Chordale Booker continues winning.

Booker broke down Nicolas Hernandez, dropping him twice before ending matters in round seven Saturday night before an announced crowd of 4,235 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. 

The 32-year-old Booker, who resides in nearby Stamford, improved to 20-1, 9 knockouts. 

From the opening bell, the southpaw Booker took the initiative, varying combinations to the head and body of Hernandez. During the fourth round, Booker stunned Hernandez with a right hook to the head. Booker followed up, battering Hernandez until the bell sounded to end the round.

A ringside physician checked on Hernandez after the round ended, and after allowing the fight to continue, Hernandez was the aggressor during the fifth round, closing the distance and throwing looping left hooks and right crosses. A left hook to the body during that round caught Booker’s attention, forcing him to take a step back and gather himself.

“I got a little too comfortable in front of him,” said Booker afterwards. “He caught me with a good left hand that knocked me off balance. It was cool though because I heard the crowd get loud. It created some drama. I liked that he came to fight because it lit a fire under me. He started yelling ‘come on!’ and I thought, ‘Wow, this dude really believes he can win this.’”

With less than a minute left in round seven, Booker stunned Hernandez, prompting Booker to follow up, dropping Hernandez with a combination that culminated with a left hand. The game Hernandez beat the count, but a lead right hook dropped Hernandez again, prompting referee Johnny Callas to stop the fight at 2:41. 

“This was very satisfying for me,” said Booker. “I had some things I wanted to work on, and I had a tough guy in front of me who didn’t fall from the first shot. He was coming to win, and that’s what I wanted. 

“I want to stay active. It keeps me sharp. I love Mohegan. The fans here are so supportive. Having Tony Harrison and Alycia Baumgardner in attendance meant a lot to me. I’m knocking on everybody’s door. I would love to bring a title or a big fight here. We can do Tim Tszyu, James Metcalf, Brian Mendoza, or even someone who recently lost to those guys. Whatever I can do to get myself to the next level.”

Booker is managed by Paul Guarino and has won his last three bouts since losing by knockout to unbeaten Austin Williams on April 30 of last year.

Hernandez, who is originally from Puerto Rico and now resides in Reading, Pennsylvania, falls to 27-7-3, 12 KOs.

In the co-feature, Jaime Clampitt defeated Ecuador’s 39-year-old Josefina Vega (9-6, 4 KOs) by unanimous decision. Scores were 80-72, 80-72, and 78-74 for Clampitt, who improved to 25-6-2, 7 KOs.

Both fighters stood toe-to-toe in the pocket, but the 47-year-old Clampitt landed the more-effective punches throughout the fight.

In lightweight action, junior lightweight prospect Alejandro Paulino remained unbeaten, knocking out Argentina’s Julian Evaristo Aristule at 1:54 of the opening round. Paulino is originally from the Dominican Republic and now resides in New London, Connecticut. 

The 39-year-old Aristule (35-18-1, 18 KOs) has now lost nine of his last 11 fights. 

Junior middleweight prospect Anthony Velazquez of Springfield, Massachusetts knocked out Argentina’s Mario Ariel Bustos (7-10-1, 3 KOs) at 1:48 of the first round. Velazquez improved to 13-0-1, 12 KOs.

In a clash of unbeaten junior welterweights, Michael Kimbrel defeated Stephen Davis (1-1, 1 KO) of Brockton, Massachusetts by unanimous decision. All three judges scored the bout 40-36 in favor of Kimbrel (3-0, 2 KOs), who is trained by former world light heavyweight titleholder Chad Dawson. 

The card was promoted by Jimmy Burchfield. 

Francisco A. Salazar has written for BoxingScene.com since September 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing