Raika recently in New York to Train with Hernandez

(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.”