Heart can take you only so far.
Alfredo Angulo learned that against late replacement Vladimir Hernandez, who outworked the 38-year-old warhorse to win a unanimous decision in a 10-round super middleweight bout on the Erislandy Lara-Greg Vendetti card Saturday in Los Angeles.
Hernandez, who replaced an ill Caleb Truax on Friday, took the fight to the slow-starting Angulo from the opening bell, landing relatively quick punches in bunches, and never really let up.
Angulo (26-8, 21 KOs) took everything Hernandez landed and picked up his punch rate a few rounds into the fight, turning what could’ve been a rout into a competitive fight with hard shots to the head and body.
However, “Perro” just couldn’t keep pace with the younger (31 years old), faster Hernandez.
All three judges had the same score 98-92, eight rounds to two. Boxing Junkie scored it 97-93 for Hernandez.
Angulo was coming off a sensational split-decision victory over Peter Quillin last September, which gave him hope of fighting for a major title once more. However, on Saturday, he took a step backward. It will be difficult for him to rebuild at his age.
Meanwhile, Hernandez (12-4, 6 KOs) recorded the biggest victory of is 11-year career on national television (FOX). As a result, we’ll probably see him again on TV.