Yoenli Hernandez shows range in boxing skills, but also vulnerability in decision win

The undefeated Cuban showed he’s more than a knockout artist in switching stances and using calculated lunging into the pocket with punching bursts to dominate Argentinian fighter Francisco Veron toward a majority decision victory Saturday night. Judges inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada scored the fight 95-95, 98-92, 99-91 for Hernandez, though it should have been a unanimous decision in his favor. Nonetheless, the win came in the co-feature spot to the Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero vs. Teofimo Lopez Jr. main card headliner, drawing more eyes to 'El Diablo.'

Atypical to the technical prowess Cuban boxers are known for, Hernandez once again relied on his power, but needed to incorporate some of his sweet science tactics to have his hand raised after 10 rounds. As much as Hernandez did to soundly win, he also showed some of his vulnerabilities as Veron was able to detonate a check left hook to stumble the Cuban in a near knockdown during the fifth round. Still, Hernandez more than recovered to continue to take the fight to Veron behind a steady flow of accurate, pouncing punches.

With the win, Hernandez once again strengthens his case toward a world title opportunity in a middleweight division that touts Erislandy Lara, Carlos Adames, Aaron McKenna and Denzel Bentley as its world champions, and one that gained plenty of intrigue this weekend.

Earlier on Saturday night in London, George Liddard stopped Dario Morello and called for a crack against Bentley. In addition, while Hernandez was operating against Veron, DAZN’s Chris Mannix announced former super welterweight champ Xander Zayas' plans to jump into the middleweight division, beginning with a fight in February.

In 2026 alone, Hernandez has now demolished his way past Terrell Gausha in March, followed by the win over Veron on Saturday night.