He’s Trying to Live Up to Nickname

ANAHEIM —  The moniker Carlos “Famous” Hernandez got from his grandfather as a little boy does not yet fit him. But that doesn’t mean Hernandez, 26, isn’t trying to live up to it.

Hernandez is trying to live up to a lot of things and please a lot of people, but his fists, good looks and out-going personality can only do so much. Now Hernandez, a world-ranked junior lightweight from Bellflower who is of Salvadoran descent, is seeking a little help from the boxing hierarchy, and maybe a little help from above.

After winning his professional debut Jan 23., 1992--on his 21st birthday--in a four-round decision over Victor Trinidad at the Irvine Marriott, Hernandez (24-1-1 with 14 knockouts) has steadily worked his way up the rankings and into the top 10 despite managerial problems much of his career. His only loss came in September, 1995, at Caesars Tahoe to Aaron Zarate in a 10-round decision.

Hernandez has won his last three fights handily, including an eighth-round knockout of Detroit’s Bernard Harris on April 7 at the Pond. Harris collapsed after the bout and was rushed to a hospital.

As his record and skills improve, Hernandez’s frustration mounts. He is ranked sixth by the World Boxing Organization and 11th by the World Boxing Council, but tonight at the Pond he will fight journeyman Jose Montes (19-12, 12 knockouts) of Mexico City for less than $8,000 on Fox Sports West.

Decent money and nice exposure, but far short of the pay day and attention the boxer with the flashy nickname wants.

“It’s been a little frustrating,” said Hernandez, biting his tongue as if he wanted to say more. “I’d like to get a title shot. I’d like to provide for my fiancee [Veronica Macias] and I’d like to settle down and buy a house.”

But Hernandez should know by now that nothing comes easy in the boxing business. He’s changed managers a couple times--leaving Jackie McCoy and then team De La Hoya for his current manager, Jack Lipeles. He’s searching for a new promoter--his three-year deal with Forum Boxing expired in April.

His bout with Montes almost didn’t happen. Lipeles and Forum Boxing promoter John Jackson were squabbling over a contract for tonight’s fight until Friday afternoon.

Lipeles said he has spoken to Don King, Dan Goossen of America Presents, Top Rank and Forum Boxing about a new contract.

“We’d like to be loyal to Forum Boxing, but we’re going to go with whoever can give us a title shot,” Lipeles said.

If Hernandez leaves Forum Boxing, he would join world champions Mark Johnson, Genaro Hernandez and David Kamau.

“We need exposure, a title shot and we need more money,” Lipeles said.

But Jackson said Hernandez has not yet earned the right to any of the above.

“He’s an exciting fighter, a good-looking guy, he speaks well and he’s promotable,” Jackson said. “How good a fighter is he? He’s a good fighter, but he hasn’t fought a great fight. Famous needs to have one of those fights.”

Jackson believes Hernandez might have missed an opportunity to have one of those fights when he took nine months off because of managerial problems and injuries.

“You don’t not fight and get a title shot,” Jackson said.

The two toughest fights of Hernandez’s career have been with Zarate and Goyo Vargas, a former world featherweight champion. He lost a close decision to Zarate and won an exciting 10-round decision over Vargas in January at the Forum.

“Vargas was a tough guy and Carlos’ stock went up after that,” Jackson said. “But very often, champions don’t want to fight guys ranked in the top 10. It’s too dangerous. They only fight the guys they have to, the mandatories.”

Mandatory title defenses only come about once a year and champions are only required to fight the No. 1-ranked opponent. So until Hernandez works his way up the rankings ladder of the three major boxing organizations, he can only hope a higher-ranked opponent will give him a shot.

Hernandez believes he is not only fighting for himself and his family but also for El Salvador, which has never produced a world champion boxer.

“I just feel like it’s my country, too,” he said. In January, he received an award from President Armando Calderon Sol.

As a boy, Hernandez often traveled to El Salvador to visit his grandfather. It was on one of those visits that his grandfather gave him his name.

“I was always getting into fights and I’d usually make the other kids cry. That’s when my grandfather said: ‘This kid’s going to be famous someday.’ ”

But when is that someday?

If Hernandez’s situation sounds a little desperate, it is. It’s also slightly dangerous. One loss to a nobody such as Montes could be devastating. Montes is a last-minute stand-in for Raul Franco, who pulled out last week because of a shoulder injury.

“This is a very dangerous fight,” Hernandez said. “Montes is an opponent I don’t know anything about. I’m sure he’s out to try and beat me and make a name for himself.”

Hernandez already has the name. Now he just needs the fame.

Boxing Notes

The Carlos Hernandez-Jose Montes 10-round main event will begin at 9 p.m. In the 10-round semi-main event at 8 p.m., featherweight Jorge Monzon (12-4, eight knockouts) of Mexico City faces Roberto Villareal (20-10-1, 13 knockouts) of Coahuila, Mexico. The undercard begins at 7:15 p.m.