Yoenli “YoYo El Diablo” Hernández walked away with the win on March 28 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, but it was not the moment he felt he earned.
Fighting on the undercard of the Sebastian Fundora vs. Keith Thurman headline fight, Hernández (10-0, 9 KOs) delivered a dominant showing against Terrell Gausha that ended in a referee stoppage earlier than expected, halting what he believed was building toward a statement knockout in his 10th professional bout. The action was waved off at 1:17 of the fourth round.
“I was robbed of the opportunity to have knocked him out,” Hernández told Boxing Social following the fight. “I think the referee got a little ahead of it.”
The frustration began even before the opening bell. Gausha (24-6-1, 12KOs), a seasoned veteran and former Olympian, came in over the contracted weight, something Hernández viewed as more than just a misstep.
“For me as an athlete, I see it as disrespectful,” he said. “Especially from someone with his experience.”
Despite that, Hernández imposed himself early, backing Gausha to the ropes and landing with authority. He said he felt fully in control of the action, even when Gausha attempted to counter.
“He could not hurt me. I had everything under control,” Hernández said. “My punches were being effective, especially the overhands.”
Still, Hernández stopped short of criticizing the official’s intent, acknowledging the balance between spectacle and safety.
“The referee did the best thing so the fighter would not be injured,” he said. “But they should have left him for at least one or two more rounds.”
Even in a fight that didn’t end the way he envisioned, Hernández used the moment to make a statement about where he stands in the middleweight division. With his name holding top spots in three of the four sanctioning bodies, he made it he’s calling for the big names.
“We are knocking on the door to everyone,” he said. “To see who opens.”
Among those targets, Carlos “Caballo Bronco” Adames stands out as a priority. Hernández pointed to Adames’ recent performances and positioning in the WBC as the kind of fight that not only makes sense competitively, but one the public is already asking for.
“I would like to fight Adames, no matter what,” he said. “And with [Jesus] Ramos also. I would fight anyone.”
At the same time, Hernández didn’t shy away from what would be a deeper, more personal matchup, a potential clash with fellow Cuban world champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara.
“I respect my countryman for everything he’s done,” Hernández said. “But if tomorrow we have to fight for a title, it would be the greatest experience of my life. Youth versus experience.”
For Hernández, those names represent a part of a bigger goal tied to identity and legacy.
“I come to demonstrate in the ring with fists, not words,” he said. “My goal is to put Cuban boxing back on top and make Cuba proud.”
Even without the highlight-reel finish, Hernández left the ring with momentum, and a clear message to the division: he’s already at the door, and he’s not planning on knocking quietly.
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