Carlos Hernandez:  No.  I want to fight this guy.  I’ve had a good restful year to recharge my battery, but I’m ready to get back in the ring now.  I’m anxious to hit somebody with my gloves and get my hands raised.  I’ll fight Medina, but I’ll destroy whoever I get in front of me.

BoxingTalk:  What do you feel about facing the five-time world champion Manuel Medina?

Carlos Hernandez:  If this fight happens, believe me, it will be a good win for me. Look at what he has done in boxing.  Not just anybody wins five championships.  It’s incredible, and that is just more incentive for me to beat this guy.

BoxingTalk:  What do you feel would be your biggest advantage in the ring when facing Medina?

Carlos Hernandez:  The rest I’ve had over the past year.  I’m well rested and ready to break some ribs.

BoxingTalk:  Medina mentioned that his biggest advantage in facing you would be his movement inside the ring.  What would you do to take away that part of Medina’s game plan?

Carlos Hernandez:  He knows I’m a fighter, the kind of guy who looks for a fight.  I’ll chop him down like a tree.  I’ll stay on top of him from bell to bell, and he won’t be able to hold up to my pressure.  I’ll be nonstop.

BoxingTalk:  Medina said he’d be ready to go in a month to a month and a half.  When would you be ready?

Carlos Hernandez:  I’d be ready to two to three months.  I don’t want to be rushed.  I feel like fighting tomorrow, but I want to be well prepared, and if I’m going to fight Medina then I’ll prepare the best I can.

BoxingTalk:  What do you feel a win against Medina would do for your career?

Carlos Hernandez:  He’s a five-time world champion.  He’s a living legend from Mexico who is highly ranked in the world.  Beating him would have to put me in the rankings to fight a champion like David Diaz or Joel Casamayor.

BoxingTalk:  What message would you like to give Medina about his possible match-up?

Carlos Hernandez:  I’m going to do you the favor of retiring you.  You’ve been a good role model, but it’s time to say goodnight.

BoxingTalk:  I know you’ve been working with Jesse James Leija in his gym in San Antonio.  If this fight happens with Medina, would Leija train you and would he be in your corner that night?

Carlos Hernandez:  Yes.  I’d have him train me, and he would be in the corner that night.  We’re working really well together in the gym, and since we have the same philosophy about training and in our fights, I know I’d be successful against any opponent I face.

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