By Francisco Salazar

Unbeaten light heavyweight Mike Lee is his on worst critic, even when he grinds out a decision win over an awkward opponent.

Lee won a 10 round unanimous decision over Jose Hernandez Friday night at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois.

It looked like it would be an early night as Lee stunned Hernandez midway through the opening round. Hernandez, who entered the bout having won his previous seven bouts, recovered to close the distance and walk Lee down during the first half of the fight.

Lee, who is ranked number three by the WBO, ended up controlling and dictating the second of the fight. Lee momentarily stunned Hernandez, who fought through a cut on his nose, in round nine, but was able to hold on until the final bell sounded.

All three judges scored the bout 97-93 in favor of Lee, who improves to 21-0, 11 knockouts.

"I was not happy with my performance," said Lee, who graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor's degree in Finance. "I came out want to get the KO. Give credit to Jose. He took those shots. In the beginning, I was throwing too many right power shots. I was sloppy."

Lee is also ranked number 11 by the WBA. A world title shot may not be in his immediate plans, but he will not hesitate to take a call to face a world titleholder, whether at light heavyweight or super middleweight.

"I do want a shot at the world title, either at 168 or 175 pounds. I wanted the (Julio Cesar) Chavez, Jr. fight. I would love that fight. I want (to fight) someone with a belt."

Hernandez, who resides in the Los Angeles suburb of Lancaster, drops to 19-4-1, 9 KOs.

In heavyweight action, Tervel Pulev (11-0, 10 KOs), the younger brother of heavyweight contender Kubrat Pulev, stopped Armando Ancona in the opening round.

A sweeping left hook to the head dropped Ancona (8-8-2, 5 KOs) face-first to the canvas. Ancona got up, but received a barrage of punches before referee Mike Smith stopped the bout at 2:06.

In the opening bout of the CBS Sports Network telecast, super middleweight Damar Singleton (10-2-1, 6 KOs) stopped Tommy Hughes at 2:30 of the sixth round.

Hughes (6-1, 3 KOs), who entered the bout unbeaten and resides in the Chicago area, had his moments, but was momentarily stunned twice during the fight. During an exchange in round five, a punch opened a cut over the left eye of Hughes, where blood was gushing out.

Hughes looked like he would win a close decision until referee Lou Hall stopped the bout at 2:30 to have a ringside physician look at the cut. The physician advised Hall to stop the fight due to the cut.

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