13 years ago
Yoan Pablo Hernandez vs Steve Cunningham II
Date: 4th February 2012
Venue: Fraport Arena, Frankfurt, GermanyTitle: IBF World Cruiserweight Title
Promoter: Sauerland Events
Referee: Eddie Cotton
Yoan Pablo Hernandez
(
25
-
1
-
0
)
Weight: 198½ lbs
Steve Cunningham
(
24
-
3
-
0
)
Weight: 197½ lbs
On February 4, 2012, the Fraport Arena in Frankfurt, Germany, played host to a highly anticipated rematch for the IBF World Cruiserweight title between champion Yoan Pablo Hernandez and former titleholder Steve Cunningham. The bout also had the vacant The Ring Magazine World Cruiserweight Title at stake, adding extra prestige to the encounter.
Hernandez, the German-based Cuban southpaw, entered the ring with a record of 25-1-0, while Philadelphia's Cunningham boasted a 24-3-0 ledger. The fight was a direct sequel to their controversial first meeting just four months prior, where Hernandez had claimed Cunningham's IBF belt via a disputed 6th-round technical decision.
From the opening bell, Hernandez demonstrated why he was the champion, utilizing his southpaw stance significantly. The fourth round proved pivotal as Hernandez scored two knockdowns against Cunningham, a feat that would ultimately play a significant role in the final outcome. Despite these setbacks, Cunningham, true to his reputation as a gritty competitor, rallied in the latter rounds to keep the fight competitive.
As the bout progressed, Cunningham's resilience and experience came to the fore, but Hernandez's early dominance and more effective punching kept him in control. The champion's ability to maintain his composure and stick to his game plan throughout the 12 rounds was evident, even as Cunningham pressed forward in search of the knockout he needed.
When the final bell rang, there was little doubt about the victor. The judges' scorecards reflected Hernandez's superiority, with Massimiliano Bianco scoring 115-111, while Alejandro Lopez Cid and Pasquale Procopio had 116-110 in favour of the champion. With this victory, Hernandez retained his IBF World Cruiserweight title and added The Ring Magazine belt to his collection.
For Cunningham, the loss marked a second consecutive defeat to Hernandez and dashed his hopes of becoming a three-time IBF cruiserweight champion. The Philadelphia native's gutsy performance did nothing to diminish his standing as one of the division's most respected fighters.
Yoan Pablo Hernandez vs Steve Cunningham 2 on YouTube
