Yoenlis Hernández Targets Janibek Alimkhanuly For His Next Bout
- Matthew Brown
- 5 minutes ago
- 2 min read
06/02/2025
This past Saturday, May 31, Yoenlis Hernández (8-0, 7 KOs) put on a masterclass in absolute dominance against veteran Kyrone Davis, a man coming off the biggest win of his career over top prospect Elijah Garcia. Davis hoped to replicate that success against the Cuban fighter, but had no answer for the arsenal of “Yoyo Diablo.”
From start to finish, Hernández imposed his jab, punished the body, forced a standing eight count in the second round after scoring a knockdown, and walked away with a unanimous decision that left no room for debate: 100-89 on all three judges’ scorecards. Though the knockout didn’t come, the performance was nothing short of emphatic.
Hernández Feliciano already has his sights set on his next battle—and it’s no ordinary challenge. According to sources close to his team, the undefeated Cuban could face WBO middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly in his next bout, arguably the most avoided fighter in the 160-pound division.
Hernández will take a few days off, but his representatives are expected to meet with WBO official Gustavo Olivieri, where the Kazakh reigns as champion. Alimkhanuly also holds a title from the IBF.
“We’re ready for anyone. And if Janibek is next, so be it,” said Luis De Cubas Sr. to The Miami Herald, one of the key figures at Warriors Boxing. “Yoenlis has shown that he belongs in the elite and is ready for that level of challenge.”
“This time the KO didn’t come, but I felt strong until the final bell,” Hernández said after the fight. “It was an opportunity to show I can keep a high pace, that I can punish without letting up. Now I want the champions.”
And among those champions, Alimkhanuly (16-0, 11 KOs), the reigning WBO and IBF titleholder, looms as the perfect rival—not just because of his level, but because very few are willing to step into the ring with him. But Hernández is not just another contender—he believes his moment to conquer the middleweight division has arrived.
The Cuban represents a new wave of fighters from the island who aren’t here to dance or play it safe. They come to destroy. His aggressive style, flawless conditioning, and killer mentality make him a real threat to anyone at 160 pounds.
To many, Janibek is a tough puzzle—a southpaw technician with chilling power and surgical precision. But for Hernández, he’s a golden opportunity. A trial by fire that, if passed, would put him squarely at the top of the division.
“If we’re pursuing this fight, it’s because we believe Yoenlis can win it,” added De Cubas. “We’re going to work on making it happen, but we’re confident that sooner or later he’ll become a world champion. What you saw Saturday was a big part of his talent—but not all of it.”
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