Hernandez Defends Title at Forum

Genaro Hernandez, the first Los Angeles-born professional boxing champion since lightweight Art Frias was a champion in 1981-1982, makes the first defense of his World Boxing Assn.’s junior-lightweight championship tonight at the Forum.

Hernandez (24-0) meets Venezuelan Omar Catari (10-3), a bronze medalist at featherweight at the 1984 Olympic Games.

Hernandez won his 130-pound title last Nov. 22 in Epernay, France, with a ninth-round stoppage of Daniel Londas. Catari, the WBA’s 10th-ranked junior-lightweight, didn’t turn pro until 1989 after the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984.

Neither boxer in tonight’s main event is known for power. Hernandez, 25, has just 12 knockouts and Catari, 27, has two. Born and raised in South-Central Los Angeles, Hernandez is a tall (5-11) technician who uses his left jab to keep opponents at long range. Also tonight: Light-flyweights Jesus Chong vs. Francisco Montiel, and light-heavyweights Bomani Parker vs. Ernesto Magdaleno.