Hernandez gave Nakatani hell for 12 rounds during the three-division champion’s 122-pound debut and unanimous decision win in December.

The back-and-forth bout was presumably what Nakatani (32-0, 24 KOs) needed to level up even more Saturday when he takes on undisputed junior featherweight champion and fellow Japanese countryman Naoya Inoue (32-0, 27 KOs) at Tokyo Dome on DAZN. 

“People were surprised of my performance against Nakatani, but I'm not surprised,” Hernandez told The Ring. “I've watched the fight a handful of times, but I don't think I really won the fight. Nakatani did enough to win the fight. I need to move forward and keep working on my boxing skills.

“My life and career have changed a lot following the Nakatani fight. Now I have to keep working to get better.”

Nakatani’s coach labeled Hernandez the second coming of Julio Cesar Chavez. Judges officially ruled the fight 115-113, 115-113, 118-110 for Nakatani.

The slugfest featured nearly 600 combined landed shots — a 297-273 edge for Nakatani — as neither fighter backed down from the frenetic pace. 

Hernandez (20-1, 18 KOs), a 25-year-old from Mexico, had previously scored a career-best unanimous decision in May against former title challenger Azat Hovhannisyan. It was just the second time Hernandez was fighting in the United States. 

Several months before, Hernandez was summoned to Japan by Inoue to serve as a sparring partner as he was preparing for a fight that never materialized against Sam Goodman. 

“Inoue and I sparred only one time for five rounds,” said Hernandez. “I wasn't trying to impress anybody. I was just trying to help Inoue with technical work. I didn't give him everything that I had, but was never called back again. I was in Japan for three weeks preparing for my own fight, and ended up getting in shape by sparring with other fighters in Japan.”

Hernandez, a six-year pro and The Ring’s No. 4 122-pounder, said he’s focused on continuing to develop his game to improve his chances against high-caliber opponents once the opportunities undoubtedly surface again.

Like many astute observers, Hernandez sees the fight going either way despite wide betting odds labeling Inoue a -400 favorite and Nakatani as a +300 underdog. 

“I see a hard fight for Inoue. Nakatani is a good, strong, technical fighter. He's a great champion, just as Inoue is,” said Hernandez. “Inoue needs to use more technique and his footwork. I'm not a technical fighter who moved. I was looking for the fight against Nakatani, and fighting with everything that I had and wanted to take advantage of the opportunity. 

“I think it will go to a decision – either guy can win. I punched Nakatani a lot, and he was able to take it. I wish them all the best, hope they give the fans a great fight and come back home healthy.” 

Manouk Akopyan is The Ring’s lead writer. Follow him on X and Instagram: @ManoukAkopyan