Genaro Hernandez Passes Away

Dan Rafael is announcing Genaro Hernandez has passed away.

RIP champ and thanks for the memories.

Here is Chicanito's greatest night.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H589Vbmy-FA

RIP, Champ.. We'll miss ya..

RIP great champ.

I was expecting this pretty soon after I posted that thread the other day. I didn't think it would be 4 days. A real shame, he was such a great guy & a real nice fighter. I have to say it's always bugged me that he's not even had his name on the ballot for Canastota. I'm not saying everyone should vote for him (although I would), but he deserved a nomination imo.

I don't know if anyone has seen those Mayweather After Dark things on FightHype (basically At Home With Floyd would have been a better name). His house is full of stuff of him & Genaro. He's got the belt he won from him in pride & place. There's a seemingly never-ending array of photos of the two of them. He has a real genuine warmth about Genaro that doesn't come across when talking about any other person apart from his mother. Both he & Bob Arum, two of boxing most isolated & self-interested figures, have between them paid for medical treatment & helping support his family since he first got the disease. I think that as much as anything else tells you how great a guy he was.

RIP Champ

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JazMerkin

I was expecting this pretty soon after I posted that thread the other day. I didn't think it would be 4 days. A real shame, he was such a great guy & a real nice fighter. I have to say it's always bugged me that he's not even had his name on the ballot for Canastota. I'm not saying everyone should vote for him (although I would), but he deserved a nomination imo.

I don't know if anyone has seen those Mayweather After Dark things on FightHype (basically At Home With Floyd would have been a better name). His house is full of stuff of him & Genaro. He's got the belt he won from him in pride & place. There's a seemingly never-ending array of photos of the two of them. He has a real genuine warmth about Genaro that doesn't come across when talking about any other person apart from his mother. Both he & Bob Arum, two of boxing most isolated & self-interested figures, have between them paid for medical treatment & helping support his family since he first got the disease. I think that as much as anything else tells you how great a guy he was.

RIP Champ

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Every young fighter should have to watch how Hernandez responded to that late shot to the throat by Azumah Nelson. Genaro takes a vicious hook after the bell and goes down. He is given five minutes and if he declines to continue he wins the lineal 130 crown by DQ. What does Genaro do? He gets up and wins the damn title in the ring.

Exemplary.

I saw him defend his title for the first at Great Western Forum as a kid. Against Omar Catari. It went the distance. I was like 10 or 11 years old. I was with my dad and uncle (both now deceased). We were able to meet him afterwards. He wasn't the first fighter I met. But he was the first fighter I shook hands with. He was hella cool. Real down to earth. Didn't seem to mind the million questions coming from my drunk dad and uncle. Seemed to answer them all. I remember they were waiting for him. But he still took the time to acknowledge us. He said being champion was great. But that champion was still only just a word. He's no different than any other person. News of his death saddens me. But I'm glad his suffering is finally over. Hope the next news i hear of him is him being inducted into the Hall of Fame

Quote:

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Originally Posted by marbleheadmaui

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JazMerkin

I was expecting this pretty soon after I posted that thread the other day. I didn't think it would be 4 days. A real shame, he was such a great guy & a real nice fighter. I have to say it's always bugged me that he's not even had his name on the ballot for Canastota. I'm not saying everyone should vote for him (although I would), but he deserved a nomination imo.

I don't know if anyone has seen those Mayweather After Dark things on FightHype (basically At Home With Floyd would have been a better name). His house is full of stuff of him & Genaro. He's got the belt he won from him in pride & place. There's a seemingly never-ending array of photos of the two of them. He has a real genuine warmth about Genaro that doesn't come across when talking about any other person apart from his mother. Both he & Bob Arum, two of boxing most isolated & self-interested figures, have between them paid for medical treatment & helping support his family since he first got the disease. I think that as much as anything else tells you how great a guy he was.

