Boxer Jadier Herrera's Wild Knockout: Drops Opponent and Referee!

Herrera's knockout punch not only stopped his opponent but also sent the referee tumbling to the canvas.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 1:41am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the intense action of a boxing match, with the referee caught in the middle of the chaos.A cubist interpretation of the chaotic boxing match that saw Jadier Herrera's knockout punch drop both his opponent and the referee.Chicago Today

In a boxing match in Germany, Cuban fighter Jadier Herrera, with a perfect 18-0 record, faced off against Panama's Ricardo Nunes for the interim WBC lightweight title. After being dropped by Nunes earlier in the fight, Herrera unleashed a rapid-fire combination that left Nunes reeling and accidentally caught referee Daniel Van de Wiele in the crossfire, causing the referee to lose his footing and hit the canvas, delaying the official stoppage momentarily. Herrera's dramatic knockout has positioned him as a rising star, but his path to the undisputed lightweight championship is not straightforward.

Why it matters

This bizarre moment in the boxing match has sparked controversy and debate, with some fans questioning whether Herrera deserves a shot at the WBC lightweight title, currently held by Shakur Stevenson. The incident has also added to the ongoing drama in the boxing world, with other high-profile matchups and controversies generating buzz among fans.

The details

On January 10 in Germany, the 23-year-old Cuban fighter Jadier Herrera, who was undefeated at 18-0, faced off against Panama's Ricardo Nunes for the interim WBC lightweight title. During the fight, Nunes had earlier dropped Herrera, but Herrera responded with a rapid-fire combination that left Nunes reeling. In the chaos, referee Daniel Van de Wiele, who was attempting to stop the bout, accidentally got caught in the crossfire and lost his footing, hitting the canvas and delaying the official stoppage momentarily. Herrera, rather than pressing his advantage, chose to celebrate while the referee regained his composure.

  • On January 10, the boxing match between Jadier Herrera and Ricardo Nunes took place in Germany.
  • Herrera's knockout punch that dropped both Nunes and the referee occurred during this match.

The players

Jadier Herrera

A 23-year-old Cuban boxer with a perfect 18-0 record, who was fighting for the interim WBC lightweight title.

Ricardo Nunes

A boxer from Panama who was Herrera's opponent in the fight for the interim WBC lightweight title.

Daniel Van de Wiele

The referee who was accidentally caught in the crossfire of Herrera's knockout punch and fell to the canvas.

Shakur Stevenson

The current WBC lightweight champion, who is set to challenge Teofimo Lopez at junior welterweight.

Teofimo Lopez

The boxer who is set to face Shakur Stevenson in a junior welterweight match.

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What’s next

If Shakur Stevenson vacates the lightweight division after his match with Teofimo Lopez, Herrera's victory over Nunes could be his golden ticket to a world title shot.

The takeaway

Herrera's dramatic knockout has positioned him as a rising star in the boxing world, but his path to the undisputed lightweight championship is not straightforward. The incident has sparked controversy and debate among fans, who are divided on whether Herrera deserves a shot at the title or if it's too soon for him.