Herrera stops Nunez in round eight

Per-Ake Persson

Cuban Jadier Herrera (18-0) based in Dubai, stopped Panamanian veteran Ricardo Nunez (26-8) to win the WBC interim title in the eighth round but it wasn’t easy.

Herrera, a southpaw, looked good in the first but late in the round he was off balance and got caught by a right hand and went down. Nunez went all out to finish it but the Cuban managed to smother him and got through the round. Herrera then took over the fight although every round was tough and evenly contested. Nunez was in it but was gradually worn down.

In the eight Herrera caught Nunez with a right hook and the Panamanian was hurt for real. A left hook landed as well and Nunez was out of it when the referee, Belgian Daniel Van De Wiele, broke them apart and tried to stop the fight but fell to the canvas – but the two fighters respected the sudden break and once the referee was back up on his feet he declared the fight stopped.

Lightweight Nelson Birchall (10-0) stepped in on short notice and fought Nicaraguan Wilbert Pantin (7-7), who came in on even shorter notice. It was a one-sided fight and Pantin wisely retired and didn´t come out for the sixth and final round.