Yoan Pablo Hernandez vs. Kevin Johnson - August 22, 2020

[Ruthless-RKO]

By Per Ake Persson

Former IBF cruiserweight champion Yoan Pablo Hernandez (29-1) is coming back, writes BILD, after over six years of being away from the ring. Hernandez will return as to campaign at heavyweight and will be promoted by SES. No dates have been announced.

Hernandez announced his retirement in September of 2015 but had already spent a year sidelined with a series of injuries after beating Firat Arslan on a controversial split decision.

Yoan Pablo was stripped of the IBF title in October of 2015 as he was unable to go through with a mandatory defence against Argentinian Victor Emilio Ramirez.

Hernandez hails from Cuba but defected to Germany and turned pro with Sauerland Event and proved to be an excellent talent - but also one who used to ran out of gas and he had big problems against the likes of Michael Simms winning a split decision in an eight rounder.

In the first fight against Steve "USS" Cunningham he appeared to be rescued by the ringside physician, who stopped "USS" Cunningham due to a cut eye and it went to the scorecards... Yoan Pablo won - but was fading. However in the rematch - ordered by the IBF -Hernandez put it together and was a clear winner even if he fought with an injured hand.

Hernandez has remained in boxing as a trainer and at the age of 35 he should have something left.

[Ruthless-RKO]

He has probably missed prime years although he has some good wins before he retired..

Was it a back problem he had?

He probably just fight in Germany as a HW against the Lewandowski’s etc.

[Ruthless-RKO]

In mid-July, for the first time since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, a boxing gala was staged under the motto 'Summer Open-Air.' The card was put together by SES Boxing, in front of spectators with a special permit from the Magdeburg Health Department.

SES promoter Ulf Steinforth stated: “After the great restart in July, where we did so much right, we are setting the next high point on the floating stage. With the three main fights we can offer great boxing again - and again with spectators. I'm looking forward to Yoan Pablo Hernandez's comeback. He is a great boxer whose sporting history has not yet ended. Since he is now really fit again, he has nothing to lose on this return - now in the heavyweight division. He can just win."

Former IBF cruiserweight world champion Yoan Pablo Hernandez is now running in the heavyweight division. And veteran Kevin Johnson, who was tested in many title fights, is his opponent. The fight is set down for August 22 in Magdeburg.

After almost exactly six years, Hernandez wants to return to the public eye - and starts his now well-respected comeback in cooperation with SES Boxing, in the heavyweight division.

The 35-year-old Hernandez has no issue with testing his skills against someone like Johnson (34-17-1, 18 KOs), who has been tried and tested in many title fights and whose list of opponents reads like the "who's who" of boxing: Vitali Klitschko, Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, Andy Ruiz Jr., Kubrat Pulev, Derek Chisora ??and also Mariusz Wach. Johnson has rarely been stopped within the distance.

Hernandez stated: “I still had that little spark in me - my boxing story wasn't over yet. Boxing was and is my life, I am as fit and healthy as never before - so I can really look forward to this fight. And, I no longer have to suffer as much in the heavyweight division, no longer have to put on weight. Kevin Johnson is a more experienced man - the right opponent for my comeback."

From Boxing Scene

[margaret thatcher]

Yoan Pablo Hernandez

Now that seems kinda random

[Ruthless-RKO]

Yoan Pablo Hernandez

Now that seems kinda random

Hernandez vs. Huck.. makes sense.. in Germany.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fight Week

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Former cruiserweight titlist Yoan Pablo Hernandez is making a comeback at heavyweight



Former IBF cruiserweight titleholder Yoan Pablo Hernandez will make a surprise return to boxing, up at heavyweight, against long-time trialhorse Kevin Johnson at the Seebühne Elbauenpark, Magdeburg, Germany, live on MDR (10.30 p.m./ CET).

Hernandez is keen to shed some ring rust and test his skills against the usually durable American.

Johnson is a “very experienced boxer,” Hernandez told The Ring. “He has fought all the big names and I think [Anthony] Joshua is the only one who stopped him inside the distance. Vitali Klitschko, (Tyson) Fury, (Dereck) Chisora, Andy Ruiz Jr., Kubrat Pulev and Mariusz Wach, none of them finished him before the final bell.

“He is a journeyman, but this guy is tough enough to be a stepping stone for my first fight in my comeback to see how I will be at heavyweight.”

Hernandez decided to retire from boxing as the reigning IBF cruiserweight titleholder due to several long-standing injuries in 2014.

The next chapter in his life saw the Cuban-born fighter move his family to Stendal in the German region of Saxony-Anhalt. During his time there his family settled and he helped establish the Boxclub Stendal. A conversation with the Boxclub Stendal coach, Christoph Schlender, helped him decide to bring an end to his 6-year retirement.

“It’s a town with a very active amateur boxing club,” Hernandez said. “I had the opportunity to train some kids, I’m settled there with my family. I feel happy there.

“Christoph Schlender told me, ‘There is enough power in you.’ It made me think there is something left in my story. I want to finish my story. In 2014, I had injuries in the elbows, the knees and I was stripped of my IBF belt.

“I am 35, I had problems (making) cruiserweight, but it is an open door at heavyweight. I had to lose a lot of weight to make cruiserweight. The injuries are over and having to make weight is also over. I felt the ‘special spark’ in my fists—so my upcoming opponents will feel this.”

SES founder Ulf Steinforth was surprised at the shape Hernandez kept himself in and is only too happy to give the former titlist the opportunity to return to the ring.

“Hernandez has nothing to lose, he had a great career at cruiserweight,” said Steinforth. “He is the unbeaten champion for four defenses. I feel the story for Hernandez is not told to the end. I am optimistic he can do something in the new division in the next two or three years.

“Everybody was proud to see boxing was going on with an audience (in the last show). We shall repeat this week, testing the fighters and their teams several times, so the risk is reduced.”

Johnson, who has been stopped three times, once by Joshua and more recently by Petar Milas and Martin Bakole, turned professional in 2003. He worked his way up the ranks before losing his unbeaten record against WBC titleholder Vitali Klitschko in December 2009.

Since then, he has given many of the top big men of his generation rounds, since he’s dropped to journeyman status. While he is unlikely to cause the upset, he should give Hernandez an idea of what he has left.

[DrDuke]

He'll handle Johnson, who has only been surviving fights in his shell for recent years, but, of course, Hernandez won't be much successful with his return. Coming back after injuries and ageing doesn't sound promising. However, I like the Huck idea. Two old former cruisers. Can be competetive at least.

[squiggy]

He'll handle Johnson, who has only been surviving fights in his shell for recent years, but, of course, Hernandez won't be much successful with his return. Coming back after injuries and ageing doesn't sound promising. However, I like the Huck idea. Two old former cruisers. Can be competetive at least.

Seconded. I wanted those two to fight six or seven years ago.

[Ruthless-RKO]

He'll handle Johnson, who has only been surviving fights in his shell for recent years, but, of course, Hernandez won't be much successful with his return. Coming back after injuries and ageing doesn't sound promising. However, I like the Huck idea. Two old former cruisers. Can be competetive at least.

Seconded. I wanted those two to fight six or seven years ago.

Huck and Pablo?

Don’t see why they didn’t fight.

Huck never tried to unify did he?

[DrDuke]

He'll handle Johnson, who has only been surviving fights in his shell for recent years, but, of course, Hernandez won't be much successful with his return. Coming back after injuries and ageing doesn't sound promising. However, I like the Huck idea. Two old former cruisers. Can be competetive at least.

Seconded. I wanted those two to fight six or seven years ago.

Huck and Pablo?

Don’t see why they didn’t fight.

Huck never tried to unify did he?

Huck's promotion ruined him. He had a potential to beat other title holders, but they was keeping him safe. This eventually caused a loss to the guy, whom Huck should have handled and even almost did that.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Seconded. I wanted those two to fight six or seven years ago.

