Trainer Rudy Hernandez wants to see WBO flyweight titleholder Anthony Olascuaga improve after his last performance.
Olascuaga won a close unanimous decision over Hiroto Kyoguchi at Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan, on March 13. The win was the second defense of his title.
Olascuaga, 9-1 (6 KOs), recorded a highlight-reel knockout of Riku Kano to win the title in July. It came in only his eighth professional fight. Two fights before, he challenged Kenshiro Teraji for the WBC junior flyweight title. He lost via knockout.
A lot has happened in his 10-fight professional career of the 26-year-old Olascuaga, who trains in Los Angeles. Hernandez shared his insight on his fighter’s most recent performance.
“Anthony has his moments, and sometimes he overthinks things,” Hernandez said. “I need him to be better. He has the talent. He has the skills, but sometimes the skills and the intelligence don’t click together. They are off.”
Olascuaga didn’t have a deep amateur pedigree with vast international experience, but turned professional after defeating the Olympic favorite Michael Angeletti in the first round of the 2020 Olympic Trials.
Olascuaga found himself in the title picture in six professional fights based on the lack of depth in his weight class and his performances. He was champion by his eighth.
“Also, he lacks experience, which plays a bit of a role,” Hernandez said. “But that is no excuse when you are a world champion. That is what I told him.”
The unsung aspect of Olascuaga’s run is that nothing was handed to him. He took a fight with Teraji on short notice. His highlight-reel knockout of Kano was one of the best of last year, though it went under the radar as it happened in Japan. Though televised in the U.S., it didn’t get the same attention as the knockouts that occurred in primetime that year.
Hernandez emphasized his high character while praising Olascuaga’s willingness to jump into the deep end of the division.
“Everything and anything he has ever gotten, he has earned,” Hernandez said. “Nobody has given it to him.”
