Genaro Hernández

Genaro Hernández
Statistics
Real name Genaro Hernández
Nickname(s) Chicanito
Rated at Light Welterweight
Lightweight
Super Featherweight
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Reach 72 in (182 cm)
Nationality American
Born May 10, 1966
Los Angeles, California
Died June 7, 2011(2011-06-07) (aged 45)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights 41
Wins 38
Wins by KO 17
Losses 2
Draws 1
No contests 0

Genaro Hernández (May 10, 1966 – June 7, 2011)[1] was a Mexican-American[2] boxer from South Central Los Angeles.[3] Hernández was the former WBC, WBA, & Lineal super featherweight champion.[4][5]

Contents

Pro career

Hernández, a Mexican-American, enjoyed a distinguished career as a professional boxer. His debut as a paid fighter came on September 27, 1984, when he beat Dino Ramirez by a decision in four rounds at Inglewood.[6] 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. He beat Rojas, who had lasted seven rounds against Chávez, by a knockout in round six. This enabled Hernández to enter the WBA super featherweight rankings.[7] Hernandez went on to win seven more fights, four by knockout, including one over former world title challenger Felipe Orozco, and another, in his first professional fight abroad: a three round knockout over Leon Collins in Tokyo, Japan.[8]

WBA super featherweight title

Exactly two years after his win over Rojas, Hernández got his first world title try, against Daniel Londas, on November 22, 1991 at Épernay, France. Hernández did not disappoint those who had predicted him to be a future world champion as he knocked out world champion Londas in nine rounds in front of Londas' hometown crowd, becoming World Junior Lightweight champion.[9] In 1992, he defended his crown twice, knocking out Omar Catari in six rounds and, travelling to Japan once more, defeating challengers Masuaki Takeda and Yuji Watanabe, Takeda by decision and Watanabe by knockout in six.[10]

His next fight proved historic, albeit for the wrong reasons. Defending on April 26, 1993, once again at Inglewood against former world featherweight champion Raúl Pérez, Hernández had to settle for a first round technical draw. This was the first, and so far only, world title fight in which no punches were landed. Right after the initial bell, Perez headbutted Hernández, and Perez bled profusely from an arteric vein on his forehead. The referee summoned the ring doctor, who decided the fight should be stopped as Perez required immediate surgery.[11] In the June 28th rematch later that year, Hernández retained the world title by a knockout in round eight. Hernandez then closed the year by defeating Harold Warren by decision to once again keep his title. In 1994, Hernandez retained the title twice, including a victory over Jimmy Garcia, (who would sadly die later after a fight with Gabriel Ruelas). By the end of 1994, Hernández was clamoring for a world title fight against crosstown rival and WBO lightweight champion Oscar De La Hoya.[12]

After eight successful title defenses, Hernández vacated his WBA super featherweight title in order to face De La Hoya in the upcoming year. Hernández began 1995 by beating another Mexican boxing legend, Jorge Maromero Páez, by a knockout in eight rounds at Inglewood. The Hernández-Páez fight was overshadowed by another news that rattled the Hispanic world that day: The death of famed Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla.[13]

Lightweight

On September 9, the highly anticipated encounter between Hernández and de la Hoya took place in Las Vegas. Hernández lost for the first time in his career as he was knocked out in six rounds by the younger, heavier De La Hoya.[14] Up until the fight's end, the judges had de la Hoya holding a lead on all three scorecards. After the loss Hernández took some brief time off but by 1996 he was back inside the ring, winning two bouts that year.[15]

WBC super featherweight title

In 1997, he fought what almost turned into another controversial fight when he challenged Azumah Nelson for the WBC & Lineal super featherweight titles, in Corpus Christi, Texas.[16][17] Ahead on all scorecards at the end of round seven, he was hit in his throat by a Nelson punch after the bell. 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.[18] 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.[19]

Hernández went on to defend his crown against such capable challengers as future super featherweight champion Anatoly Alexandrov, Carlos Gerena and another future world champion Carlos Famoso Hernandez, a gym-mate and personal friend who would later become El Salvador's first world boxing champion in history.[20]

In what would turn out to be his last fight, on October 3 of 1998 he lost his titles to Floyd Mayweather Jr. by an 8th round retirement.[21]

Retirement

In December of 1998, after he was diagnosed with a blood clot and a torn cartilage muscle, he announced his retirement with a record of 38 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw, with 17 of those wins coming by knockout. He had intended to challenge WBC lightweight champion César Bazán before the diagnosis.[22]

