 His boxing nickname is "Puppy".Hernandez made his professional boxing debut on June 22, 1969, when he defeated Willie Pastrana (not to be confused with Willie Pastrano, the former light heavyweight champion) by a four-round decision at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan.In his second fight, Hernandez lost for the first time, to another local prospect, Santos Luis Rivera, by a four-round decision.