Nico Hernandez ready to put his challenger ‘out of commission’

In a release sent out by KO Night Boxing to promote Saturday night’s boxing match between Nico Hernandez and Jose Rodriguez, the challenger proclaimed he was coming to Park City’s Hartman Arena to knock out the Olympic bronze medalist in front of his home crowd.

Hernandez hasn’t forgotten. Not that he could, as his trainer, Kenny Pedigo, has made sure to remind him the last three weeks.

“I’ve been putting fliers on (Hernandez’s) car every morning with this guy’s face on it, texting him every morning reminding him,” Pedigo said. “I printed out pictures and have guys holding them up when he walks in and out of the gym. I don’t want him to forget how he disrespected us.”

That perceived disrespect bubbled up on Friday night at the official weigh-in in front of approximately 100 fans gathered outside of Mort’s Cigar Bar, as the two fighters had a heated exchange during the face-off and had to be separated.

The six-round flyweight fight on Saturday night will be broadcast live on CBS Sports Network beginning at 9 p.m.

“I’m ready to put this dude out of commission,” Hernandez said. “I’ve been seeing his face everywhere. I’m tired of it. I’m just ready to send this dude home.”

So what was said between the two?

“He said something to me that I didn’t like, so I just said something back,” Rodriguez said through an interpreter.

Amid boos from a strong Hernandez (1-0, 1 KO) contingent, Rodriguez (2-0, 2 KOs) wasn’t backing down from his proclamation the night before the fight.

“The fight is not going to last six rounds,” Rodriguez. “I’m going to stop him before.”

“I just hope he’s ready to back up everything he’s been saying in these interviews,” Hernandez said. “I guess we are going to see tomorrow night.”

This story was originally published June 16, 2017 at 7:48 PM with the headline "Nico Hernandez ready to put his challenger ‘out of commission’."