The hyped comeback of former world champion Yoan Pablo Hernandez is now over before it ever got started, after the boxer lost by knockout in Germany.

In his heavyweight debut, Hernandez (29-2, 14 KO) fell by knockout in the seventh round to 40-year-old veteran Kevin Johnson.

Hernandez dominated the cruiserweight division for a long time, but looked for a new chapter by returning in the heavyweight division.

Johnson, who came into this match with a five fight losing streak, was the best man in the ring and stalked Hernandez in such a way that he took him to the canvas for the first time in the fourth round and then put an end to the fight with another knockdown in the seventh.

There is no doubting the experience of someone like Johnson, who fought tops guys like Tyson Fury to Anthony Joshua, from Andy Ruiz Jr. to Kubrat Pulev, was considered the ideal opponent for Hernandez to plant his flag again in boxing.

Hernandez, who returned under the promotional banner of SES, had not fought since he defeated First Arlan by split decision in August 2015 - before dealing with health problems that eventually forced him to proclaim his retirement at just 29 years old.

After hanging up the gloves, Hernandez worked as a coach in Germany, where he developed his entire career and which at the time had a pugilistic movement of great importance, especially in the higher division.

Coming in to this fight, Hernandez suffered only one loss in March 2008 to Wayne Braithwaite, but then built up a chain of 16 wins, including four defenses of his International Boxing Federation (IBF) title.