Jadier Herrera STOPS Panamanian Ricardo Nunez to win the WBC Interim Lightweight Boxing Title

Ricardo Núñez falls with honor after a controversial finish against Jadier Herrera.  The Panamanian knocked the Cuban down in the first round and fell in the eighth after a questionable ring activity in Germany.  The referee intervened and declared a technical knockout while the Panamanian Ricardo Núñez was still standing.  Panamanian Ricardo ‘El Científico’ Núñez was unable to win the interim World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight title after falling by technical knockout in the eighth round to Cuban Jadier Herrera, in a vibrant and controversial fight held at the Rudolf Weber Arena in Oberhausen, Germany. 

The fight started spectacularly for Núñez. In the first round, the Panamanian from La Chorrera sent the previously undefeated Herrera to the canvas with a right hand, making it clear that he hadn’t come to Europe as an underdog. During the early rounds, the Panamanian pressed forward, landing clean punches and seriously troubled the Cuban, who had difficulty imposing his rhythm.  However, from the third round onward, Herrera began to adjust his strategy, making better use of his jab and speed to slow the Panamanian’s advance. 

Little by little, the Cuban gained ground and controlled the fight in the exchanges at mid- and close range.  The fight ended in the eighth round when Herrera landed a flurry of punches that staggered Núñez. In the midst of the action, the referee tried to intervene, but was knocked down by a punch while attempting to separate them. Seconds later, the referee stopped the fight, a decision that sparked controversy, as Núñez was still on his feet and many believed he could continue. 

The controversial nature of the ending was reinforced when it became known that, at the time of the stoppage, all three judges’ scorecards showed a tie of 66-66, reflecting how close the fight was.  Despite the controversy, the official result was recorded as a technical knockout victory for Jadier Herrera, who was proclaimed the WBC interim lightweight world champion and maintained his undefeated record.  For Núñez, the performance leaves an image of courage, pressure and competitiveness, having put one of the most dangerous prospects in the division in serious trouble and knocked him down at the start of the fight.

Panamanian Ricardo Núñez Fights for a World Title Today: Time and Where to Watch the Fight

Panamanian boxing has another date with history this Saturday when Ricardo ‘El Científico’ Núñez fights for the interim World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight championship against undefeated Cuban Jadier Herrera, in the city of Oberhausen, Germany.  The fight is scheduled to begin around 3:00 p.m., Panama time, and is part of a high-level international event at the Rudolf Weber Arena. 

Núñez, 32 years old and with a record of 26-7 (22 KO), will seek to become the 31st world champion in the history of Panamanian boxing, against a young and powerful rival who has accumulated 17 victories, 15 by knockout.  The fight will be broadcast live on DAZN, a platform that will bring the entire fight card to Panama and Latin America.  The National Government and SENAFRONT, the institution to which Núñez belongs, have expressed their support for the boxer, who is trying to crown years of sacrifice and preparation with a world title. 

The Panamanian boxer faces Cuban Jadier Herrera this afternoon for the WBC interim lightweight title in Germany.