Junior lightweight contender Eduardo "Rocky" Hernandez returned to the ring after a 13-month hiatus, stopping journeyman Eleazar Valenzuela in round 2 Thursday night at the Arena La Paz in La Paz, Mexico.
Hernandez, who resides in Mexico City, improves to 31-1, 28 knockouts.
The victory over Valenzuela was Hernandez’s first fight under his promotional contract with Probellum. In his last bout on November 19 of last year, which marked his last bout under contract with Golden Boy Promotions, Hernandez knocked out Eduardo Garza in round 3.
Hernandez was the aggressor from the opening bell, putting Valenzuela on the defensive. Although Valenzuela was game, Hernandez’s more-powerful punches were beginning to take their toll.
Early in round 2, a sweeping left hook to the head stunned Valenzuela against the ropes. Hernandez followed up with two right uppercuts to the head, dropping Valenzuela to the canvas. The fight was immediately waved off at 50 seconds.
Hernandez has now won his last three fights since his first round knockout loss to Roger Gutierrez in July 2019. He made his pro debut at the age 16 in February 2014.
Valenzuela, who resides in Guasave, Mexico, drops to 24-20-5, 18 KOs.
Featherweight Alberto Mora, also of Mexico City, improved to 2-0, 2 KOs by stopping Alexis Espinoza in round 2. Espinoza was making his pro debut.
Flyweight Yoali Mejia Mosqueda (2-0, 1 KO) defeated Miguel Angel Vazquez (1-2) by unanimous decision over four rounds.
Francisco A. Salazar has written for BoxingScene since September 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing