(JAN 20, 2009) World Champion Emiko Raika of Japan, came to New York recently to train with World Champion and boxing trainer Melissa Hernandez, at Gleason’s Gym. [Raika returned to Japan, and will be there until after her upcoming fight takes place in February.]
Raika (left) Belinda Laracuente (Center) Melissa Hernandez (right)
Hernandez told WBAN, “Training Raika was a great experience. I’ve been watching Raika fight since she got in with Chevelle Hallback; watched her when she fought Laracuente; then went into camp with Jelena Mrdjenovich to get her ready for her face off with Raika; and then trained Saccurato for her two fights with Raika. So in lack of better words, I know Raika inside out. I could train anyone to fight Raika. So when I asked to work with Raika, and the she said yes, I knew something special was going to happen. I trained Raika like I would any champion—harder then most men in the gym. Raika is a go getter. She is so great to work with even though I don’t speak Japanese nor her English. But the language of boxing is world wide. Raika loved the training and now she’s a part of my growing stable bestfemboxers.”Hernandez said, “I can’t wait to get Raika back in the gym and have her under my banner of world champions I’ve trained. I wish I could get all the female talent in boxing and train everyone. I love my job inside and outside the ring. This is why I believe I’ am womyn’s [women’s] boxing.”
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