Hernandez beats Cunningham again

By Karl Freitag
Photo: Photo Wende

In an IBF-mandated rematch, IBF cruiserweight champion Yoan Pablo Hernandez (26-1, 13 KOs) won a twelve round unanimous decision over Steve “U.S.S.” Cunningham (24-4, 12 KOs) on Saturday night at the Fraport Arena in Frankfurt, Germany. After winning the first three rounds with his body attack, Hernandez dropped Cunningham twice in round four. Cunningham barely survived the round, but recovered well in round five and used his quickness to outbox Hernandez for much of the rest of the fight, but Hernandez closed strong staggering Cunningham in the last round. Scores were 116-110, 116-110, 115-111.

The rematch was ordered after the stoppage in Hernandez’ favor by ring doctor Walter Wagner in the first fight was deemed inappropriate. This time Hernandez didn’t need the doctor’s help.

In a late night walkout bout, unbeaten cruiserweight Mateusz Masternak (25-0, 19 KOs) scored a fourth round TKO over Michael Simms (22-16-2, 14 KOs). Time was 1:16. Masternak is rated WBO #6, WBA #9, IBF #10, WBC #11.

Heavy-handed former interim world title challenger Alexander Alekseev (23-2, 20 KOs) pounded out a twelve round unanimous decision over Enad Licina (21-4, 11 KOs) to claim the vacant EBU cruiserweight belt. Scores were 118-110, 116-112, 118-112.

In a clash of former world title challengers, European light heavyweight titleholder Eduard Gutknecht (23-1, 9 KOs) outboxed Vyacheslav Uzelkov (25-2, 16 KOs) over twelve rounds to retain his title by scores of 115-114, 116-112 and 117-111.

Former cruiserweight title challenger and former Contender: Season 4 winner Troy Ross (25-2, 16 KOs) lumbered to an uninspiring eight round nod over journeyman Lukasz Rusiewicz (10-12, 3 KOs). Ross won by scores of 80-72, 80-72, 79-74.

Unbeaten cruiserweight David Graf (6-0, 5 KOs) went the distance for the first time in outpointing Paul Morris (4-6-2, 2 KOs) over six.

February 4th, 2012

For all the latest boxing news, click here.