Huck and Pablo?

Don’t see why they didn’t fight.

Huck never tried to unify did he?

Huck's promotion ruined him. He had a potential to beat other title holders, but they was keeping him safe. This eventually caused a loss to the guy, whom Huck should have handled and even almost did that.

Yeh, was casually winning that fight too.

[margaret thatcher]

It was a close fight, Huck arguably lost the first five rounds though took over after the knockdown, until he got ktfo out of nowhere

[Ruthless-RKO]

Yoan Pablo Hernandez presser quotes

At today’s press conference in Magdeburg, Germany, former IBF cruiserweight champion Yoan Pablo Hernandez, now campaigning in the heavyweight division, talked about Saturday’s fight against Kevin “Kingpin” Johnson.

Yoan Pablo Hernandez: “I’m looking forward to an experienced opponent like Johnson. I’ll make everyone happy with a surprise on Saturday! The greatest burden, the weight, is now gone. Everyone knows how painful that can be. I’m free of it now – I’m looking forward to my pasta with scampi!”

Also, it was announced that former world title challenger Robin Krasniqi will get back into the ring on Saturday after a long break.

[Best Coast]

The greatest burden, the weight, is now gone. Everyone knows how painful that can be. I’m free of it now – I’m looking forward to my pasta with scampi!”

https://fightnews.com/upset-kingpin-kos ... ndez/82110

Former world title challenger Kevin “Kingpin” Johnson (35-17-1, 19 KOs) spoiled the return of ex-world champ Yoan Pablo Hernandez (29-2, 14 KOs) on Saturday night at the Elbau Park Floating Stage in Magdeburg, Germany. The 40-year-old Kingpin was more aggressive than usual. He stalked Hernandez the whole fight, dropping YPH in round four and putting him on the deck for the count in round seven. Time was 2:00.

The 35-year-old Hernandez was returning as a heavyweight after a six year layoff. Kingpin had lost five straight coming in.

Delusional Oscar De La Hoya should take note.

[margaret thatcher]

lol, embarassing

[Ruthless-RKO]

The greatest burden, the weight, is now gone. Everyone knows how painful that can be. I’m free of it now – I’m looking forward to my pasta with scampi!”

https://fightnews.com/upset-kingpin-kos ... ndez/82110

Former world title challenger Kevin “Kingpin” Johnson (35-17-1, 19 KOs) spoiled the return of ex-world champ Yoan Pablo Hernandez (29-2, 14 KOs) on Saturday night at the Elbau Park Floating Stage in Magdeburg, Germany. The 40-year-old Kingpin was more aggressive than usual. He stalked Hernandez the whole fight, dropping YPH in round four and putting him on the deck for the count in round seven. Time was 2:00.

The 35-year-old Hernandez was returning as a heavyweight after a six year layoff. Kingpin had lost five straight coming in.

Delusional Oscar De La Hoya should take note.

Wow!! Go SlowPin.. stalking an opponent? Am
I hearing that right? I though he just sits on the ropes taking hits..

This must set SlowPin with another good few fights now with prospects.

[Best Coast]

[Ruthless-RKO]

Man he’s out cold there for a bit..

[Ruthless-RKO]

If he always fights like this, he has a real chance of winning against prospects.

[margaret thatcher]

If he always fights like this, he has a real chance of winning against prospects.

The last 2 times I recall him aggressive were vs Wach and Milas, and he lost both of those clearly but at least put up a fight he could be proud of, vs the weaker prospects or more vulnerable guys he should try it more

[DrDuke]

That was even worse idea for Hernandez to come back, than it had initially seemed.

[TheBeast]

heavy
Yoan Pablo Hernandez 29 1 0
vs
Kevin Johnson 34 17 1

Yoan got KTFO



FULL CARD HIGHLIGHTS HERE:"
https://www.the13thround.com/phpBB2/vie ... 8&t=132698


ENJOY!!