Professional record

Result Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
Loss Floyd Mayweather Jr. RTD 8 1998-10-03 Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas, Nevada Lost WBC & Lineal super featherweight titles.
Win Carlos Gerena UD 12 1998-05-16 Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California Retained WBC & Lineal super featherweight titles.
Win Carlos Hernandez UD 12 1997-11-20 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California Retained WBC & Lineal super featherweight titles.
Win Anatoly Alexandrov SD 12 1997-06-14 Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas Retained WBC & Lineal super featherweight titles.
Win Azumah Nelson SD 12 1997-03-22 Memorial Coliseum, Corpus Christi, Texas Won WBC & Lineal super featherweight titles.
Win Antonio Hernandez UD 10 1996-09-28 Fort Worth, Texas, United States
Win Javier Pichardo TKO 5 1996-05-08 Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California
Loss Oscar De La Hoya RTD 6 1995-09-09 Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada For WBO lightweight title.
Win Jorge Paez TKO 8 1995-03-31 Arrowhead Pond, Anaheim, California
Win Jimmy Garcia UD 12 1994-11-12 Plaza Mexico, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico Retained WBA super featherweight title.
Win Jorge Ramirez TKO 8 1994-01-31 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California Retained WBA super featherweight title.
Win Harold Warren UD 12 1993-10-11 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California Retained WBA super featherweight title.
Win Raul Perez KO 8 1993-06-28 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California Retained WBA super featherweight title.
Draw Raul Perez TD 1 1993-04-26 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California Retained WBA super featherweight title.
Win Yuji Watanabe TKO 6 1992-11-20 Metropolitan Gym, Tokyo, Japan Retained WBA super featherweight title.
Win Masuaki Takeda UD 12 1992-07-15 International Center, Fukuoka, Japan Retained WBA super featherweight title.
Win Omar Catari UD 12 1992-02-24 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California Retained WBA super featherweight title.
Win Daniel Londas TKO 9 1991-11-22 Complex Sport le COMEP, Épernay, Marne, France Won vacant WBA super featherweight title.
Win Pedro Arroyo DQ 10 1991-02-11 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California
Win Rodolfo Gomez KO 5 1990-12-06 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California
Win Ben Lopez TKO 6 1990-09-22 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California
Win Richard Abila KO 3 1990-08-27 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California
Win Leon Collins KO 3 1990-05-10 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
Win Felipe Orozco UD 10 1989-07-31 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California
Win Ed Pollard UD 10 1989-05-15 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California
Win Refugio Rojas KO 6 1988-11-22 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California Won USA California State super featherweight title.
Win Jose Mosqueda UD 10 1988-07-25 Marriott Hotel, Irvine, California
Win Juan Manuel Vega TKO 9 1988-04-25 Marriott Hotel, Irvine, California
Win Kenny Wyatt UD 10 1987-08-31 Marriott Hotel, Irvine, California
Win J L Ivey UD 10 1986-12-12 Las Vegas, Nevada
Win Lupe Miranda UD 10 1986-09-12 Las Vegas, Nevada
Win Terry Baldwin TKO 7 1986-07-21 Marriott Hotel, Irvine, California
Win Jorge Valdez TKO 3 1986-04-28 Marriott Hotel, Irvine, California
Win Larry Villarreal UD 6 1986-03-31 Marriott Hotel, Irvine, California
Win Terry Baldwin KO 2 1986-02-24 Marriott Hotel, Irvine, California
Win Pablo Montano TKO 2 1986-02-17 Phoenix, Arizona
Win Jose Maytorena KO 1 1985-12-12 Fairgrounds, Bakersfield, California
Win Randy Archuleta UD 6 1985-10-29 Stockton, California
Win Dino Ramirez UD 6 1985-06-24 Marriott Hotel, Irvine, California
Win Martin Escobar UD 4 1984-11-17 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California
Win Dino Ramirez UD 4 1984-09-27 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California Genaro's professional debut.

