20.08.07 – By Scott Frake: Undefeated cruiserweight boxing prospect Yoan Pablo Hernandez (12-0, 7 KOs) destroyed Brazilian Daniel Bispo (19-8, 13 KOs) in the 1st round on Saturday night to capture the vacant WBA Fedelatin title at the Max Schmeling Halle, in Berlin, Germany. Hernandez, a 6’4” former 2004 Olympian for the Cuban team, knocked an overmatched Bispo down twice in the 1st round. After the 2nd knock down in which Hernandez landed two powerful body shots that sent Bispo to the canvas in agony clutching his midsection, the referee Klaus Griesel stopped the fight at 1:01 of the 1st round.
Hernandez, 22, a natural southpaw and considered one of the best prospects in the cruiserweight division, knocked Bispo down seconds into the fight after connecting with a left hook to the head followed by a chopping left. Bispo got up, looking stunned at having been sent down so quickly. After the action resumed, Hernandez landed a sweeping right hook-left hand combination causing Bispo to grab a hold of him to keep from falling again.
Hernandez then attempted a huge left hand which missed, but he quickly followed it up with a blinding left-right combination to Bispo’s midsection, sending him down to the canvas on his back where he then rolled around clutching his stomach. He made it to his knees but was still holding his midsection and grimacing in pain as the referee counted him out.
An interesting side note, Bispo, 33, had recently lost a 10-round unanimous decision to heavyweight knockout artist Corrie Sanders in May 2007. Whereas Sanders had been unable to take out Bispo, Hernandez made it look effortless.
Although it’s still probably to early to tell, from what I’ve seen of Hernandez, he appears to be the best of the cruiserweight prospects and a can’t-miss future champion. He has an impressive combination of size, power and speed, which would make him formidable opponent for any of the top cruiserweights. At this point, I’d rate him well above top cruiserweight contenders Matt Godfrey, Guillermo Jones, Marco Huck and David Haye. In fact, I think Hernandez would knock out each of them well before the distance. This guy is the real deal.