[margaret thatcher]

Former cruiserweight titlist Yoan Pablo Hernandez is making a comeback at heavyweight

The next chapter in his life saw the Cuban-born fighter move his family to Stendal in the German region of Saxony-Anhalt. During his time there his family settled and he helped establish the Boxclub Stendal. A conversation with the Boxclub Stendal coach, Christoph Schlender, helped him decide to bring an end to his 6-year retirement.

“It’s a town with a very active amateur boxing club,” Hernandez said. “I had the opportunity to train some kids, I’m settled there with my family. I feel happy there.

“Christoph Schlender told me, ‘There is enough power in you.’ It made me think there is something left in my story. I want to finish my story. In 2014, I had injuries in the elbows, the knees and I was stripped of my IBF belt.

I blame our boi Chris

[Ruthless-RKO]

Exclusive Interview With Kevin Johnson

“I Will Fight Twice More This Year“

Johnson was kind enough to speak with ESB yesterday:

Q: Congratulations on the win over Hernandez. You were more aggressive than usual in the fight?

Kevin Johnson: “Thank you. Yeah, I put it on him. I was in great shape. I had fought just a couple of months before (dropping a decision to Mariuz Wach). I actually broke my finger in the first-round. I went back to the corner and I knew something was wrong. Then I got butted. I had every excuse to quit but I wasn’t gonna do that; I’d worked too hard.”

Q: You’ve never quit in any fight.

K.J: “No sir. I’ve rarely been stopped. And I’ve never been knocked out cold or anything like that, and I never will be. If the referee stops it, okay, I accept his decision. But no, knocked out, never. With the Martin [Bakole] fight, I had surgery before that fight, the only time in my career that I’ve had surgery. I could barely lift my arm up (Johnson being stopped in the 5th round in October of last year).

Q: What’s next for you?

K.J: “I’m not looking at fighting for too much longer, but I want to really make my mark before I’m done. I will have two more fights this year. It won’t be long before I retire. I’ve got my real esate business in America, I have young fighters, I’m opening a gym. What time will I have for boxing? The win [over Hernandez] opened some doors so we’ll see what happens, but I want big names. The thing about being in Germany is there is no B.S here, no distractions. There is nothing to do but train. It’s a case of train, eat, sleep and shit here! I’ll be back in the gym today. In a lot of my fights, I beat myself. I wasn’t motivated and in top shape. Staying active is the key. That’s why Floyd Mayweather was so great, because of the hours he put in in the gym.”

Q: Did you see the Povetkin win over Dillian Whyte?

K.J: “I would love to fight Povetkin. I don’t know if he’ll do it. Yeah, I saw the fight. Whyte traded with Povetkin, as I knew he would and that’s why he lost. You have to stick to the game-plan to beat Povetkin. You have to have a great team around you. Even Joshua almost got sloppy against Povetkin, but AJ stuck with his game-plan. I’ve sparred Povetkin and you can’t underestimate Povetkin’s power.”

Q: You’ve fought quite a few British heavyweights. Who impressed you the most?

K.J: “I like Daniel Dubois. He’s the real deal. I can see him going all the way. His power is for real.”

Q: You took him the distance though. How did Joshua manage to stop you so quickly when no-one else has ever managed it?

K.J: “No excuses, and don’t fight the guy on the ropes (laughs). But before that fight I got a phone call, telling me AJ was gonna have a tune-up fight instead of fighting me. They said keep training and we’ll pay your expenses. Then, I got another call, telling me he was having another tune-up fight. So I stopped training and then I got another call telling me the fight was on in three weeks. I got with Peter Fury and we did the best we could but it was such short notice. You remember Joshua had a few tune-up fights before he fought me (two in fact, against Jason Gavern in April, then against Raphael Zumbano in May, before Joshua fought Johnson in May of 2015).”

Q: You put younger fighters to shame by being so active….

K.J: “I’ll fight anyone, any time, anywhere! Staying active is the key as I said. I want to really make my mark before I’m done, so that when I’m an old man I’ll be able to look back on social media and take a look back at what I managed to accomplish in boxing.”