Mexican Adrian Hernandez (28-2-1, 17) did as he was expected on Saturday night as he defeated, and stopped, Japanese fighter Atsushi Kakutani (13-4-1, 6) in a defence of the WBC Light Flyweight title.
Hernandez, who was defending the belt for the third time this year was in unexpected trouble in the opening round when he was dropped though he showed the Mexican fighting spiriting by getting back to his feet and battling back hard in what turned out to be a very entertaining contest.
The fight had some highlight real exchanges in rounds 2 and 3 and it was obvious that one man or the other was going to be stopped sooner or later.
The beginning of the end occurred early in round 4 as Kakutani was sent to the canvas. The Japanese warrior managed to recover to his feet but his legs never looked like they were with him and he was sent down again and then again before the referee was forced to intervene calling a half to the bout just 72 seconds in to round 4.
With Kakutani managing to drop Hernandez it could well be that the champion is all but done at the 108lb limit, a limit that his body just seems too big for. If Ohashi can drag Hernandez over to Japan there is every chance that Noaya Inoue could well face him in what would be Inoue's 5th pro bout and on this performance I wouldn't bet against Inoue
Showing posts with label Adrian Hernandez. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Adrian Hernandez. Show all posts
Saturday, 31 August 2013
Sunday, 12 May 2013
Adrian Hernandez v Yader Cardoza
WBC Light Flyweight Adrian Hernandez (27-2-1, 16) successfully defended his world title this past weekend as he over-came Nicaraguan challenger Yader Cardoza (15-5, 5) who put up a tougher than expected bout.
The highly regarded Mexican challenger was expected to destroy his unheralded Nicaraguan challenger, in fact the odds offered in various places were between 1/20 and 1/25 though it was a huge surprise that Nicaraguan came to fight.
Hernandez's class and experience did shine through at times though he certainly didn't look at his best and this wasn't helped by the fact he had a grotesque swelling around his left eye that really did swell shut through the fight. It's certainly this swelling that will be the lasting impression of the bout and it could well see him kept out of the ring for some time.
Hernandez, although looking a long way from his best probably got a wake up call of sorts and should feel very lucky he wasn't in there with Roman Gonzalez or Kazuto Ioka who would likely both have forced a stoppage against him.
The highly regarded Mexican challenger was expected to destroy his unheralded Nicaraguan challenger, in fact the odds offered in various places were between 1/20 and 1/25 though it was a huge surprise that Nicaraguan came to fight.
Hernandez's class and experience did shine through at times though he certainly didn't look at his best and this wasn't helped by the fact he had a grotesque swelling around his left eye that really did swell shut through the fight. It's certainly this swelling that will be the lasting impression of the bout and it could well see him kept out of the ring for some time.
Hernandez, although looking a long way from his best probably got a wake up call of sorts and should feel very lucky he wasn't in there with Roman Gonzalez or Kazuto Ioka who would likely both have forced a stoppage against him.
Tuesday, 15 January 2013
Adrian Hernandez v Dirceu Cabarca
WBC Light Flyweight champion Adrian Hernandez (26-2-1, 16) made the first world title defense of the year as he took a routine decision victory over undeserving challenger Dirceu Cabarca (13-7, 5) of Panama.
The Panamanian challenger, fighting for the first time in a bout scheduled to go beyond 8 rounds, had very little success as Hernandez, a skilled fighter himself really looked in cruise control from the off, despite a minor worry in round 6.
Hernandez started the bout well and appeared to want an early night as he ramped up the pressure in a number of the early rounds, though after Cabarca withstood the early onslaught Hernandez soon seemed content on just having a work out, giving some rounds away as a result of what looked more and more like a public sparring session.
With the Light Flyweight division expected to change dramatically in 2013 (with Roman Gonzalez expected to move to Flyweight being the most notable change) it's nice to see Hernandez on the board already for the year (especially with it being just 2 months since he defeated Kompayak Porpramook for the title), though we do expect tougher opponents later this year.
For me Light Flyweight is one of the most interesting divisions in the sport with the likes of Hernandez, Kazuto Ioka, Donnie Nietes, John Riel Casimero, Raul Garcia, Roman Gonzalez (if he remains at the the weight), Paipharob Kokietgym and Juan Francisco Estrada so fighters like Cabarca really shouldn't be seen in the title picture again.
The Panamanian challenger, fighting for the first time in a bout scheduled to go beyond 8 rounds, had very little success as Hernandez, a skilled fighter himself really looked in cruise control from the off, despite a minor worry in round 6.
Hernandez started the bout well and appeared to want an early night as he ramped up the pressure in a number of the early rounds, though after Cabarca withstood the early onslaught Hernandez soon seemed content on just having a work out, giving some rounds away as a result of what looked more and more like a public sparring session.
With the Light Flyweight division expected to change dramatically in 2013 (with Roman Gonzalez expected to move to Flyweight being the most notable change) it's nice to see Hernandez on the board already for the year (especially with it being just 2 months since he defeated Kompayak Porpramook for the title), though we do expect tougher opponents later this year.
