Exclusive Interview With Genaro Hernandez

By Ed Ludwig

03.06 - I recently had the pleasure of speaking with former two-time world champion Genaro "Chicanito" Hernandez. Since hanging up the gloves, Hernandez has been working on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights tabulating the punch stats for compubox and most recently working the recent broadcasts on NBC in the same capacity. He is also a physical fitness trainer in Southern California training people one on one and working for Merrill Lynch providing his insight and training to the corporate world. Genaro Hernandez retired from the ring in 1998 with an impressive record consisting of 38-2-1 with 17 KO's. I would like to thank him for taking the time to speak with Eastside Boxing.

Ed Ludwig: You gave boxing fans many action packed fights over the years. Which one stands out as your favourite?

Genaro Hernandez: I would say Azumah Nelson. I think people had a bad impression because of the Oscar De La Hoya fight. The commentators made a mistake during the broadcast in regards to my injury. The cartilage bone in my nose was shattered in twenty-two pieces. I had reconstructive surgery and right after that in the gym I broke it again because of a head butt.

EL: In your fight with Azumah Nelson you took a hard shot to the throat and you were in some discomfort as a result of it. At any point did you or your corner think about stopping the fight?

GH: I did not want to win on a disqualification. I was controlling the fight and when the punch landed I couldn't even feel my face. The referee then told me if I didn't continue I would lose the fight. I was going to beat Azumah the way a true champion should be beat and that is by fighting. The time I had to recuperate gave me the time to recover.

EL: How did you get into boxing?

GH: Before I started I didn't really know what I wanted to be. My dad used to take my brother Rudy to the gym for training and I tagged along. I was playing soccer then decided on a boxing career.

EL: Eddie Mustafa Muhammad along with Teamsters has put together a union for boxers. Do you thinks it's a good idea and can it work?

GH: I think it's a very good idea but I'm not sure if it will work. There are Olympic fighters signing huge contracts before stepping in the ring for the first time and they make more money then current world champions and I have to ask why? Is it because they are out of the Olympics and/or medal winners? That is one thing that won't change. When I was WBA champion they offered Oscar De La Hoya 1.5 million or something like that and a half million for me. I don't agree with the ranking system either as many guys don't deserve the positions they have. Overall I don't believe anything will change that much.

EL: During your career you travelled to Japan and France. What was it like fighting overseas?

GH: France was a great experience until I beat their champion. There was a trophy made before the fight for Daniel Londas whom I was challenging for the vacant WBA Super Featherweight title. There is a plaque and I will read it to you. "From the city of Epernay this trophy is presented to the new world champion Daniel Londas". I have the trophy and I'm leaving the plaque the way it is. Japan was very nice and I enjoyed it. People are very kind and respectful.

EL: When a fighter travels to a foreign country, different food and culture, should they be careful of what they eat?

GH: I was not worried. I fought three times in Japan I never worried about the food. It's not like people are trying poison you before a fight so there was never anything for me to be concerned about.

EL: Many boxers today stay away from countries like Germany and Denmark because of bad decisions against the foreigner. Were you at all concerned about fighting abroad during your career or was it different then what we see today?

GH: You have to be careful of the promoter but it's the same in any country. The advantage goes to the promoter who is hosting the fight. Bad decisions happen all the time. I was not distracted when fighting elsewhere. Fighters who are protected and judges concern me. When I fought Oscar I knew I was never going to win the fight on points. They had me down by five points on every scorecard. I asked for a rematch and Bob Arum wouldn't give it to me.

EL: How did you get involved with working on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights?

GH: I worked for Top Rank after I retired and that was for a year then I was released. I was told there was financial trouble and they had to let me go. At a show I talked to Bob and Logan who do punch stats and said if they ever need help with anything to give me a call and let me know. The same day they called and asked if I would be interested in doing punch stats and I said yes. The next show that came up at the time was on HBO and that was were I got my start.

EL: Punch stats look difficult because you have to stay 100% focused and not get distracted. Is it hard as it looks?

GH: The only thing people have to understand is sometimes the referee gets in the way and you can't always tell if it landed or not but I would not say it's hard.

EL: You are teaching physical training. Can you tell me about that?

GH: I am a personal trainer for people who want to do cardio boxing for a good work out. I teach one on one and visit homes to train them here in Orange County. I also do training for a company called Merrill Lynch. I met a fellow on the plane and he asked me what my trip was about so I told him I was a professional fighter now retired and teaching personal training in Orange County. From that point I have been working for Merrill Lynch. These days to find a good job you need a degree so I chose the path I am on now.

EL: Would you be interested in pursuing a career in commentary?

GH: Yes, initially was in the running that to be alongside Bob Papa on the broadcasts that were on NBC. I was told that I expressed myself well yet in the end they chose Raul. Marquez as he was already doing the Telefutura show prior to the NBC shows. I've had some bad luck with Raul Marquez. I lost the HBO Latino job because I did not have a promo tape yet many were available so in the end it was too late. I really wanted to get that show. Broadcasting is what I'll keep on shooting for.

EL: Is there anything you would like to say to your fans?

GH: I would just like to thank them so much for rooting for me and accepting the fact that I always did my best. Losing the fight to Oscar De La Hoya really hurt me emotionally. People did not realize the severity of my injury. I also want people to remember me as a nice guy and not so much a fighter.

EL: Thank you very much for your time Genaro and I wish you the best in your future endeavours.

GH: Your very welcome. Thank you and take care.

If you live in the Orange County area and are interested in having Genaro Hernandez teach you cardio boxing then please contact him at genaroh@earthlink.net