Cuban middleweight Yoenli Hernández showcased his dominance once again, stopping Mexico’s Ángel Ruiz Astorga in the fifth round to successfully defend his WBA Continental Latin America title. The bout took place this Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, serving as the lead-up to the highly anticipated clash between David Benavidez and David Morrell.

From the opening bell, Hernández dictated the pace, overwhelming his opponent with speed, precision, and a relentless offensive arsenal. Ruiz Astorga showcased remarkable durability, absorbing an onslaught of punches, but struggled to mount any meaningful resistance.

Hernández’s attack was merciless. He mixed up his combinations masterfully, with uppercuts proving to be his most punishing weapon, repeatedly snapping Ruiz Astorga’s head back. By the third round, the Mexican warrior was in survival mode, backing against the ropes and absorbing punishment without offering much in return.

The fourth round saw Ruiz Astorga in dire straits, visibly hurt but managing to stay on his feet. However, in the fifth, referee Allen Hughes had seen enough, stepping in to halt the contest and award Hernández the technical knockout victory.

With this win, Hernández improves to a flawless 7-0 record, all by knockout, further cementing his status as the mandatory challenger in the WBA rankings, where fellow Cuban Erislandy Lara currently reigns.

Ruiz Astorga now stands at 18-4-1, with 13 knockouts.