RIP Champ

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Every young fighter should have to watch how Hernandez responded to that late shot to the throat by Azumah Nelson. Genaro takes a vicious hook after the bell and goes down. He is given five minutes and if he declines to continue he wins the lineal 130 crown by DQ. What does Genaro do? He gets up and wins the damn title in the ring.

Exemplary.

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Totally agree. Or how about when a week before the De La Hoya fight, Shane Mosley broke his nose in sparring. How many people would have pulled out of the fight at that stage or asked to reschedule? Instead, he refused to short-change fans or his opponent & went in. I still had Genaro winning 2 rounds, but Oscar targeted the nose & broke it in an additional 22 pieces forcing the stoppage.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Violent Demise

I saw him defend his title for the first at Great Western Forum as a kid. Against Omar Catari. It went the distance. I was like 10 or 11 years old. I was with my dad and uncle (both now deceased). We were able to meet him afterwards. He wasn't the first fighter I met. But he was the first fighter I shook hands with. He was hella cool. Real down to earth. Didn't seem to mind the million questions coming from my drunk dad and uncle. Seemed to answer them all. I remember they were waiting for him. But he still took the time to acknowledge us. He said being champion was great. But that champion was still only just a word. He's no different than any other person. News of his death saddens me. But I'm glad his suffering is finally over. Hope the next news i hear of him is him being inducted into the Hall of Fame

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Great story man & the part in bold sums up exactly how I feel. If Barry McGuigan, Jeff Fenech & Ingemar Johansson are there, then Chicanito more than deserves to be.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JazMerkin

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Violent Demise

I saw him defend his title for the first at Great Western Forum as a kid. Against Omar Catari. It went the distance. I was like 10 or 11 years old. I was with my dad and uncle (both now deceased). We were able to meet him afterwards. He wasn't the first fighter I met. But he was the first fighter I shook hands with. He was hella cool. Real down to earth. Didn't seem to mind the million questions coming from my drunk dad and uncle. Seemed to answer them all. I remember they were waiting for him. But he still took the time to acknowledge us. He said being champion was great. But that champion was still only just a word. He's no different than any other person. News of his death saddens me. But I'm glad his suffering is finally over. Hope the next news i hear of him is him being inducted into the Hall of Fame

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Great story man & the part in bold sums up exactly how I feel. If Barry McGuigan, Jeff Fenech & Ingemar Johansson are there, then Chicanito more than deserves to be.

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I think those comparisons are on the money. Of course I think all three were mistaken inductions, but what the hell do I know.

I think Genaro shares something more important with McGuigan and some other HOFers as well as men who aren't in the hall like John Conteh and Tony DeMarco and Howard Winstone and Virgil Hill. That is a near universal admiration for the way they conducted themselves both in and out of the ring. They brought integrity and honor and class to a sport that is too often rife with corruption and sleaze. In doing that they earned the undying respect and thanks of boxing fans, not just for their boxing accomplishments, but for who they were as men.

This one hurts man. It really does.,dammit.

I'll be watching some tapes tonight, thumbing through yellow score sheets and remembering a class Champion. That smile man, always huge and never forced,. Saying a prayer for his family. Thank you for the memories Genaro. Be at peace Champion.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Violent Demise

I saw him defend his title for the first at Great Western Forum as a kid. Against Omar Catari. It went the distance. I was like 10 or 11 years old. I was with my dad and uncle (both now deceased). We were able to meet him afterwards. He wasn't the first fighter I met. But he was the first fighter I shook hands with. He was hella cool. Real down to earth. Didn't seem to mind the million questions coming from my drunk dad and uncle. Seemed to answer them all. I remember they were waiting for him. But he still took the time to acknowledge us. He said being champion was great. But that champion was still only just a word. He's no different than any other person. News of his death saddens me. But I'm glad his suffering is finally over. Hope the next news i hear of him is him being inducted into the Hall of Fame

---

Thanks for the story.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JazMerkin

