By Danny Winterbottom
In an IBF mandated rematch, that sanctioning body’s cruiserweight champion Yoan Pablo Hernandez (26-1) held onto his title with a lopsided point’s victory over American veteran Steve Cunningham (24-4) at the Fraport Arena in Frankfurt Germany, Saturday February 5.
In a close and gruelling affair the champion was declared the victor via extremely wide looking scores of 116-110, 116-110 and 115-112.
The fight started with both men feeling out the other. Cunningham worked his jab to both head and body in an attempt to keep the champion guessing whilst Hernandez scored well to the body from his southpaw stance.
The second round saw Hernandez mix in a left hook to the head as Cunningham looked to establish his jab
Round three and Cunningham began to find his rhythm, but he was lingering in close allowing Hernandez to catch him on the way out. The champion almost ended proceedings in the fourth when he caught Cunningham with a beautiful left cross at the end of an exchange. The punch sent Cunningham down for the count of eight, and was in serious trouble when the fight resumed. Using all his guile and experience Cunningham rushed the champion but was caught coming in with another short left hand, dropping him to his knees. He managed to survive the last 30 seconds of the round as Hernandez punched himself out looking for the finish.
The pattern of the fight changed in round five as Cunningham caught Hernandez with a counter right hook that staggered the rangy southpaw. The champion, having put so much effort into the previous rounds, was beginning to tire as a result of loading up on his punches but he fought back well opening a cut over Cunningham’s right eye.
The challenger from Philadelphia controlled the pace of the fight there in as Hernandez struggled to land anything effective in the middle rounds.
The eleventh saw Hernandez get a second wind as he had success in spots with his left cross and uppercut but again Cunningham gave the impression he was forcing the fight.
The twelfth and final round was perhaps the best for action as both men went for the win. Hernandez hurt Cunningham with a short left and a right hook to the body, staggering him momentarily. Cunningham fought back valiantly and stopped the champion in his tracks with a big right hand after Hernandez punched himself out going for the win.
Both men raised their arms in victory at the bell but it was Hernandez who retained his title and moved closer to a possible match with Marko Huck.
European light heavyweight champion Eduard Gutknecht (23-1) took a unanimous decision over former world title challenger Vyacheslav Uzelkov (25-2). Scores were 115-114, 116-112 and 117-111 all in favour of the champion.
Troy Ross (25-2) took an eight round decision over Polish club fighter Lukasz Rusiewicz (10-12) in his first fight back after a lengthy lay off. Scores were 80-72, 80-72 and 79-73
