Genaro Mendez: “I Want to Leave my Mark”

I have spent numerous days over the past few weeks with Welterweight Southpaw Genaro Mendez while he has been in camp for this Saturday’s Fight Night at the Horseshoe show. I have attended training and sparring sessions at Garfield Park Gym while he trains with trainer George Hernandez. And, I have met with him during training at his own establishment in the northern suburbs of Highland Park, at Pound 4 Pound Boxfit.

I have gathered so much video and personal conversations with the champ and one this is prevalent… his love of the sport and how boxing is his life. I am fortunate enough that it is something that I love doing.

Mendez is scheduled to enter the Hitz Boxing [website] ring on August 22nd at the Horseshoe in Hammond, IN. His opponent is Agustin Cicero of Indiana for the vacant Universal Boxing Federation US-Midwest Welterweight championship.

#theBIZ: It is Fight Week! How are you containing your excitement?

Mendez: You know… I am just ready to go man. To be honest, this is long overdue. I have been training way too hard and I am just ready to get in there and do my thing.

(Getting noticeably anxious) Seeing this UBF belt, I am beyond excited.

#theBIZ: How is camp going, ahead of your championship bout?

Mendez: Camp has been good. We trained hard. We are ready. We are excited about the (Universal Boxing Federation US-Midwest) belt. It is going to be a great night.

George (Hernandez) pushed us hard. I don’t think George knows how to chill. George knows how to go in there and wants everyone to have that military mindset. That is George. I love that dude! He has me ready. We have all these killers in there (referencing Adrian Granados, Ed Brown, Nate Gallimore, Eddie Ramirez and more at Garfield Park). We are all ready!

#theBIZ: For those that do not know, who is Genaro Mendez?

Mendez: (Humbly speaking) I’m me. I am just me. I am one of millions of boxers in this sport trying to make something, trying to leave their mark. What else can I say?

#theBIZ: What was your amateur background?

Mendez: I had a few fights here and there. In 1999, the neighborhood started changing and we moved to Waukegan. From then on, I felt like this is what I wanted to do.

I fought at the Golden Gloves a few times. I won in 2010 and went to Nationals. After that, I turned pro and we are here now.

My focus was always to turn pro. I grew up watching Chavez and Oscar De La Hoya and that was what I wanted to do, come out to Mexican music and fight like them. That was what drew me to boxing. I fell in love with it.

#theBIZ: There are a ton of different sports available: baseball, football, soccer, golf. What made you choose boxing?

Mendez: I just think that certain people are just born with the fighter within them.

To go back to the beginning, I was born a twin. My twin passed away. I was supposed to pass away. But my parents always told me, “You have been fighting since you were young. You made it. You have always been fighting.”

I always felt like I was a fighter. I hate quitting. I hate not committing myself to certain things. I have to keep pushing forward for my family.

Whether it be in boxing or business, I want to leave my mark. I want to show my kids, show my family, or just show someone out there that thinks they cannot do it, that “You can do it!” If you are willing to work hard, nothing is impossible.

#theBIZ: Who is part of Team Mendez?

Mendez: George Hernandez is my trainer. George is a big part of me and my team. George was always there for me. He will bring it out of ya. When guys are struggling, George will feed them, give them somewhere to sleep. He is a genuine person. He does care about all of his fighters.

My brother (Miguel Guadarrama) also. My brother works with me too.

Danny, another trainer working here (Pound 4 Pound Box Fit), works my corner.

My mother is my biggest fan. She bought my first pair of shoes and my first gym membership. She is a big part of why I am doing this.

Glenn Muller is my manager. Glenn is one of my best friends. He is always there for me and I am for him. In business, he has helped me out so much too.

#theBIZ: You have already faced Cicero back in 2012, scoring the decision win in what many called your match the Bout of the Night. It was a hard fought victory, so what could the fans expect on August 22nd from Genaro Mendez?

Mendez: Having this belt on the line, that was more of an incentive for George to push me harder and make me work harder.

I am more ready now than last time. I am smarter. I’m in better conditioning, in better shape. Over the last couple years, I have grown as a fighter and really dedicated myself to not being half in/half out. I put everything together as far as for my health and fitness and everything.

I know he is going to come ready to fight, especially with the belt on the line. I know he is gonna come and try to win. This is an opportunity for him to get back up to something and it is on me to not overlook or overestimate anyone. I never do. Anyone can beat you on any day or any night. It doesn’t matter if the guy is 10-0 or 0-10, anybody can whoop your @ss on any given night. I train hard for whoever it is. It don’t care what his record is. If we fought before or not, it doesn’t matter. I don’t even think about that fight. That fight does not count to me.

The 22nd is a whole another fight and I am going to be ready for what he brings.

Fans can expect me to push it and fight hard. What he bring to the table, I have nothing to do with that. But I hope he comes and gives the fans a great fight and we give the fans a good show. Believe me, I will do my part.

– Produced by M2 Productions by T. Cabanban for Genaro Mendez

#theBIZ: The UBF prides itself on redeveloping integrity in the sport. What does that mean to Genaro Mendez to be competing for the opportunity to join the UBF family?

Mendez: I am excited for the opportunity to fight for the UBF. It is a growing organization with a lot of potential. I am going to keep this title right here where it belongs.

#theBIZ: Who are your supporters?

Mendez: I thank God for the opportunities that I got and the people that I have met, they showed me that there is more to just growing up in Chicago in the f*cked up neighborhoods. So, I have been fortunate and bless in many people that literally dragged me out to the right track and now I get this opportunity and it means a lot.

Muller Acura of Merrilleville [website]

James – Pool Company

I also appreciate the support from Bobby Hitz. He has given me great opportunities.

#theBIZ: Any statements for your fans and supporters?

Mendez: I am going to continue to work hard to win this belt and hopefully make people see “Damn! He did it!”

#theBIZ: Nonetheless, You have done it. You’re very successful outside of the ring – owning your own business up in the North Shore can you tell people about your gym and the clients who call your gym home?

Mendez: My gym is called Pound 4 Pound Box Fit [website]. It is pretty much a private gym. Everything is by appointment. We train a variety of athletes, football players, current Bears players, former Bears players, a lot of CEOs, lawyers. It is a good business. We have a good clientele and a good reputation.

#theBIZ: How can fans follow the Champ?

Mendez: I am on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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As we were leaving his gym today (Thursday, August 20, 2015) Mendez’s daughter asked him, “Daddy? When you win this belt, can I have it?”

Mendez responded in such an soft tone, “I am going to bring it home for the family.” #RESPECT