By Jake Donovan

Daniel Ponce de Leon returned to the win column, but even in taking every round still looked sluggish in scoring a 10-round decision over Joksan Hernandez in Cancun, Mexico.

Scores were 100-89 across the board in their Fox Deportes-televised main event.

Ponce de Leon was fighting for the first time since his humbling knockout loss to Abner Mares this past May, which ended a brief stay as featherweight titlist. Moving up in weight, the former two-division titlist was expected to roll through Hernandez, known for action fights but also not boasting the greatest punch resistance.

While the final scores were relatively accurate, the margin exceeded the level of dominance (or lack thereof) by Ponce de Leon. The southpaw knockout artist looked like he hadn't properly grown into the new weight class, pushing a lot of his punches and coming slower than normal.

Fortunately for the 33-year old, Hernandez was never a threat to spoil the party. As a result, Ponce de Leon picks up his first win since shocking Jhonny Gonzalez in a title-lifting effort last September. The win advances his record to 45-5 (35KO), though doesn't necessarily enhance the perception that a title in a third weight class is in the cards.

Hernandez suffers his fourth loss within the span of seven fights (2-4-1 over that stretch) as he falls to 23-6-1 (15KO).

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of Boxingscene.com, as well as the Records Keeper for the Transnational Boxing Ratings Board and a member of Boxing Writers Association of America. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox