Q & A: Melissa Hernandez

BY: Dr. Pietro Baio

Melissa Hernandez Interview

DB-What's your opinion on Holly's Style and defense?

MH- If you can call what Holly has a style. Well, she is a master of her craft. She runs around the ring wasting time and running in full force to knock her opponent of balance. She's very good at this but I wouldn't call it a style. More like a rabbit running through your legs to jump in its hole. Defense for her is coming in shape for every fight. I give her that- she's always in shape.

DB-Holly is going to be the biggest and tallest opponent of your career. Who are you sparring with to prepare you for this fight?

MH-As a pro yes she will be the tallest but not in my boxing career. In my 1st fight as an amateur I fought Jill Emery in the finals of the NY Golden Gloves. Jill is about 5'9 and southpaw. So I'm using her and other guys in my gym- the famed Gleason's in Brooklyn. I'm also have Jill as one of my trainers.

DB- This fight will mean a step up in weight. How are you preparing for the weight gain?

MH-I have always walked around 145 between fights. So the weight gain won't be a problem.

DB-Will you be increasing your protein intake or supplementing with protein shakes?

MH-I won't be drinking any shake or taking any supplements. I'm very old school when it comes to my boxing diet. I eat whatever I like when I fight in the higher weight classes. Such as pasta ,rice, beans of course, chicken and steak. When I fight in the lower classes I eat plenty of greens and just chicken. But what I'm doing different for this fight in my diet is adding rabbit as my final feast (lol).

DB-Are you looking to pack on muscles?

MH-I am defonitely trying to pack on muscles and not just fat. I want to be strong for this fight. Holly has fought up to 154 so I believe she can take a punch.

DB- Are you using a strength and conditioning coach to aid in packing on lean muscle?

MH-I'm kinda using my other head coaches son as my strength coach. Delen Parsley Jr. is an up coming middleweight boxer. He's been training me on getting stronger through weight training and all around making sure I don't slack off and sneak out to the bar. Lol!!

For my conditioning I'm already running and doing all I can in NYC but as of November 17 I'm moving my camp to Denver where the real conditioning comes in. They don't call it mile high for nothing.

DB-How much time are you dedicating to muscle gains?

MH-I've been training for about 3 weeks in weight training giving about 5 hours a week to just muscle gain.

DB-Are you concentrating on mass building exercises like the squat, dead lift and bench press?

MH-That exactly what I'm doing for this fight.

DB-Are you using any other techniques to gain mass?

MH-Not really. I want to maintain my speed and being lighter will help come fight night.

DB-Do you feel the added weight will slow you down? Or will you stay your current weight to keep your speed and agility?

MH-Yes I believe adding to much weight will slow me down. I made the mistake before when I went up to 135. Making that weight made me sloppy so I'm trying to stay small. Holly will think there's 5 Huracan's in the ring with her. Come December 4 I'm going to be what I always say I am... I'm womyn's boxing and win, lose or draw the world will see why I'm the best.

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