MISSION VIEJO, Calif. – Two-time world super featherweight champion Genaro Hernandez has died at his home of a rare cancer. He was 45.
Hernandez's wife, Liliana Hernandez, said he died Tuesday of rhabdomyosarcoma, which attacks muscle fibers.
Hernandez, nicknamed Chicanito (little Mexican), was born in South Central Los Angeles and began his professional boxing career in the mid-1980s. He was WBA super featherweight champion from 1991-94 and WBC super featherweight champion from 1997-98.
He retired in 1998 due to a small blood clot in his brain. He finished his career with a record of 38-2-1 with 17 knockouts. His only losses came to Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Oscar De La Hoya.
In addition to his wife, Hernandez is survived by his son, Steven; his daughter, Amanda; three brothers; two sisters; and his father.
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