Hard-hitting Junior Lightweight Jon “Jonfer” Fernandez will travel from Spain to the Firelake Arena in Shawnee, Oklahoma to headline the latest installment of the popular Showtime series, “ShoBox: The New Generation.”
Making his third appearance on ShoBox and his fourth time fighting in the United States, Fernández (16-0, 14 knockouts) takes on his what may be his most difficult opponent to date in Houston’s O’Shaquie Foster (13-2, 8 KOs) as the main event on the televised quadrupleheader.
“I feel very motivated and energized for this fight,” said Fernández Round By Round Boxing through an interpreter. “I’m ready for this fight after a long camp and to give the fans what they want.”
The 23-year-old Fernández produced early stoppages in all but two bouts since being discovered at a club show in Madrid by former world champion Sergio Martinez who partners with his former promoter Lou DiBella to co-promote Fernández and attempt to guide the young fighter to a world title.
“It’s been over a year since last time Jon fought in the United States and I’ve seen him mature as a person and as a boxer,” said Martinez during fight week. “He’s been in three very difficult fights, he knocked out a Panamanian Olympian and won the WBC Silver belt. He’s now ranked in the top 10 at Super Featherweight by the WBC.”
This will be Fernández third appearance this year after fighting four times in 2017. While Fernández enjoys fighting in front of friends and family back home he also realizes the opportunities in the United States are limitless.
“The first and major difference between fighting in the U.S and in Spain is the amount of support and attention boxing receives in the United States,” said Fernández. “Fighting on television is so important to reach fans and in Spain the fights are not televised as much.”
Fernández credits Martinez with keeping him grounded through the process while also keeping him motivated and excited.
“Sergio always tells me to enjoy every experience and every fight,” recalls Fernández. “He told me not to focus on winning a world title now but instead to enjoy the journey. He said in the end it will be the journey and the experiences that I will remember most.”
Martinez might be telling Fernández to allow the opportunities to come to him, but the Spanish legend also wears his promoter’s hat when talking about what the future holds for his young student.
“With every fight, JonFer is a step closer to an opportunity to showcase his talent on the big stage,” said Martinez. “I think 2019 will be the year where we see him in a big fight against another top 10 opponent or challenging for a title.”
Fernández said while it’s easy to fall into the trap of looking past opponents he is strictly setting his sights on Foster.
“This is a tough opponent for me,” said Fernández. “Foster moves very well and has power in both hands so I need to be the best version of myself Friday night if I want to win.”
Header photo by Showtime Boxing
