Yoan Pablo Hernandez

Biography

Yoan Pablo Hernandez, known as "Iron Man" in the ring, was a formidable force in the cruiserweight division during his professional career, which lasted from 2005 to 2020. Hernandez, who was born on October 28, 1984, in Pinar del Rio, Cuba, began his boxing journey with a stellar amateur career, including a silver medal at the 2003 Pan American Games and an appearance at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Hernandez made his professional debut on September 3, 2005, at the Internationales Congress Centrum in Berlin, Germany, stopping David Vicena in the second round. This victory marked the beginning of an impressive run that would see him become a world champion. As his career progressed, Hernandez showcased his southpaw stance and impressive 77.2-inch reach to great effect, establishing himself as a technical boxer with knockout power.

The Cuban-born fighter's career reached its pinnacle when he captured the IBF and Ring magazine cruiserweight titles. His most notable fights came against Steve Cunningham, whom he defeated twice in 2011 and 2012 to claim and retain these prestigious belts. Hernandez's reign as champion included successful defences against Troy Ross, Aleksandr Alekseyev, and Firat Arslan, solidifying his status as one of the top cruiserweights of his era.

Despite his success, Hernandez's career was not without challenges. He suffered his first professional loss in 2008 to Wayne Braithwaite in a bout for the WBA Fedelatin and WBC Latino cruiserweight titles. This setback proved to be a learning experience, as Hernandez went on to win his next 15 fights, including his world title victories.

Hernandez's final professional bout came on August 22, 2020, in Magdeburg, Germany, where he faced heavyweight Kevin Johnson. In a surprising turn of events, Hernandez was stopped in the seventh round, bringing his career to a close with a record of 29 wins (14 by knockout), 2 losses, and 0 draws. This final fight, coming after a six-year hiatus, was a heavyweight contest that proved to be a bridge too far for the former cruiserweight champion.

Throughout his career, Hernandez, who resided in Stendal, Germany, became a fan favourite for his technical skills and power. Standing 6'4", he learned how to use his height advantage effectively. His journey from Cuban amateur standout to professional world champion in Germany is an uplifting tale of believing in one's abilities and sheer hard work and resolve.