(JAN 20) Last night at the Emerald Queen Casino, in Tacoma, Washington, it is probably easier to decide on an economic stimulus package than to absolutely state a case for who won the four round featherweight bout between Merced Nunez and Hondi Hernandez. The judges did agree that Nunez won the opening round, but after that, the fight looked different depending on the seat.

At the opening bell Nunez stepped toward Hernandez and applied pressure. Nunez used a jab to back Hernandez around the ring, but she could not catch the quicker Hernandez with her right. Nunez did inflict a bit of damage when she was able to back Hernandez in to a corner; however, Hernandez covered up, blocking most of the punches and ducked out of trouble.

The middle rounds were close. Hernandez started to fire up her jab, and her slightly longer reach enabled her to touch Nunez a few times. Hernandez was most effective when she slipped aside and threw counterpunches at Nunez. As in the first round, when Nunez could pin Hernandez on the ropes, or back her in to a corner, she was effective. By the end of the third, the fighter’s tactics had become clear. Nunez wanted to stay close and outwork the taller Hernandez; Hernandez wanted to counter punch and use her reach to keep Nunez off balance.

Hernandez had her left hand warmed up and pumping in the fourth round, and at least twice the left made a mark on Nunez’s chin. While slightly stunned, the stalwart Nunez kept coming forward. Hernandez threw more punches in the fourth, and while she has scored three KOs, she could not find the right shot to put Nunez down.

After four rounds Merced Nunez scored the split decision win. Two judges saw the fight 39-37 for Nunez; the third had the same score in favor of Hernandez.