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Violent Demise

I saw him defend his title for the first at Great Western Forum as a kid. Against Omar Catari. It went the distance. I was like 10 or 11 years old. I was with my dad and uncle (both now deceased). We were able to meet him afterwards. He wasn't the first fighter I met. But he was the first fighter I shook hands with. He was hella cool. Real down to earth. Didn't seem to mind the million questions coming from my drunk dad and uncle. Seemed to answer them all. I remember they were waiting for him. But he still took the time to acknowledge us. He said being champion was great. But that champion was still only just a word. He's no different than any other person. News of his death saddens me. But I'm glad his suffering is finally over. Hope the next news i hear of him is him being inducted into the Hall of Fame

---

Great story man & the part in bold sums up exactly how I feel. If Barry McGuigan, Jeff Fenech & Ingemar Johansson are there, then Chicanito more than deserves to be.

---

I'm not gonna lie. Part of the reason I would like to see him inducted into the HOF is cuz of my experience with him and the fact that he's a Los Angeles guy like myself. But to leave it at that would be selling him short. The man had a very good career. He only lost twice. And both loses were to 2 future HOF fighters and potential ATG's (De La Hoya and Mayweather). Both fighters were in there prime. He was holding his own against De La Hoya. But like Jaz said Oscar did the smart thing and targeted the nose. Mayweather dominated him. But by that time Hernandez was passed his prime. He saw the writing on the wall. And did the smart thing. He walked away. And stayed away. He was honest with himself. He knew his championship days were over. Mayweather had just dominated him for the WBC. To much speed, skill and youth. The WBA kingpin was Casamayor. Another one with to much speed and skill. Not to mention a southpaw. The WBO was run by Acelino Freitas and Diego Corrales ruled the IBF. Two monster punchers. For all his skills, power was never Hernandez forte. So fuck it. If he can't be a championship fighter why stay in the game? He could of used a couple of more good names on his resume. But overall it was a good career. I see no reason he can't have a spot next to McGuigan and Ingo Bingo

RIP champ, Hernandez should be a role model for future fighters to come, not a prima donna just an honest fighter.

You will be missed, thanks for the story VD, I expect this hits you extra hard.

RIP Chicanito

May God bless Genaro and his family.

Sad, sad news... :(

May he rest in peace.

Say hello to all the other Greats that passed away.....You Are At Peace now CHAMP


Job Biscuit (Condolences to your family and friends)!!!


eh eh!!!

R.I.P champ

Jesus, 45 years old. That's shit for anyone and their family ....... never mind that he was a world champion boxer and, apparently, all around good guy.

That's too young an age to die.

one of the most humble people ever. A real good guy. This is such a tragedy to his family. A local boy from my back yard the OC. What a shame.

Que Dios te bendiga Champ

4 days.... I would of killed myself. 4 days? I'm just speechless :eek:

I really feel for his family. I hope he went peacefully, is all I can wish for right now.

a great fighter, but more importantly a great man, he always wore his heart on his sleeve in and out of the ring, never took the easy way out in his career as seen against Nelsonin life, nor in life he fought till the end

at least he's not suffering anymore and he can rest in peace

Rest In Peace Chicantito.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Violent Demise

I'm not gonna lie. Part of the reason I would like to see him inducted into the HOF is cuz of my experience with him and the fact that he's a Los Angeles guy like myself. But to leave it at that would be selling him short. The man had a very good career. He only lost twice. And both loses were to 2 future HOF fighters and potential ATG's (De La Hoya and Mayweather). Both fighters were in there prime. He was holding his own against De La Hoya. But like Jaz said Oscar did the smart thing and targeted the nose. Mayweather dominated him. But by that time Hernandez was passed his prime. He saw the writing on the wall. And did the smart thing. He walked away. And stayed away. He was honest with himself. He knew his championship days were over. Mayweather had just dominated him for the WBC. To much speed, skill and youth. The WBA kingpin was Casamayor. Another one with to much speed and skill. Not to mention a southpaw. The WBO was run by Acelino Freitas and Diego Corrales ruled the IBF. Two monster punchers. For all his skills, power was never Hernandez forte. So fuck it. If he can't be a championship fighter why stay in the game? He could of used a couple of more good names on his resume. But overall it was a good career. I see no reason he can't have a spot next to McGuigan and Ingo Bingo

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I remember hearing him on a TR international broadcast a few years ago where he said almost that exact thing. He said 'I always boxed because I wanted to be the best, in that fight I realized I wasn't the best no more & why would I lie to myself & the fans when I knew that'.

