Bay Area Bomber

Karim Mayfield vs. Mauricio Herrera

This fight was supposed to be a showcase for talented bay area prospect Karim Mayfield, and that's exactly what it was.  With Mayfield know as "Hard Hitta" and Herrera a fighter who just did battle with Mike Alvarado this promised to be a war in the ring.  Although fight fans didn't get a true war they did get a good exciting fight.

From the start it was clear that Mayfield was the much more athletic fighter, but also far less experienced.  This is because Mayfield grew up playing football throughout high school and had his grades allowed it would have continued into college.  It is easy to see he hasn't been in the sport long as he mostly has to rely on his athleticism to win fights.  At times he looked very awkward and had a difficult time timeing his opponent and finding the proper distance to throw punches from.  But when Mayfield did connect he showed people why they call him "Hard Hitta."

On the other hand Herrera showed himself to be a tough experienced fighter.  He started off strong moving in and out and tieing up Mayfield when he needed to.  His only problem was that he just doesn't have much punching power which means he has to rely soley on his jab and footwork.  But for his lack of punching power he makes up for it by taking a hell of a punch.  Mayfield should have dropped him many times as he constantly landed an overhand right perfectly on the chin, but Herrera never even buckled.  Herrera may have landed more punches but Mayfield landed the bigger more affective shots.  Unfortunatley Herrera seems to be nothing more than a very tough stepping stone for young fighters to test themselves against, but should have a nice long career at that.

When the fight ended Herrera's faced looked swollen but he acted as if he thought he won.  It was a very close fight and hard to score depending on what you value more, a busier fighter, or a guy landing bigger punches.  In the end the judges correctly gave the fight to Mayfield.  What's up next for Mayfield is anyones guess but he seems to have a very vocal fan base and one the best trainers in the sport in Virgil Hunter who also trains bay area product Andre Ward.  Although he may never win a title or even compete for one fans should still tune in when he's in the ring.  This man truely is a "Hard Hitta."