Jahi Tucker has left Yoenli Hernández fighting

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For Tucker, the Hernández matchup represented a big step up. Hernández has stopped eight of his nine professional opponents and built his reputation on consistent weight and heavy hitting. He forces the anti-traffickers and keeps them there, making it difficult to operate remotely.

Kyrone Davis went the full 10 rounds with Hernández earlier this year, but the fight was premature. Hernández dropped Davis in the second round and dominated the night, winning all rounds on all three cards. Davis stayed on his feet, but he responded instead of setting the terms.

The result was notable because Davis previously gave David Benavidez a tough round in their 2021 fight and showed he can compete at this level. Hernández quickly took control of the fight and didn’t give Davis a chance to change.

For Tucker, whose strengths come from timing and organization, Hernández presented a particularly difficult problem. Fighters use firm pressure to remove opportunities and force transactions. Those situations often reveal quickly where a young man stands.

Stay Competitive

Instead, Tucker’s path now leads to Akale. He faces an old enemy who brings experience without incident. The fight kept Tucker strong while delaying a direct test against one of the most physically demanding fighters.

Hernández remains at the top of the WBA rankings and is now reportedly heading to the senior checkpoint in Gausha. Tucker is no longer fighting, but his position in the division remains the same.