Yoan Pablo Hernandez edges out Arslan to retain title

IBF cruiserweight champion Yoan Pablo Hernandez (29-1, 14 KOs) scored a  12 round split decision victory over former champion Firat Arslan (34-8-2, 21 KOs) on Saturday night at the Messehalle in Erfurt, Germany.

The judges had it 115-113 for Arslan and 115-113 and 116-113, respectively, for the Cuban.

Arslan pressed the action for the first 8 rounds but Hernandez landed more punches. The German challenger suffered an injury to his right ear in the 9th round and from then on he stayed at a distance for the last three rounds. Hernandez appeared to run out of gas late on but survived until the final bell to retain his IBF belt for the fourth time since dethroning American Steve Cunningham in 2011.