Final Tribute: Champ Genaro "Chicanito" Hernandez
Courtesy Photo: WBC

(JUNE 8) WBAN would like to pay a final tribute to Genaro “Chicanito” Hernandez who died yesterday at the age of 45. As said in a press release from the WBC, Genaro was a champion in the ring, a champion in society, a champion to his family and friends. Hernandez had earned many titles before he retired from boxing.

Genaro Hernandez was born on May 10, 1966, in south central Los Angeles, California.   As reported in Wiki, they wrote the following: ”Hernandez, 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. 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 Hernandez to enter the WBA Jr. Lightweight rankings. 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. In what would turn out to be his last fight, on October 3 of 1998 he lost the crown to Floyd Mayweather Jr. by an 8th round retirement. In December of that year, 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 world Lightweight champion Cesar Bazan before the diagnosis.” [Full biography on Wiki Wiki] 

Gernaro with Photographer Mary Ann Owen (photo taken in 1999)

After Hernandez retired from boxing, he was diagnosed with a rare cancer that was stage four. Even though Hernandez had insurance it would not cover the treatment.

Hernandez was in remission in 2009, but in early 2010 the cancer had returned. Just three days before Hernandez died, it was announced that he would stop the Chemo treatments.

Source/WBC, WIKI Courtesy photo: WBC Press Release