For me Light Flyweight is one of the most interesting divisions in the sport with the likes of Hernandez, Kazuto Ioka, Donnie Nietes, John Riel Casimero, Raul Garcia, Roman Gonzalez (if he remains at the the weight), Paipharob Kokietgym and Juan Francisco Estrada so fighters like Cabarca really shouldn't be seen in the title picture again.
Monday, 8 October 2012
Kompayak Porpramook v Adrian Hernandez II
Mexican Adrian Hernandez (25-2-1, 16) regained the WBC Light Flyweight title as he exacted revenge from Thai Kompayak Porpramook (46-4, 31) in a rematch of one of 2011's fight of the year contenders.
When the two men first met back in December 2011 Porpramook managed to stop Hernandez in a 10 round war in Thailand. The then challenger simply broke down the then champion to claim the title and end Hernandez's first reign after just 1 successful defense. This time around however the roles were reversed, the champion, Porpramook, was the visitor to the challengers homeland, and like in the first bout, the champion would be stopped.
The bout started very fast with neither man really feeling the need to feel out the other and from the off it looked like we were in for another very enjoyable war between two genuine warriors who gave their all in their first bout. Through out much of the round Hernandez attempted to control the distance with his hard jab though up close appeared more than willing to go punch-for-punch with the Thai.
The second round followed the same pattern of the opening round with Hernandez trying to control the distance but not too bothered if Porpramook was able to get up close in a trade off. The fights first major talking point was in round 3 as Hernandez's powerful blows started to take their effect on Porpramook with the Thai being wobbled before being dropped late in the round. Hernandez went hell for leather at the end of the round and whilst he failed to stop Porpramook he had done some notable damage before slipping himself. After the bell to end the round both men continued to trade with each other several seconds as the crowd went wild.
At the start of the fourth round an accidental headclash bizarrely so both men deducted a point (at least that's what the referee seemed to indicate). After the clash of heads Porpramook had arguably his best round as he tried to make up for the fact he was dropped in the previous round. Hernandez however fought back well and fight fans were treated to one of the rounds of the year as both guys went at each other hard with a huge variety of shots.
In the fifth round Hernandez seemed to start grinding down Porpramook landing numberous hurtful body shots as well as hurtful head shots forcing Porpramook to fight much of the round off the ropes and appearing to shake him hard at the end of the round. The following round Hernandez dropped Porpramook against the ropes very early on after a series of hard shots. Despite rising on wobbly legs Porpramook appeared clear headed after the 8 count however the referee, controversially, waved an early end to the bout declaring the Thai in no fit state to continue.
The stoppage it's self seemed really poor, especially after their first bout, however Porpramook had been hurt in the previous round and Hernandez was starting to really come on strong. Hopefully the controversial ending will allow us to see a third bout, hopefully in a neutral venue such as Las Vegas and hopefully give both fighters a chance to not only be seen by a wider audience but also collect a pay day they deserve.
When the two men first met back in December 2011 Porpramook managed to stop Hernandez in a 10 round war in Thailand. The then challenger simply broke down the then champion to claim the title and end Hernandez's first reign after just 1 successful defense. This time around however the roles were reversed, the champion, Porpramook, was the visitor to the challengers homeland, and like in the first bout, the champion would be stopped.
The bout started very fast with neither man really feeling the need to feel out the other and from the off it looked like we were in for another very enjoyable war between two genuine warriors who gave their all in their first bout. Through out much of the round Hernandez attempted to control the distance with his hard jab though up close appeared more than willing to go punch-for-punch with the Thai.
The second round followed the same pattern of the opening round with Hernandez trying to control the distance but not too bothered if Porpramook was able to get up close in a trade off. The fights first major talking point was in round 3 as Hernandez's powerful blows started to take their effect on Porpramook with the Thai being wobbled before being dropped late in the round. Hernandez went hell for leather at the end of the round and whilst he failed to stop Porpramook he had done some notable damage before slipping himself. After the bell to end the round both men continued to trade with each other several seconds as the crowd went wild.
At the start of the fourth round an accidental headclash bizarrely so both men deducted a point (at least that's what the referee seemed to indicate). After the clash of heads Porpramook had arguably his best round as he tried to make up for the fact he was dropped in the previous round. Hernandez however fought back well and fight fans were treated to one of the rounds of the year as both guys went at each other hard with a huge variety of shots.
In the fifth round Hernandez seemed to start grinding down Porpramook landing numberous hurtful body shots as well as hurtful head shots forcing Porpramook to fight much of the round off the ropes and appearing to shake him hard at the end of the round. The following round Hernandez dropped Porpramook against the ropes very early on after a series of hard shots. Despite rising on wobbly legs Porpramook appeared clear headed after the 8 count however the referee, controversially, waved an early end to the bout declaring the Thai in no fit state to continue.
The stoppage it's self seemed really poor, especially after their first bout, however Porpramook had been hurt in the previous round and Hernandez was starting to really come on strong. Hopefully the controversial ending will allow us to see a third bout, hopefully in a neutral venue such as Las Vegas and hopefully give both fighters a chance to not only be seen by a wider audience but also collect a pay day they deserve.
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