National spotlight provides a fighting chance

There's an understanding of what can happen when cameras from a national television network descend upon a venue: futures can be made.

That's the case tonight when ESPN2's "Friday Night Fights" sets up shop at A La Carte Pavilion for Ker's WingHouse Fight Night 6.

This is the eighth time since 2000 that "Friday Night Fights" has come to Tampa, but it's the first visit since 2007. The first fight is scheduled for 8 p.m.

"ESPN2 and other national broadcasts coming to this area is fundamental to kids like Charlie Serrano or Daniel Lozano or Jose Alonzo," said Aaron Jacobs, a co-founder of Fight Night Promotions, which is working in conjunction with Warriors Boxing.

"All these kids who are in this area, who have a ton of talent, for them to transition and make the next step to the world stage, without ESPN2 and other networks like that bridging the gap, it's very hard for these talented fighters to make that transition from a local-level fighter to a world-class prospect who can challenge for a title like Edner (Cherry) has and like Nate (Campbell) has."

ESPN2 will air the welterweight fight between Yudel Jhonson (10-0, 7 KOs) and Jose Miguel Torres (21-4, 19 KOs), and the co-main bout between light-welterweights Tyrese Hendrix (20-2-1, 9 KOs) and Walter Estrada (38-14-1, 25 KOs).

Meanwhile, the bout between Serrano (11-2-1, 2 KOs) and Steven Johnson (7-2, 4 KOs), and the fight between Manny Woods (6-1, 3 KOs) vs. Justin Williams (2-2-1, 1 KO) will serve as swing bouts.

"They're already motivated, but then when you throw a camera in front of them, that camera is basically saying, 'The better you look, the better chance you have of coming back on this network or another network that saw you,' " said Shea Bailey, a co-founder of Fight Night Promotions. "I think that motivates them a lot."

As exciting as the prospect of getting face time on a nationally televised fight card is for Serrano, he said some of that exhilaration must be controlled.

"Sometimes you can't go in there just to impress somebody," said Serrano, who holds the USA Florida State featherweight belt. "We trained in the gym very hard and just go in there and do our work. Hopefully get a unanimous decision or a knockout victory.

"Just work on the things we worked on in the gym and bring a 'W' home."

Longtime trainer Teddy Atlas, the "Friday Night Fights" ringside analyst since 1998, understands the role ESPN can play in a fighter's career. He has watched many boxers in their early stages, including the late Diego Corrales, who became a featherweight and lightweight champion.

"You're aware that you're watching someone at the formative part of their career," Atlas said. "They're at a stage where … you're starting to find out if they can be more than just a prospect. If they can be more than another guy who looks like he has a certain amount of talent. Can they put it together past the next level? Can they handle all the things that come with that responsibility?"

edaniels@tampatrib.com

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