Cove High alum wins boxing title, excited about new opportunities | Copperas

Fighting for the vacant title, Herndon scored a seventh-round knockout against John Cortez at Gimnasio de la Corporation Technologica Superior in Cartagena, Colombia.

Cortez, who according to his bio, lives in Spain, was born in Cali, Colombia.

“If their guy landed a shot, they were screaming out the roof,” Herndon said of fighting Cortez on foreign soil. “It was definitely a hectic, tense environment.”

Though he may not have had many supporters at the fight, Herndon said he thrived in the environment and used it as motivation throughout the bout.

“I know they might be screaming when their guy luckily lands a good shot,” Herndon said. “When I’m landing a shot, their silence that I hear is everything. So it was more motivation to have them more silent.”

The title win pushes Herndon’s professional record to 21-4 with 14 knockouts.

It has also opened up other opportunities to fight on bigger stages.

Herndon said Tuesday that though no contracts have been signed, since the title fight, he has been offered spots in undercard bouts at prestigious venues such as the Madison Square Garden in New York City and the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

On Monday, while in town for Joe Lombardi’s celebration of life, Herndon said he met new football coach Tony Johnson, other assistants and toured the high school athletic department’s facilities.

Herndon spoke highly about Johnson and his staff.

“Instantly, as I met them, I loved their energy and the small things that they’re implementing now within the program — which small things matter — that they’re doing to get back to the winning ways,” Herndon said.

Playing for the great Jack Welch, the former defensive lineman said with the Bulldawgs, he was used to being on winning teams. The football program has struggled of late and the district hired Johnson a year ago to help right the ship.

Johnson has invited Herndon to speak to his football team sometime later. Herndon said the focus of that talk will be the other avenues outside of football.

“I’d let them know to just push and chase their dreams,” Herndon said. “Don’t let anybody ever deter you from that.”

Herndon found boxing somewhat by chance.

After graduating from Copperas Cove High School, Herndon went on to play football at Kilgore Junior College. With his sights set on playing at a Division I school — particularly with dreams of playing at Arkansas or Missouri — an injury in his sophomore year derailed those hopes.

Ultimately, Herndon ended up at Texas A&M-Kingsville, a Division II school….