22 years ago

Date: 1st February 2003

Venue: Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada

Title: vacant IBF World Super-featherweight Title

Promoter: Top Rank

Referee: Tony Weeks

Tv: HBO PPV

Carlos Hernandez
( 37 - 3 - 1 )
Weight: 129½ lbs

David Santos
( 42 - 5 - 0 )
Weight: 128½ lbs

On February 1, 2003, Carlos Hernandez faced David Santos at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas for the vacant IBF World Super Featherweight Title. The event, promoted by Top Rank and televised on HBO PPV, saw Hernandez enter the ring with a record of 37 wins, 3 losses, and 1 draw, while Santos came in with a record of 42 wins and 5 losses. Hernandez weighed in at 129½ lbs, slightly heavier than Santos at 128½ lbs.

The bout was competitive but came to an early conclusion due to an accidental head butt in the eighth round. The clash caused a significant cut on Santos, leading referee Tony Weeks to halt the fight at 2:52 of the round. Following the stoppage, the fight went to the scorecards for a technical decision. Judges Bill Graham, Robert Ferrara, and Robert Hoyle scored the bout 78-73, 77-74, and 77-74 respectively, all in favor of Hernandez, who was then declared the winner and new IBF World Super Featherweight Champion.