I keep in mind Genaro as an amazing fighter, however extra in order a fair higher household man and gentleman,” – Corridor of Fame ring announcer Michael Buffer
“He was a beautiful man, and he was actually a credit score to the game of boxing” – Corridor of Fame promoter Bob Arum.
Genaro Hernandez, the favored Los Angeles fighter often called “Chicanito,” sadly handed away 14 years in the past this week (June 7, 2011).
Genaro turned professional within the fall of 1984. He ran off 15 straight wins earlier than capturing the California State Tremendous Featherweight title whereas amassing a big fan base in southern California. In 1991, He traveled to France and in an amazing efficiency beat Daniel Londas by TKO 9 to seize the vacant World Boxing Affiliation (WBA) tremendous featherweight title.
He confronted Azumah Nelson for the World Boxing Council (WBC) tremendous featherweight title in March of 1997. He gutted out a hard-earned SD to say the title. Hernandez would defend the title 3 instances over the subsequent yr earlier than defending it for a 4th time in what would turn into his final battle.
Difficult for Chicanito’s WBC belt was future-legend Floyd Mayweather Jr. Whereas Genaro fought nicely, exhibiting the center of a champion, thunderous uppercuts and harsh counter-shots by “Fairly Boy” satisfied coach and brother Rudy Hernandez that Genaro had taken sufficient; the battle was stopped on the finish of the eighth.
In December of 1998, after he was recognized with a blood clot and a torn cartilage muscle, Hernandez introduced his retirement. He closed out his excellent profession with a file of 38-2-1 (17).
Mayweather all the time appreciated Genaro as an amazing champion, thanking him for the chance to battle for his belt. Talking on HBO’s “Ring Life”, Mayweather stated, “Genaro Hernandez, could he relaxation in peace. He gave me my first alternative.” (In a heartfelt gesture for a fellow champion, Mayweather paid Genaro’s funeral bills.)
In retirement, Hernandez loved coaching fighters whereas additionally offering commentary on tv and PPV telecasts for Prime Rank Boxing. Sadly, in 2008, Genaro was recognized with a uncommon type of most cancers. Very like the way in which he carried out himself out and in of the ring, he dealt with the illness with class and dignity. All through his battle, his good nature all the time shone by way of. Hernandez was all the time smiling, by no means feeling sorry for himself, all the time courageous. Prime Rank boss Bob Arum, who quietly went about protecting medical bills throughout Genaro’s most cancers therapy, summed him up greatest to boxing author Dan Rafael, saying, “He was a beautiful man, and he was a credit score to the game of boxing.”
In an impressive profession, which included two world titles, Hernandez confronted notable opponents corresponding to Jorge Paez, Oscar De La Hoya, Azumah Nelson, and Floyd Mayweather Jr., amongst others.
Hernandez, a champion out and in of the ring, handed away on June 7, 2011. Hernandez is survived by his spouse, Liliana, and their two kids.
Remembered fondly by everybody at MaxBoxing – gone however by no means forgotten.
Relaxation in peace, Champ!
