Can Yoenli Hernandez find top gear if he gets a shot at a middleweight title?

Can Yoenli Hernandez find top gear if he gets a shot at a middleweight title? Yoenli Hernandez, a 29‑year‑old Cuban power puncher with an 11‑0 record and nine knockouts, faced Francisco Daniel Veron, a 27‑year‑old Argentine sporting a 17‑2‑1 slate and ten KOs, on the undercard of Rolando Romero’s WBA welterweight title defense against two‑weight champion Teofimo Lopez at T‑Mobile Arena. Hernandez secured a 99‑91, 98‑92, 95‑95 decision victory, though his speed and aggression were checked by Veron’s strength and craftsmanship. The win left Hernandez still without a polished finish, but his combination of velocity, size and explosiveness has earned him the No. 1 contender spot with both the WBA and WBO at middleweight. Erislandy Lara presently holds the WBA 160‑pound strap, while Denzel Bentley possesses the WBO middleweight belt. Other titleholders in the division include WBC titlist Carlos Adames of the Dominican Republic and IBF champion Aaron McKenna of Ireland, who captured his belt earlier this month. Speaking after the bout, Hernandez said, “This was a combat that gave maine invaluable experience,” Hernandez said. “I got the victory, and present I’m waiting for my large opportunity.” Also featured on the undercard, Gary Antonio Russell of Capital Heights, Maryland, a 33‑year‑old southpaw with a 22‑1 record and 13 KOs, claimed the WBA interim bantamweight title from Victor Santillan (16‑3, 7 KOs) by unanimous decision, the judges scoring 119‑108, 119‑108, 118‑109. Russell dropped Santillan in the twelfth round with a left hook that sparked the crowd, while the 31‑year‑old Dominican, residing in Las Vegas, clung to survive the final stanza. Russell commented, “The past circular I truly wanted to instrumentality it to him,” said Russell, whose brother, WBA ace lightweight champion Gary Antuanne was cheering him connected from ringside. “I felt similar I had taken each the different rounds clear. I wanted to decorativeness beardown and springiness the fans what they came to see.” Opening the pay‑per‑view undercard, Carlos Utria (15‑0, 11 KOs) defeated Israel Mercado (13‑2‑2, 7 KOs) in a split decision, the scorecards reading 97‑93, 96‑94, 94‑96. Utria and Mercado exchanged combinations throughout the fight, with Mercado drawing admiration for his guile and gumption. Mercado, a 22‑year‑old Colombian who weighed in eight‑tenths of a pound over the 140‑pound limit, remarked, “I thought I won the fight,” Mercado said. “I’ve been present galore times before. I’ve been connected the downside of decisions similar this. This combat meant a batch but we support moving forward.” The announcement by Jimmy Lennon Jr. was met with boos from the audience.