Hernández in CONCACAF U-17

By Vida en el Valle
(Published Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008 08:51AM)

Porterville's Amber Hernández is one of México's national team players who will compete this week in the semifinals of the CONCACAF U-17 competition in Trinidad and Tobago.

Hernández, a 14-year-old defender from the South Valley Chivas Academy in Porterville, is hailed by women's head Leonardo Cuéllar and has been traveling to México City for practices.

Clovis High School' Anisa Guajardo, a 17-year-old midfielder, was also selected to represent El Tri in the eight-team competition that include Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Canada, El Salvador, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica and the United States.

México defeated Puerto Rico 4-0 last Saturday in Group B play. In a previous match, México beat Jamaica, 6-0.

Alina Garcíamendez and Charlyn Corral each hit for two goals against Puerto Rico. Corral hit her second goal near the end of the match off a penalty kick.

México's next match is against Canada on July 21.

The U.S. national team won 6-0 over Puerto Rico and 9-0 over El Salvador. The U.S. plays host Trinidad and Tobago July 22.

Diaz in MMA event

STOCKTON -- Nick Diaz will have the hometown crowd at his back when he takes on former champion Thomas Denny in the CBS EliteXC mixed martial arts bouts Saturday (July 26) at the Stockton Arena.

Diaz enters the cage witha 17-7-0 professional fighting record. He has gained five submissions and nine victories by knockout.

Antonio 'Big Foot' Silva faces Justin Eilers for the EliteXC heavyweight title, then in the main event Robbie Lawler takes on Scott Smith for the middleweight championship bout.

Analyst Frank Juárez Shamrock will call the televised bouts alongside Mauro Ranallo and Gus Johnson for Showtime.

"I know he'll (Nick Diaz) have a lot of support over there in Stockton. He's the crowd favorite, but the girls steal the show because it's a different energy, very captivating," said Shamrock.

Female competitors Shayna Baszler and Cristiane Cyborg are among the additions on the fight card.

World championship boxing at Table Mountain Casino

FRIANT -- Raúl 'The Cobra' Martínez will face Isidro García IBA Jr. bantamweight bout Friday (July 25) at Table Mountain Casino.

Martínez of San Antonio, Texas enters with a perfect record of 22-0 while García of Guerrero, México holds a 25-4 record.

García comes off a unanimous decision victory over César Ricardo Martínez of México City at the Coliseo Olímpico in Guadalajara, Jalisco, México last February.

Martínez defeated Benjamín García at the Municipal Auditorium in Harlingen, Texas, also in February.

An array of undercard bouts is also scheduled.

Doors open at 6 p.m. and fights start at 7.

Tickets: $55 V.I.P.; $45 Gold; $35 Reserved; $25 General; $5 discount with Club Card; $10 discount with Platinum Card

Note: No refunds, video or cameras and must be 18 years and older to attend.