He deserves to be in there for me. Part of that is that he's part of the last generation of fighters, where you saw guys make their way to the top thanks to great technique & understanding of the sport rather than off having great athleticism & a clever promoter.

RIP Chicanito, solid fighter, he was also a very straight shooter. The guy told it like it was and was, and was very humble. Nobody can ever talk shit about him, gave it his all and won some great fights. I would vote him into the HOF for sure. Held the title for about 4 years, I dont know exactly what the criteria for the hall is but he would not shame it in any way if he was inducted. Also a very good commentator, who wouldnt show bias during his calls.

Genaro Hernandez Passes: A Class Act In And Out Of The Ring
Published: Jun 09 2011 by: Scott Levinson
Genaro Hernandez Passes
Boxing is saddened by the passing of a great champion and an even bigger class act. Genaro "Chicanito" Hernandez passed away yesterday after a long battle with a rare form of cancer.
Anyone who ever met Hernandez will corroborate my assessment of this man: Humble, friendly, and oozing with class. As a young boxing fan in So Cal, I met a lot of fighters and none made me feel as good as Hernandez did. He asked me questions, gave me a pat on the head, and told me to keep working hard. As he left the room, he scanned the room looking for me, giving me a wink before he made his exit. It's an image I'll never forget.
Longtime fight fans in So Cal might remember Genaro's brother Rudy, who won the first-ever of a popular tournament format that became a staple at the Forum. Word is Rudy put Forum-owner Jerry Buss in tears as he emotionally revelaed to Buss that he would take the money he won to help his uncle get an eye surgery. Rudy would end up being Genaro's trainer.
Hernandez turned pro in 1984. His talent was unmistakeable--a nearly 6-foot junior lightweight whose ruggedness belied his flimsy frame.* His rise to the top did not happen overnight, as Hernandez waited 7 long years for his shot, beating Daniel Londas for the vacant WBA belt in 1991.
For the first couple years of Hernandez' reign, he split time between the Forum and Japan--defeating two of their top contenders. Chicanito made 8 defenses, including wins over toughies like Raul Perez, Harold Warren, and Jorge Paez.
In 1995, he moved up in weight to notch a nice payday, losing by TKO to the more robust Oscar De La Hoya. But after 2 get-well ins, he was ready to make amends, taking on Junior Lightweight Champ-extraordinaire Azumah Nelson. The Ghanaian great was a little long in the tooth, but was in the midst of a late-career revival, having just scored consecutive knockouts over younger champions Gabriel Ruelas and Jesse James Leija.
It would be a bout that would characterize the grit and character of Hernandez. In the 7th round, Nelson hit Hernandez on the throat after the bell. Hernandez laid on the floor for at least five minutes. It looked to all those in attendance and watching on TV that Hernandez would take the DQ. He didn't have to fight.
But that wasn't what Chicanito was all about. He dusted himself off, shook off the pain, and proceeded to outbox the master to notch a split decision win. That embodied his spirit as a fighter. Hernandez would close out his second 130-pound reign with 3 more good defenses over rising talent, before running into the boxing genius of Floyd Mayweather, who stopped Hernandez after 8 rounds. It would be the only 130-pound bout Hernandez would ever lose.
Hernandez made enough money to take his family out of East LA, eventually settling in a nice home in Mission Viejo. His legacy is one of excellence and class. You won't find anyone who has a bad word to say about the guy. Sometimes when a man passes away, his tribute can be hyperbolic, where only the good stuff is remembered. With Chicanito, there is no overstating what a good guy he was. My condolences go out to his family, who should find some peace in the fact he will never be forgotten by those who were fortunate enough to know him. Rest in peace Genaro.
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