Eduardo "Rocky" Hernandez (37-2, 32 KOs) couldn't believe that he let a world title win slip through his fingers a few years ago. Tonight went a long way in putting those demons to rest.
In the main event slot at the Hilton Lac Leamy Gatineau, in Quebec, Canada on Friday night, Hernandez picked up arguably the biggest win of his career against Rene Tellez Giron (20-5, 13 KOs) via unanimous decision.
From the beginning, it was your typical all-action slugfest. Both men walked to the center of the ring during that opening round and attempted to hold their ground. Although both had success, Hernandez's hand speed and power was obvious.
During the second, Hernandez bounced on his toes and let off a smooth jab, landing whenever he wanted. Giron didn't have many answers but he did attempt to push the pace. That was short-lived thanks to a few well-placed shots to the midsection. In the following frame, Hernandez went back to the body, forcing Giron to cover up on the ropes.
To his credit, the pain that was etched onto his face was wiped away as Giron bit down on his mouthpiece and continued to fight. If he wanted, Hernandez could have played his game but he jumped in and out slyly while making his man before subsequently, making him pay.
The middle rounds turned into an all-out war. They stood forehead to forehead in the center of the ring and wanted to prove to one another that they were the tougher man. The Canadian crowd appreciated their efforts but Giron began to wilt due to his hard and debilitating shots.
As things got tough in the latter rounds, Giron appeared to be all out of answers. Hernandez, on the other hand, was just getting started. He upped his attack in the ninth and upped his combination punches. Yet, no matter how many times his head snapped back, Giron continued to fight.
The championship rounds were far more kind to Giron as he found his second wind but it was simply too little, too late. Once the final bell rang, both men embraced but it was Hernandez who left a happy man. All three judges sitting ringside scored it similarly, 119-109, and two scores of 120-108, all in favor of Hernandez.
In the co-main event, Alexis Barriere (12-0, 10 KOs) shook off a year-plus-long layoff to brutally stop Ubaldo Ilagor Resendiz (13-2, 12 KOs) at the end of the 6th.
Watching him on the night, you couldn't tell that the heavyweight prospect had been out of the ring for 504 days. With his career back on track, he's hoping to remain far more active.