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Philippines, 18 May 2026 |
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RED-HOT CUBAN MIDDLEWEIGHT YOENLI HERNANDEZ: “I’M READY WILLING AND ABSOLUTELY ABLE TO FACE THE BIG NAMES IN MY DIVISION.” PhilBoxing.com Thu, 09 Oct 2025  HOLLYWOOD, FL. – October 8, 2025 – Rising Cuban middleweight star Yoenli Hernandez says he is ready for battle this Sunday, October 12, at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood in Hollywood, FL and ready for anyone in his division after that. Rated #1 by the WBA, as well as WBC #2, The Ring #4, and WBO #5, the top-rated Hernandez (8-0, 7 KOs) will face Mexican spoiler Carlos Mohamed Rodriguez (16-14-1, 7 KOs) of La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico in the 10-round main event of Kris Lawrence & The Heavyweight Factory’s eighth installment of the “Fists of Fury” boxing series. Tickets are on sale now and start at $98. All seats are reserved. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. Additional fees may apply. In an era of rising Cuban stars that includes David Morrell Jr., Andy Cruz and others, Hernández is looking to change the perception of Cuban fighters as risk-averse combatants. With knockout victories in seven of his eight pro bouts, Hernandez is one of the most exciting fighters to come out of the current wave of Cuban boxers looking to overtake the sport. Originally from Camaguey, Cuba, Hernandez had an outstanding amateur career, competing for the Cuban National Team internationally. He abandoned the Cuban delegation in May 2023 during a stopover in Panama, and is now living in Providence, Rhode Island. The undefeated Hernández competed at the 2021 AIBA World Boxing Championships, winning the gold medal at middleweight. After his first two pro fights took place in Mexico, Hernandez’s last six outings have come stateside. His last bout, in May of this year, saw him win the toughest test of his career to date, a shutout unanimous decision over established contender Kyrone Davis (then 19-3-1, 6 KOs). The formidable Davis is a stablemate of former Interim WBA Super Middleweight Champion Caleb Plant, but Hernandez had little trouble controlling him in a dominant performance. In addition to the experience gained under the bright lights of fight night, Hernandez has been buoyed by rounds spent sparring with former multi-weight, undisputed champion and future hall of famer Canelo Alvarez. During a break in final training preparations this week, the 28-year-old talked about his upcoming fight and his plans for taking over the 160-lb division in the very near future. Here’s what he had to say: What do you know about your opponent and why will you win this fight? I don’t really know much about him. I trust my team. They have watched some of his fights and I’m very confident that they have come up with the right game plan. Are you surprised by the speed of your rise in the professional ranks? I am very surprised at how fast I have risen up the ranks after my fight with Kyrone Davis. I am now at or near the top of all the ranking sanctioning bodies. How does it feel to be one of the fighters everyone is talking about as headed for big things? I’m very happy with all the recognition I have received from the boxing world. I’m ready, willing and absolutely able to face the big names in my division. Do you have a message for your Cuban fan who will be in attendance that day? To all my Cuban fans, thank you for all the support in my career from the amateurs to this moment. Do you think you’re ready for a world championship fight? This is a stay busy fight until those big names actually make a fight with me. I am ready for whoever has the belt in my division. Bring them on! In the night’s 10–round lightweight co-feature power-punching WBA #4- and WBC #13-ranked lightweight Armando Martinez Rabi (16-0, 15 KOs) will take on tough Mexican veteran Willmank Canonico Brito (13-8-2, 11 KOs). In another heavyweight special attraction, Gustavo “The Cuban Assassin” Trujillo (8-0, 7 KOs) of Miami via Morón, Ciego de Ávila, Cuba, will face the more experienced Juan Camilo Novoa (35-13-1, 32 KOs) of Coral Gables, Florida, for the WBO Latino Heavyweight Championship. In a significant eight-round heavyweight battle, 20-year-old promising local heavyweight prospect Lorenzo “Giant Killer” Medina (13-0, 11 KOS) of Hollywood, Florida, will take on once-beaten Jardae Anderson (9-1, 7 KOS) of Davenport, Iowa. Also scheduled for eight-round bouts are undefeated super lightweight Raynel Mederos (8-0, 2 KOs) of Santa Clara, Cuba, facing Isidro Curiel (11-5-1, 6 KOs) of Ciudad Madero, Tamaulipas, Mexico; plus super lightweight Aaron Aponte (12-3-1, 3 KOs) of Hialeah, Florida, doing battle against Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico’s Luis May (22-21-1, 8 KOs); and undefeated super featherweight Neslan “Pitbull” Machado (20-0, 9 KOs) of Miami, via Cuba, going against California-based veteran Diuhl Olguin (17-46-7, 10 KOs). In scheduled four-round supporting bouts, undefeated female super flyweight Evelyn Romo (2-0) of Jupiter, Florida, will face Cocoa Beach, Florida, Shawna Ormsby (0-4-1); super welterweight Andrew Garcia (1-0, 1 KO) of Sunrise, Florida, will look for his second career victory against pro debuting Dominicque McBride of Dallas; undefeated lightweight Miguel Rosario Paredes (3-0, 2 KOs) of Miami, will take on Kadhim Alkhazaali (0-2) of Woburn, Massachusetts; and Orlando middleweight Carlos Velez will make his pro debut against Brandon Trollinger (0-1) of North Charleston, South Carolina. Rounding out the action will be a light heavyweight four-rounder, featuring Elliot Sven Taylor (1-0) of Sunrise, Florida, taking on pro debuting Joaquin Lagree of West Palm Beach All bouts subject to change. On fight night, doors open at 3:30 pm and the actions starts at 4:00 pm. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood is located at 1 Seminole Way in Hollywood, FL. For more information, visit them online at visit them online at seminolehardrockhollywood.com or call (866) 502-7529.  |
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