A Triumph of Perseverance: Eduardo ‘Rocky’ Hernandez Claims Victory
WBA Continental Americas Super Featherweight champion Eduardo ‘Rocky’ Hernandez demonstrated his resilience and skill in a grueling 12-round bout against former WBC FECARBOX Super Featherweight champion Rene ‘El Bravo’ Tellez Giron. The action-packed fight took place on Friday night at the Hilton Lac Leamy in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada, in front of an enthusiastic crowd. Hernandez, boasting a record of 37-2 with 32 knockouts, secured a unanimous decision win, with scores of 119-109, 120-108, and 120-108. The victory was a testament to his strategic prowess and ability to withstand the relentless pressure from Giron, who had a record of 20-5 with 13 knockouts.
Round-by-Round Combat
From the opening bell, Hernandez set the tone with his precise left hooks, scoring points against Giron’s head and body. The second round saw both fighters engage in a spirited exchange, with Hernandez maintaining a slight edge. As the fight progressed, the fourth round turned into a slugfest, with both men exchanging powerful blows. Giron showed his determination in the fifth and sixth rounds, pinning Hernandez against the ropes and landing significant shots. However, Hernandez’s resilience was evident when he drew blood from Giron’s nose in the seventh round, and both fighters continued to land cleanly. The final stretch, from the ninth to the eleventh rounds, was a back-and-forth battle, with Hernandez often finding himself against the ropes but managing to drive Giron back with his potent punches. The twelfth and final round saw an unrelenting exchange of punches, with the crowd supporting the fighters’ efforts. Referee Albert Padulo, Jr. managed the bout, ensuring a fair and competitive match, though the scores seemed to favor Hernandez more than the action warranted.
Alexix ‘The Great’ Barriere’s Return
In the co-feature event, Canadian heavyweight champion Alexix ‘The Great’ Barriere made a triumphant return to the ring after a 16-month hiatus. Barriere, a southpaw with a perfect 12-0 record and 10 knockouts, faced Ubaldo ‘Baldo’ Ilagor Resendiz, who had a record of 13-2 with 12 knockouts. The southpaw’s return was marked by a knockout at the end of the sixth round in a scheduled 10-round contest. Barriere drew blood from Resendiz’s nose in the second round, setting a tone of aggression. Despite a wild attack from Resendiz in the third round, Barriere managed to land a solid left on Resendiz’s chin. The fifth round saw a brief moment of controversy when a punch from Resendiz sent Barriere’s glove to the canvas, but referee Martin Forest did not rule it a knockdown. Barriere’s dominance was undeniable in the sixth round, as he first dropped Resendiz with a left uppercut and then again with a combination of punches, prompting Resendiz’s corner to call a halt to the fight.
Derek ‘Slick’ Pomerleau’s Dominance
Middleweight southpaw Derek ‘Slick’ Pomerleau continued his unbeaten streak with a stoppage of Nathan ‘The Matrix’ McIntosh in the sixth round of a scheduled eight-round bout. Pomerleau, with a record of 11-0 and 9 knockouts, outlanded McIntosh, a late substitute with a record of 14-4-1 and 1 knockout, in the first four rounds. The decisive moment came in the sixth round when Pomerleau dropped McIntosh with a left uppercut to the body, earning an 8-count from referee Albert Padulo, Jr. A minute later, Pomerleau landed a combination that sent McIntosh to the canvas again, and Padulo, Jr. called the fight, securing Pomerleau’s victory at 2:50 of the sixth round.
A Foul-Filled Battle: Jelena Mrdjenovich’s Victory
In a highly contentious match, former WBA Featherweight champion Jelena Mrdjenovich, 44-12-1 with 19 knockouts, defeated Jessica ‘Bulldozer’ Bellusci, 6-4 with 2 knockouts, by unanimous decision in an eight-round bout. The fight was marred by numerous fouls, with both fighters engaging in excessive clinching and hitting behind the head. Mrdjenovich took the first three rounds with her precision and control, but Bellusci had the edge in the wrestling exchanges in rounds four and five. Despite the foul tactics, Mrdjenovich regained her composure in the sixth and seventh rounds, landing clean punches before falling back into clinches. In the eighth and final round, the 42-year-old champion looked like the clear winner, further cementing her reputation as a tough competitor. Referee Robert Bender oversaw the bout, and the scores were 79-73, 80-72, and 80-72, all in favor of Mrdjenovich.
Rising Stars at Super Lightweight and Super Welterweight
Super Lightweight southpaw Lee Reeves, 13-1 with 8 knockouts, made quick work of Szabolcs Szabota, 2-1, stopping him in the first round of a scheduled four-round fight. Reeves’ dominance was evident from the outset, as he swiftly overpowered his opponent. Similarly, Super Welterweight prospect James Hughes, 3-0 with 2 knockouts, demonstrated his growing prowess by stopping Alexis Heredia, 0-1, in the third round of a scheduled four-round bout. Hughes’ performance showcased his potential as a rising star in the division, with his ability to land precise and powerful punches leading to the early stoppage.
The Night’s Impact
The Hilton Lac Leamy in Gatineau, Quebec, was the perfect setting for these electrifying bouts. The ring announcer, Chris Gauhier, set the stage with his charismatic introductions, while the referees ensured fair play despite the intensity of the fights. Eduardo ‘Rocky’
