 another local featherweight prospect of the time) for the vacant Puerto Rican bantamweight title on September 9, 1979, winning the title by a sixth-round knockout.This was, however, considered a mismatch by island boxing experts since Rivera was only 1-0 coming into that fight, compared to Hernandez's record of 29 wins, 6 losses and 1 draw (Rivera eventually retired with a record of 2 wins, 2 defeats and 1 draw).On March 29, 1980, Hernandez challenged the future world Bantamweight champion Jeff Chandler for Chandler's NABF and USBA bantamweight titles at Resorts International hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey Despite going the distance with Chandler, Hernandez lost a 12-round points decision in his last fight of major significance.