Las Vegas, NV — After a year away from competition, Gianni “The Beast” Huerta is set to make his long-awaited return at Power Slap 15 on October 3rd in Las Vegas. He’ll step across the stage from William Schaucke in what promises to be a high-stakes clash in the 155-pound division.
Learning from the Past
Huerta’s first appearance in Power Slap came against Anthony DeFrank, a match that didn’t go his way. But the setback fueled a year of hard work and preparation.
“I’ve been training the whole year since my first match,” Huerta said. “My craft is better, my defense is on point, and I can’t wait to unleash what I’ve been working on.”
Scouting the Opponent
Schaucke, who entered Power Slap around the same time as Huerta, has already shown flashes of strength in his two bouts. Huerta respects his power but believes his own defense and preparation will be the deciding factors.
“He’s got a strong slap, but his defense can be questionable,” Huerta explained. “We’ll see how both of our defenses play out when we start trading.”
The Mental Edge
For Huerta, the biggest evolution has come in his mentality.
“The first thing I worked on was my mindset. I overcame how I felt in the first match,” he said. “This time, I feel more confident, more hyped up, more excited. I’ve been off for a whole year, and now I’ve got to seize this opportunity.”
Looking back, Huerta admits he made mistakes against DeFrank.
“I didn’t really place my hand properly on his face. I was too nice, gave him courtesy. This time, I’m going to feel that chin and hit exactly where I want to. If I was on point last time, maybe I could have ended it in the first round. But you learn from mistakes and get better.”
Ready to Put on a Show
Fans didn’t see the full potential of “The Beast” in his debut, but Huerta promises a different performance this time.
“This time, you’re going to see me put on a show. I’m twice, ten times more prepared than ever. I’m going to show why they call me ‘The Beast.’ The Beast is going to be unleashed.”
Seizing the Second Chance
Huerta admits he wasn’t sure he’d get another opportunity, but being ranked in the top 10 after his debut gave him hope.
“I felt like they still had something in for me. If I’m ranked in the top 10, there’s a reason my name is there. Now that I have a second chance, I’ve got to prove it,” he said. “This is a big spot for me to move up the rankings.”
And this time, he’s aiming for a highlight-reel finish.
“I feel like I can deliver a viral knockout. The power is there, the technique is there. This time I’m not going to miss. If I go first, I’m getting it done in one.”
Message for Schaucke
To his opponent, Huerta had one final message:
“Schaucke, I’m ready to put on a war with you. I know you’re prepared, I’m prepared — let’s see who can knock who out.”