Photo: Jadier Herrera / X
I made it my mission to find you one future world champion per month, in May 2024. Here we are already in January 2025, and I wanted to start the year strong by introducing you to the formidable pride of Cuba, Jadier Herrera (16-0, 14 KOs).
My only regret, although my first 8 prospects were all wise choices, is not having told you about Herrera sooner.
He is a must-see, and I will explain why.
Montreal legend
Now that I have the pleasure of working at Punching Grace with my godfather and idol, Réjean Tremblay, I am more and more interested in his career.
The columnist covered his first Olympic Games in 1976 in Montreal. He told me about a Cuban boxer, Ángel Herrera, who beat five opponents to win gold in the 57 kg category. Herrera’s performance, which knocked out Richard Nowakowski in the second round, is still fresh in his memory.
For the record, Herrera also won the world championships in 1978 and the 1980 Olympic Games in the 60 kg category.
Photo: The Fight Site
Migration to the Emirates
Christian Mbilli and Dzmitry Asanau, both with Eye of the Tiger, chose to live and train – outside of training camps – in Dubai. Many boxers go into exile in this city in the United Arab Emirates for its climate and luxury shopping.
It’s current, so all that to say that Jadier Herrera made the same choice.
One of the coaches who looks after the professional boxers there is Joe McNally, known for having coached Josh Taylor and Liam Smith, as well as boxing against James DeGale.
Photo: WBC
Camagüey’s pride
Herrera is a 22-year-old boxer from Camagüey, Cuba, who fell in love with boxing after watching tapes of his grandfather.
As is often the case with Cuban boxers, there is little to be found from his amateur career; he left his country, settled in Dubai and turned professional in July 2021.
As the grandson of Ángel Herrera, he literally has boxing and the Cuban style in his blood. His style is modelled on that of the Cubans, emphasizing footwork and movement. Each punch is carefully chosen; it is precise, hits hard and each blow has an impact, even through the television screen.
As a bonus, he’s 5-foot-11 for his weight division, and to top it all off, he’s a southpaw.
Photo: WBA
Read it again in March
What stands out most about him is his surgical approach to attack.
He’s signed to Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren. His trainer is Joe McNally, and if you pay attention, you’ll see that Russ Anber is Herrera’s cutman in his fights.
Ranked 15th in the WBA at 135 pounds, his next fight is on the undercard of the Nick Ball vs. TJ Doheny event at the Echo Arena in Liverpool on March 15. His opponent is still to be determined, but Herrera is already in Boxrec’s top 20, so it should be serious business.
Author’s Prediction
He’s so adept at hitting and disappearing on the counterattack, he doesn’t waste punches and moves very well in the ring. Also, at 5 feet 11 inches, he will eventually gain weight and move up a category. He could therefore become world champion in several weight categories.
Photo: Swing Completo
In the podcast
– Réjean Tremblay, now a featured columnist at Punching Grace, has covered 16 Olympic Games.
– 266 boxers from 54 different countries took part in the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games.
– Canada boycotted the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow to protest the USSR’s invasion of Afghanistan.
2024 Edition
