Former WBC Super Featherweight Champion Genaro Hernández Passes Away at 45

Two-time world featherweight champion Genaro Hernández (38-2-1, 17 KO) has lost his three-year battle with cancer at the age of 45. 

Hernandez' friend, Bill Caplan, reported the Mexican-American's death on Tuesday.

"Chicanito," who made his way up the boxing ranks in Southern California, achieved world-champion status when he defeated Daniel Londas in 1991 to win the WBA Super-Featherweight Championship.

He successfully defended the title six times before vacating it to challenge WBO Lightweight Champion Oscar De La Hoya.

Hernández would be unsuccessful in his lightweight bout, retiring after the sixth round due to an injury.

He then challenged Hall-of-Famer Azumah Nelson in 1997. He won a split-decision over 12 rounds to win the WBO Super-Featherweight Championship. Showing his great heart and respect for Nelson, Hernández tied the belt around Nelson's waist and let him wear it out of the ring.

He would defend the title three times before losing it to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the future pound-for-pound fighter's first major world title bout.

Current WBA Super-Middleweight Champion Andre Ward expressed tribute to Hernandez, who fought from 1984 to 1998, via Twitter:

"My prayers go out to the great champion Genaro Hernandez!!."

Interim WBO and WBA lightweight champion Robert Guerrero also paid tribute on his Twitter:

"R.I.P Genaro Hernandez. You were a great friend and true warrior. God bless your soul."