THE RESULT: Eduardo “Rocky” Hernandez scored a seventh-round TKO over Daniel Lugo in Aguascalientes, Mexico. The bout was stopped at 2-17 of the seventh, scheduled for 12 rounds. Lugo misplaced for the primary time since 2021.
KEY MOMENTS: Boxing together with his palms too low, Hernandez was damage in spherical three. Lugo motored ahead and the group began to really feel that one other underdog story was unfolding.
Hernandez stopped making an attempt to field and tucked up, providing Lugo inside for a struggle. That technique paid off in spherical 5 as Lugo’s nostril dripped with blood.
Hernandez put his foot down in spherical seven, touchdown a strong uppercut that staggered Lugo who was on the top of relentless punishment earlier than the referee mercifully jumped in.
RECORDS: Hernandez pushes his slate to 35-2 (32 KOs), whereas Lugo returns to the drafting board at 27-3-1 (18 KOs).
TALKING POINTS: Hernandez wanted to bounce again strongly from the frustration of a last-round KO to O’Shaquie Foster. He did simply that. Getting nearer to a world title alternative, Hernandez had his eyes on the prize as he proposed to his associate after the bout.
Lugo punched his method to prominence by grabbing a shock 10-round draw with Mauricio Lara in February. Hernandez put him again in his place right here whereas additionally stealing the credibility from Lugo’s Lara show.
QUOTABLE: “We knew that when two Mexicans get into the ring, it’s an all-out struggle,” stated Hernandez, who referenced the Foster expertise as a optimistic.
“I would like that world title shot. O’Shaquie Foster, Joe Cordina, Oscar Valdez, I would like you to know that Rocky Hernandez is prepared for you!”
“It did shock me how laborious he hit,” stated Lugo, who did his popularity as a stable B-side opponent no hurt in any respect.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT: Commentator Corey Erdman precisely described Hernandez as among the best tv fighters on the scene. Ranked extremely by the WBC, Hernandez was introduced as the brand new WBA super-featherweight Latin American champion. The WBA king is Lamont Roach Jr, who defends his title in opposition to Eire’s Feargal McCrory on June 28.
One factor Lugo might be credited for is the comparatively fast turnaround after drawing with Lara in mid-February. This means he will likely be able to go once more quickly moderately than wallowing within the distress of defeat.
SUPPORTING CAST: Erika Cruz Hernandez fought to a 10-round draw in opposition to Nazarena Romero. Cruz’s WBA super-bantamweight title was on the road.
Randy Leon nearly held on to his unbeaten skilled report by scraping out a controversial majority draw in opposition to Misael Cabrera, who seemed to be the deserved winner.
Criztec Bazaldua maintained his unbeaten report with a six-round factors win over Luis Fernando Ruiz by unanimous choice.
Leonardo Rubalcava moved to 7-0 after Roberto Nevarez was withdrawn earlier than the fourth spherical with a badly broken proper eye.
