BAMBERG, Germany (AP) — Yoan Pablo Hernandez returned to the ring after a 14-month injury break and knocked out Alexander Alekseev in the 10th round Saturday night to retain his IBF cruiserweight title.
Hernandez knocked down the Russian challenger in the second and fifth rounds, but was in trouble in the later rounds as he appeared to be running out of energy.
Alekseev staggered Hernandez in the seventh with two big lefts and appeared to be fresher — until Hernandez caught him with a short right hook with 1:35 left in the 10th and the Russian went down.
Hernandez, a Cuban who fights from Germany, improved to 28-1, with 14 knockouts. Alekseev, also based in Germany, fell to 24-3, with one draw.
Hernandez sat out 14 months after breaking his left hand twice.
