O’Shaquie Foster retained his WBC super featherweight title in his first defence, as he came from well-behind on the cards to halt Eduardo ‘Rocky’ Hernandez in the final round of their meeting in a war in Cancun, Mexico, which was streamed live on DAZN.
Foster had won the title back in February, as he clearly outscored the previously unbeaten Rey Vargas, while Hernandez had won six on the spin since a first round knockout defeat to Roger Gutierrez in 2019. Therefore, Foster vs Hernandez was a fight between two men full of confidence.
This one was a real battle, and few foresaw the conclusion, with Hernandez (34-2, 31KOs) showing skill and technique in racking up a healthy lead on the scorecards after eight rounds. In fact, the Mexican had won all eight rounds on one card, and held a 78-73 advantage on the remaining two, but he decided to ease down in rounds nine and ten, allowing Texas-based Foster (21-2, 11KOs) back into the argument as he pushed forward and connected with more regularity than previously seen in the contest.
The penultimate frame saw a round of the year contender, as Foster turned the tide by hurting Hernandez, and he then piled the pressure on, only for the home favourite to fire back with interest, hammering away at Foster even though he was on unsteady legs as the crowd lapped the action up. Both went for broke in the last round, but the previous stanza had taken its toll on Hernandez, who was floored by a right hand, and although he beat the count, his legs were betraying him as he was over again, and a follow-up assault forced the referee’s intervention.
Undercard review:
Just as predicted, Eduardo Nunez (25-1, 25 KOs) closed in on a world title shot, as he wiped out former world champion Oscar Escandon (27-7, 18KOs) in the second round of their super featherweight meeting. Nunez uncorked a massive raking right hand that decked Escandon heavily, and he was in no position to continue.
Credit: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom
Justis Huni (8-0, 4KOs) claimed the vacant WBA International heavyweight title, as he widely outscored Andrew Tabiti (20-2, 16 KOs) over ten rounds. Huni was adjudged the winner by scores of 100-90 and 98-92 (twice).
