By Jake Donovan

The sales pitch that came with Onoriode Ehwarieme was that he would become a heavywright to remember.

His most recent ring appearance didn’t even last long enough to full grasp how to pronounce his name—or if it’s worth remembering.

The knockout artist from Nigeria suffered the first loss of his pro career in the worst way, as he was knocked out in one round by journeyman Rodney Hernandez in their heavyweight bout Saturday evening at Soboba Casino in San Jacinto, California.

A left hook put Ehwarieme down late in round one, barely beating the count by deemed unfit to continue.

The opening bout of a Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on FS1 tripleheader—which actually aired on FS2 due to a Major League Baseball game running long—promised to deliver all action. Both heavyweights were game for the cause, but Ehwarieme was a bit too brave for his own good.

His approach was understood, as he entered the night having scored 16 straight knockouts since going the distance in his pro debut. He wouldn’t even go a round on this night, as Hernandez connected with a left hook to floor the 31-year old slugger.

Ehwarieme managed to beat the count of referee Rudy Barragan, but wasn’t able to regain his composure quick enough to convince the third man he was fit to see round two.

The official time was 2:59 of round one.

California’s Hernandez scores by far the biggest win of his career, advancing to 13-7-2 (4KOs). He has now won his last three starts.

The bout aired live on FS2 and Fox Deportes, in supporting capacity to a welterweight main event between former two-division titlist Devon Alexander faces California-based Ukrainian super lightweight Ivan Redkach, who moves up in weight.

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for krikya360.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox