[4] He racked up a record of 13–0 with 6 knockouts and a solid reputation as a future champion around Southern California, when he met former Julio César Chávez world title challenger Refugio Rojas on November 22, 1988.
Defending on April 26, 1993, once again in Inglewood against former world featherweight champion Raúl Pérez, Hernández had to settle for a first round technical draw.
By the end of 1994, Hernández was clamoring for a world title fight against crosstown rival and WBO lightweight champion Oscar De La Hoya.
Hernández began 1995 by beating popular Mexican boxer, Jorge "Maromero" Páez, by a knockout in eight rounds in Inglewood.
[11] On September 9, the highly anticipated encounter between Hernández and de la Hoya took place in Las Vegas.
He needed some time to recuperate from the illegal late hit, and WBC President José Sulaiman came to his corner and informed him that if he could not continue he would be declared winner by disqualification.
[15] Hernández told Sulaiman something along the lines of I want to win it like real champions do, and he went back to the fight at the beginning of round eight.
The fight ended after twelve rounds and Hernández won the Super featherweight titles by defeating Nelson with a split decision victory.
Although Hernández collected several large purses in his career, including $600,000 for his final fight against Mayweather,[21] he was not able to afford his expensive treatments and benefits were held to assist in paying what insurance would not cover.