Eduardo “Rocky” Hernandez lived up to his nickname during his spirited challenge to WBC 130-pound titleholder O’Shaquie Foster on Saturday in Cancun, Mexico, but it wasn’t enough to unseat The Ring’s No. 5-rated junior lightweight, who scored a pulse-pounding 12th-round stoppage after the two waged a round of the year candidate in the 11th.

𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑? 🤯

Watch the dramatic #FosterHernandez 11th in full 🔥 @DAZNBoxing pic.twitter.com/wr6e8HjkHX

— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) October 29, 2023

Foster (21-2, 12 KOs), who had some success with stick-and-move tactics during the first half of the bout but was soundly outworked by Hernandez, knew he had to come on strong down the stretch of the bout, which headlined a Matchroom Boxing card streamed live on DAZN.

“My coaches were telling me that I was down [on the scorecards] after the eighth round,” Foster admitted during his post-fight interview. “Rocky’s a hell of a fighter, a hell of a puncher, I had to dig deep. Round 11, when I hurt him, I knew I had him. I knew in the 12th round I could catch him.”

Hernandez (34-2, 31 KOs) applied smart pressure and exhibited underrated technique through eight rounds, which earned him an 80-72 and 78-73 lead on two official scorecards (the third was even) but the Mexican took his foot off the gas pedal in Rounds 9 and 10. And Foster, being a battle-tested veteran who just got his hands on a major world title in February, took advantage of that breather, working his way back into the fight and then making his move in Round 11.

Hernandez’s body attack helped him take the lead by the halfway point of the fight. Photo: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom

Foster rocked Hernandez early in the round, buckling the pressure fighter’s legs and putting him on the move. As Foster hunted Hernandez, the challenger repeatedly looked to his corner for some kind of guidance and twice turned his back to the defending titleholder. But just as it appeared that the rubbery legged Hernandez would be overwhelmed along the ropes, he landed a shot that buzzed Foster. The still-woozy Hernandez pressed Foster to the ropes and let his hands go until the bell.

WHO WANTS IT MORE 😤#FosterHernandez | Live on DAZN pic.twitter.com/XvYJwgTHXm

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) October 29, 2023

However, Hernandez was not able to fully recover, and Foster made sure to drop the gutsy challenger with a right hand in the final round. Hernandez got up but did not have his legs under him. Following a second knockdown, Hernandez was soon overwhelmed by a barrage from Foster. The bout was waved off at 2:38 of the final round.

Foster finished Hernandez in style. Photo: Melina Pizano/Matchroom

Foster has made it known that he doesn’t like his No. 5 ranking by The Ring and wants to unify the other world titles on his way to earning the Ring Magazine championship belt. He’s well on his way.

“I want the winner of [IBF beltholder Joe] Cordina and Edward [Vazquez] next week,” Foster said. “I’ve proven I’ll go anywhere. The ring don’t change.”

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