"Fearless" Fernando Hernandez

Current record 18-8-2 (8 KOs)

Junior Middleweight

Stance: Southpaw

Birth date: 7-7-69

Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois

Trainer: Sam Colonna

Born the youngest of 13 children (four siblings and eight half-siblings), “Fearless” Fernando Hernandez was a fighter before he ever entered the ring.

Orphaned in adolescence (his mother died giving birth to him; his father tragically passed away when Fernando was 12), it wasn’t long before Fernando turned to gangs and drugs to act as his surrogate family. Then, at the tender age of 16, Fernando got the news he was going to be a father.

“Although overwhelmed and shocked from being just a kid myself when my first child was born, something inside me woke up. I surely didn't want my child going through anything like what I went through. From the instant I saw that child; I realized I had the chance to become the father that was taken from me too soon.”

Several years after struggling to survive being a young parent in the tough Chicago inner-city streets, Fernando - considered a late bloomer in the sport of boxing at age 23 - decided to attempt to fulfill his boyhood dreams of becoming a boxing champion like his then favorite, Muhammad Ali. He met with Kevin“Superkick” McClinton and took up boxing. Like many fighters, he found solace when he began training.

“I found peace in the ring, focus and goals. I really needed that. Although Kevin specialized in kickboxing, he was an awesome boxer who made me feel like my dreams weren’t so far away.”

Soon after it all began, Kevin died an untimely death and Fernando – dealing with the death of yet another person close to him - gave up fighting for a few years of soul searching. In 1997, he met Sam Colonna; coach at Chicago’s famed Windy City Gym. Colonna then rapidly coached Fernando all the way to a Golden Gloves Championship in the open middleweight division in early 1998.

After a brief but successful amateur career (20-1), Fernando – now with a few children to support – decided to turn pro in the summer of 1998. With a successful undefeated start, he went to 12-0 before suffering his first loss. He then decided to take fights overseas in an unprepared, controversial fashion in 2001 – 2003. (“What can I say?” he says in response. “I needed the money.”) Fernando eventually garnered both the Illinois state Junior Middleweight Championship and N.A.B.A Super Welterweight titles.

Also outside the ring, Fernando has worked as a bodyguard and fitness instructor and has personally trained renowned celebrities, in addition to having appeared in a few music videos and an independent film.

“My life’s been a fight ever since I came into this world,” Fernando says. The lessons he’s learned both in and out of the ring make him a formidable opponent. “I have learned greatly from all my losses and I have come to embody the phrase, ‘What does not kill you only makes you stronger.’ It has given me the fearlessness to make something of myself.”

Rooted in faith, Fernando eagerly looks toward the future – a world championship, further work in the entertainment industry and possibly even preaching. “Without God’s grace, I don’t think any of what my future holds can be possible.”