26 years ago: Genaro Zuasna "Chicanito" Hernández vs. "Pretty Boy" Floyd Joy Sinclair Mayweather Jr.

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A true crossroads torch-passing match-up. 32 year old Hernández was ranked #1 in the world by Ring Magazine at super featherweight - but 21 year old Mayweather had been expected to fast-track his way to a championship after being robbed and forced to settle for a bronze medal in Atlanta.

So it was - the first world title victory in the pros for the brash youngster, and the final bout in the career of the respected Mexican-American. To put things in perspective, this was PBF's first step up to a twelve round scheduled distance, period - while Chicanito was on an excellent run of form defeating Azumah Nelson the year before and making three solid defenses. Furthermore, the defending champ had a three inch (7cm) height advantage, but lost the jab battle in part due to having the same reach as the challenger and in equally large part because Mayweather had such elite quickness and timing at 130lbs - and would attack in combinations to body and head with a fair amount of zip.

Genaro was by no means shot - in fact, he was planning a comeback fight versus César Bazán Pérez for the WBC lightweight belt just a couple of months after this loss (only his second ever, the first being to ODLH) when the unfortunate discovery of a serious blood clot led to his permanent retirement - but he was in with someone that was both younger and better to an overwhelming degree, such that his brother Rudy had no choice but to pull the plug.

He would pass away just thirteen years later from cancer. Mayweather - by then boxing's top star but still grateful and respectful for the man that paved his way - paid for his funeral.

 

Genaro's middle name was a pain in the culo to find.