By Miguel Rivera

Undefeated prospect Eduardo "Rocky" Hernandez (25-0-3, 23 KOs) of Mexico, who recently received the "2017 Rookie of The Year" award from the World Boxing Council [WBC], was shot in the back on Friday in Mexico City.

According to reported, was the victim of an attempt carjacking when two men approached him and attempted to steal his car.

One of the men fired his gun at him, which hit the boxer in the lower back.

The boxer was taken to the hospital and underwent an operation to remove the bullet.

He is said to be recovering well and remains in stable condition.

Mauricio Sulaiman, the president of the WBC, was angered by the news.

"This is a cowardly act and we respectfully request that the Mexican authorities punish those responsible for this unfortunate event," Sulaiman said.

In the last few years, several boxers have been attacked or killed in Mexico - as the wave of crime continues to sweep certain areas of the country.

Hernandez, a 20 year old super featherweight, is the WBC's Youth world champion at 126-pounds.

The boxer made his pro debut in March of 2012, and then for unspecified reasons he took off and didn't fight for the entire twelve months of 2013, and then his activity exploded once 2014 hit with seven fights that year alone.

In October 2016 he got his biggest win to date, when he knocked out former world champion Viktor Terrazas in two rounds - a result which shocked the audience and also created some buzz for him in the country.

He saw action four times in 2017 - and all four bouts ended by knockout.

Hernandez captured the WBC Youth title last April, when when he defeated Hugo Santillan in three rounds and then retained the belt three times.

His last bout came in December when he knocked out Rafael Hernandez in four rounds.