Yoenli Hernandez vs Angel Ruiz Predictions: The future of the middleweight division

Two-time World Amateur Champion Yoenli Hernandez has his seventh outing as pro this Saturday, February 1 as he takes on Angel Ruiz. The middleweight clash takes place on the David Benavidez vs David Morrell undercard at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Amazon Prime PPV will televise.

Here are my Hernandez vs Ruiz predictions ahead of Saturday’s fight

Yoenli Hernandez vs Angel Ruiz Odds

Unsurprisingly, the gifted Cuban is 1/33 to win this fight. His opponent is a big underdog at 10/1. The draw is available at 20/1.

Fight Odds

Hernandez has the world at his feet. After clinching twin-World Championships as an amateur, the Cuban defected in order to turn pro. With no time to waste, Yoenli has tested himself against grizzled gatekeepers and potential banana-skins on his way to the number-one contendership for the WBA title.

Hernandez has reached this plum position in just six fights. This is becoming the new normal for top amateurs. Traditionally, these prospects would amass records of 20-0 in largely meaningless fights before launching an assault on world honours. But now the very best of the amateur game seem to want to move quickly, taking bigger fights earlier than ever before.

If Hernandez wins here then a date with destiny against WBA middleweight champion Erislandy Lara awaits. The champion is defying age and his critics at 41. Last time out he beat the formerly-great ghost of Danny Garcia. It is safe to say that Hernandez will be a far sterner test.

But before the Cuban can lock-in for a world title shot, he must take care of what is in front of him. Ruiz has been around as is a creditable seventh-fight outing for Hernandez. He is a huge underdog but still streets ahead of the sort of fighters most would face at this point in their careers.

Ruiz holds a win over former WBA welterweight champion Luis Collazo. Admittedly, the fact that Collazo’s most famous fight was against Ricky Hatton 19 years ago perhaps tells you all you need to know about that victory. 

Aside from that blast from the past, the bigger names on Ruiz’s name are those of his conquerors. Giovanni Santillan outpointed him as did Francisco Veron. Hernandez is walking a well-travelled path as he takes on an opponent whom the better boxers beat on the way up.

This could be the last chance to see Hernandez in a fight like this for a while. He likely opens as the favourite for the Lara clash, but the veteran champion will have more than a few tricks to make that one competitive.

But this could be Hernandez’s last truly one-sided clash for a while. This one is designed for him to win and win well. Let’s see what you’ve got. 

Yoenli Hernandez vs Angel Ruiz Full Card

David Benavidez vs. David Morrell

Brandon Figueroa vs. Stephen Fulton

Isaac Cruz vs. Angel Fierro

Jesus Ramos vs. Jeison Rosario

Mirco Cuello vs. Christian Olivo

Yoenli Hernandez vs Angel Ruiz

Yoenli Hernandez vs Angel Ruiz Prediction

Hernandez has six wins and six knockouts. Make it seven from seven because that is the only way I can see this fight going. The Cuban by KO at 2/5.

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