Life after boxing

After retiring from boxing Hernández was diagnosed with fourth-stage cancer of the head and neck, a very rare form of cancer, and one which Hernández' insurance would not cover for treatment. Although Hernández has collected several large purses in his career, including $600,000 for his final fight against Mayweather,[23] he was not able to afford his expensive treatments and benefits were held to assist in paying what insurance would not cover. In mid 2009 it was reported that Hernández' cancer was in remission [24] but in early 2010 the cancer had returned and Hernández was undergoing treatment.[25] On June 3rd, 2011, it was announced that Hernández would stop chemotherapy treatment.[26]

Hernández worked as a boxing instructor at the LA Boxing Gym in Lake Forest, California until early 2011. He helped out in a broadcast of a boxing match in Maywood after that.[27]

Death

Hernández died from cancer on June 7, 2011, at the age of 45.[28]

Preceded by
Joey Gamache
Vacates		 WBA Super Featherweight Champion
22 November 1991 – 1995
Vacates		 Succeeded by
Yong-Soo Choi
Preceded by
Azumah Nelson		 WBC Super Featherweight Champion
March 1997 – 3 October 1998		 Succeeded by
Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
Lineal Super Featherweight Champion
March 1997 – 3 October 1998

See also

References

  1. ^ Douglas Martin (June 8, 2011). "Genaro Hernandez, Twice a World Champion, Dies at 45". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/09/sports/genaro-hernandez-twice-a-world-champion-dies-at-45.html?ref=deathsobituaries. 
  2. ^ http://deportes.univision.com/boxeo/article/2011-06-07/fallecio-genaro-chicanito-hernandez
  3. ^ http://sports.yahoo.com/box/news;_ylt=AogRdbNTIixU07FeF7v7Pn2UxLYF?slug=ki-iole_champion_hernandez_remembered_060911
  4. ^ http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/jrlight.htm
  5. ^ http://www.impre.com/laopinion/deportes/boxeo/2011/6/8/genaro-pierde-la-pelea-259271-1.html
  6. ^ http://www.8countnews.com/news/125/ARTICLE/3841/2011-06-07.html
  7. ^ http://ringsidereport.com/?p=11291
  8. ^ http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=6637276
  9. ^ http://www.boxingscene.com/genaro-hernandez-passes-away-long-cancer-battle--40084
  10. ^ http://www.thesweetscience.com/news/articles/12714-rest-in-peace-genaro-hernandez
  11. ^ http://www.undisputedfightmag.com/2011/06/08/genaro-hernandez-passes-at-45/
  12. ^ http://www.elnuevodia.com/falleceelexpugilchicanitohernandez-986971.html
  13. ^ http://www.boxen1.com/pressenews/genaro-hernandez-verliert-seinen-schwersten-kampf--260962.php
  14. ^ http://www.thefightnetwork.com/news/11342:genaro-hernandez-now-a-champion-for-eternity/
  15. ^ http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/los-angeles/blogs/boxeo/_/id/1311745?cc=3888
  16. ^ http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/jrlight.htm
  17. ^ http://www.secondsout.com/news/other-news/genaro-hernandez-loses-cancer-battle
  18. ^ http://www.asbigo.com/sports/southland-boxer-genaro-hernandez-a-former-world-champion-dies-at-45/
  19. ^ http://www.provincia.com.mx/07-06-2011/202894/
  20. ^ http://www.boxingnews24.com/2011/06/wbc-news-genero-hernandez-passes-away/
  21. ^ http://3morerounds.com/news/genaro-hernandez-1966-2011/
  22. ^ http://www.boxinginsider.com/columns/jackie-kallen-an-open-letter-to-genaro-hernandez/
  23. ^ http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/cbzforum/showthread.php?t=3143
  24. ^ http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/news/story?id=887853&s=box&type=story
  25. ^ "Genaro Hernandez hangs tough in his toughest bout". Los Angeles Times. 2011-02-07. http://articles.latimes.com/2011/feb/07/sports/la-sp-dwyre-20110208. Retrieved 2011-06-01. 
  26. ^ "Genaro Hernández gives up chemotherapy". Ringtalk.com. 2011-06-03. http://ringtalk.com/genaro-hernandez-chemotherapy-cancer-el-chickanito. Retrieved 2011-06-05. 
  27. ^ "Genaro Hernández hangs tough in his toughest bout". Los Angeles Times. 2011-02-07. http://articles.latimes.com/2011/feb/07/sports/la-sp-dwyre-20110208. Retrieved 2011-06-01. 
  28. ^ Pugmire, Lance (2011-06-07). "Southland boxer Genaro Hernandez, a former world champion, dies at 45". Los Angeles Times. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2011/06/former-world-champion-boxer-hernandez-from-la-dies-at-45.html. 

External links