| Roberto García Cortez | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Roberto García Cortez |
| Nickname(s) | Grandpa |
| Rated at | Lightweight Super Featherweight Featherweight |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (174 cm) |
| Reach | 68 in (174 cm) |
| Nationality | American |
| Born | January 29, 1975 San Pedro, California |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 37 |
| Wins | 34 |
| Wins by KO | 25 |
| Losses | 3 |
| Draws | 0 |
| No contests | 0 |
Roberto García Cortez, (born on January 29, 1975 in San Pedro, California), is a retired Mexican-American professional boxer in the Lightweight division and is currently considered one of the best trainers in boxing.[1] He is also the former IBF Super Featherweight Champion[2] and was trained by his father Eduardo Garcia at the popular La Colonia Youth Boxing Club.[3][4] He's brother is considered one of the best Featherweight contenders, Miguel Ángel García.[5]
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García grew up and still resides in Oxnard, California. He even trained world champions with his Father at La Colonia Boxing Club.
Roberto had a very good amateur career and even fought future Olympic Gold Medalist Oscar De La Hoya.[6]
Known as "Grandpa", García won his pro debut against Tsutomu Hitono at the International Center in Fukuoka, Japan.[7] He accumulated a record of 20-0, which included a win against future champion Derrick Gainer, before challenging for his first regional title.
In 1995 he took down the previously unbeaten American Julian Wheeler to win his first belt, the NABF Super Featherweight Championship.[8] Roberto successfully defended his Championship just three months later against Francisco Segura.[9]
At the Miami Arena, Roberto would move down to Featherweight and beat Darryl Pinckney to win the NABF Featherweight Championship.[10]
On March 13, 1998 a then undefeated García (29-0) captured the vacant IBF Super Featherweight Championship with a unanimous decision win over Harold Warren.[11] In his first title defense he knocked out Cuban Ramon Ledon at the Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New Jersey.[12]
Roberto's next fight was against two-time World Champion, Puerto Rico's John John Molina. García defeated Molina over twelve rounds, that fight card also featured Mike Tyson, Zab Judah, and Fres Oquendo.[13]
He lost the belt in an upset to rising undefeated Mexican American phenom Diego Corrales. After a win over title contender Sandro Marcos he moved back up in the world rankings.
In January 2001, he earned a shot at the undefeated WBA Super Featherweight champion Joel Casamayor. Casamayor won the fight and Garcia retired shortly after beating veteran John Trigg by knockout.
Garcia formally worked as a trainer at La Colonia Gym in Oxnard, California. Notable fighters who have trained under Nonito Donaire. Most recently he opened his own boxing gym named Robert Garcia Boxing Academy in Oxnard, California.[14][15]
García is the first boxing trainer in history to star in his own reality show, titled 'The Roberto García Reality Show'. The show is produced by award winning reporter Elie Seckbach.[17]
| Preceded by Arturo Gatti Vacates |
IBF Super Featherweight Champion 13 Mar 1998– 23 Oct 1999 |
Succeeded by Diego Corrales |