“That’s not the limit. I want more at lightweight,” Herrera said through a translator. “I feel great. I came from nothing. This is one dream.”
Herrera joined the British promoter in May 2024 and has since achieved four stoppages, although his activity has slowed in 2025 with only one fight prior to this assignment. The bout was originally signed for the undercard of Joseph Parker vs Fabio Wardley in October, making the short build-up period a test in itself.
Coach Joe McNally was pleased with the response after a shaky start.
“We put a lot of work into his hand positioning,” McNally said. “He shut down for a second and paid for it, but he showed character. He got up, reset and took over.”
The right hand that left Herrera in the lurch was only the second takedown of his career, but it wasn’t brushed aside within the fight. He admitted the early surprise forced adjustments.
“It surprised me, but I wasn’t hurt,” Herrera said. “I knew I had to change things up in the fourth and fifth. More jabs. More feints. More pressure.”
That mix of vulnerability and aggression makes Herrera an easy watch in a lightweight class already full of young names like Abdullah Mason and Floyd Schofield.
He is still a work in progress, but the strength and temperament is evident. With steadier activity and a gradual rise in opponent level, Herrera looks close to forcing his way into The Ring top ten, whether a full world title follows or not.
