Robert Garcia (American boxer)
| Robert Garcia | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Garcia in 2011 | |
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Roberto Garcia Cortez |
| Nickname(s) | Grandpa |
| Weight(s) | |
| Height | 5 ft 7 1⁄2 in (171 cm) |
| Reach | 67 in (170 cm) |
| Nationality | American |
| Born |
January 29, 1975 San Pedro, Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 37 |
| Wins | 34 |
| Wins by KO | 25 |
| Losses | 3 |
Roberto Garcia Cortez (born January 29, 1975), best known as Robert Garcia, is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1992 to 2001, and held the IBF junior lightweight title from 1998 to 1999. He has since worked as a boxing trainer, and was voted Trainer of the Year by The Ring magazine in 2011, and by the Boxing Writers Association of America in 2012.[1][2] Garcia is the older brother of professional boxer Mikey Garcia, who himself is a former junior lightweight world champion.[3]
Early life
Born in San Pedro, Los Angeles, Garcia grew up and still resides in Oxnard, California, and was trained by his father Eduardo Garcia at the La Colonia Youth Boxing Club.[4][5] Garcia said that he has been in Oxnard, California, since he was two years old.[6] Garcia said that he considers himself to be a Mexican, and Garcia said that his father and mother are both of Mexican descent.[7] Garcia said that his parents were illegal immigrants until the eighties.[8] Garcia said that he grew up speaking Spanish, and Garcia said that he learned to speak English when he went to school.[9][10]
Amateur career
Garcia had an extensive amateur career, which included a fight with future Olympic Gold Medalist Oscar De La Hoya.[11]
Professional career
Known as "Grandpa", Garcia won his pro debut against Tsutomu Hitono at the International Center in Fukuoka, Japan.[12] He accumulated a record of 20–0, which included a win against future champion Derrick Gainer, before challenging for his first regional title.
NABF super featherweight champion
In 1995 he took down the previously unbeaten American Julian Wheeler to win his first belt, the NABF Super Featherweight Championship.[13] He successfully defended his Championship just three months later against Francisco Segura.[14]
NABF featherweight champion
At the Miami Arena, Garcia moved down to Featherweight and beat Darryl Pinckney to win the NABF Featherweight Championship.[15]
IBF super featherweight champion
On March 13, 1998 a then undefeated Garcia (29–0) captured the vacant IBF Super Featherweight Championship with a unanimous decision win over Harold Warren.[16] In his first title defense he knocked out Cuban Ramon Ledon at the Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New Jersey.[17]
His next fight was against two-time World Champion, Puerto Rico's John John Molina. Garcia defeated Molina over twelve rounds; that fight card also featured Mike Tyson, Zab Judah, and Fres Oquendo.[18] He lost the belt in an upset to rising undefeated phenom Diego Corrales. After a win over title contender Sandro Marcos he moved back up in the world rankings.
WBA super featherweight title challenge and retirement
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.
Training career
Garcia formally worked as a trainer at La Colonia Gym in Oxnard, California. Notable fighters who have trained under Garcia include Nonito Donaire. Most recently he opened his own boxing gym named Robert Garcia Boxing Academy in Oxnard, California.[19][20]
Notable boxers trained
- Miguel Ángel García, the current WBO, and Ring Magazine Featherweight Champion.
- Fernando Vargas, a former two-time World Light Middleweight Champion.
- Brandon Ríos, a former WBA World Lightweight Champion.
- Steven Luevano, a former WBO World Featherweight Champion and made five successful defenses.
- Nonito Donaire, a four division World Champion and former Ring Magazine pound for pound fighter.
- Evgeny Gradovich, a former IBF Featherweight Champion.
- Kelly Pavlik, a former Lineal Middleweight Champion.[21]
- Marcos René Maidana, a former WBA Welterweight Champion and former WBA Light Welterweight champion.
- Antonio Margarito, a former two-time World Welterweight Champion.
- Hernán Márquez, the current WBA World Flyweight Champion.
- Marco Antonio Rubio, former WBF World Super Middleweight Champion.
- Mia St. John, a, former WIBA, WIBF Lightweight, and WBC Light Middleweight, Champion.
- Brian Viloria, a former WBC and IBF Light Flyweight Champion.
- Joan Guzmán, a former two divisions WBO World Champion.
- Jesus Cuellar, a former WBA Fedelatin Featherweight Champion.
- Christopher Algieri, the current WBO World Light Welterweight Champion.
- Irving García, a Lightweight prospect.
- Felipe Campa, a former WBC Youth World Super Bantamweight Champion.
- Andrew Ruiz, an undefeated Light Welterweight prospect.
- Erik Ruiz, a Super Bantamweight prospect.
- Hanzel Martínez, a Bantamweight prospect and the brother in law of Antonio Margarito.
- Marcos Reyes, a Middleweight contender.
- Victor Pasillas, an undefeated Featherweight prospect.
- Egidijus Kavaliauskas, he represented Lithuania at the 2008, 2012 Olympics Games and is a 2011 World Amateur Boxing Championships bronze medalist.
- Michael Finney, a Light Welterweight prospect.
- Jesús Antonio Hernández, a Lightweight prospect.
- Manuel Quezada, a Heavyweight contender.
- Allan Benitez, a Lightweight prospect.
- Alfonso Blanco, an undefeated Light Middleweight prospect.
- Alfonso Gómez, a competitor on The Contender.
- Mark Suárez, a former WBO NABO Welterweight Champion.
- Francisco Contreras, a Lightweight contender.
- Victor Ortíz, a former WBC welterweight champion.
- Abner Mares, the current WBA featherweight champion.
Professional boxing record
| Professional record summary | ||
| 37 fights | 34 wins | 3 losses |
| By knockout | 25 | 3 |
| By decision | 9 | 0 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | Win | 34–3 | John Trigg | TKO | 4 (6), 3:00 | Sep 22, 2001 | Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 36 | Loss | 33–3 | Joel Casamayor | TKO | 9 (12), 1:14 | Jan 6, 2001 | Texas Station, North Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | For WBA super featherweight title |
| 35 | Win | 33–2 | Sandro Marcos | UD | 8 | Jul 29, 2000 | Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. | |
| 34 | Loss | 32–2 | Ben Tackie | TKO | 10 (10), 0:35 | Jun 3, 2000 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 33 | Loss | 32–1 | Diego Corrales | TKO | 7 (12), 0:48 | Oct 23, 1999 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Lost IBF super featherweight title |
| 32 | Win | 32–0 | John John Molina | UD | 12 | Jan 16, 1999 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Retained IBF super featherweight title |
| 31 | Win | 31–0 | Ramon Ledon | KO | 5 (12), 0:58 | Oct 24, 1998 | Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | Retained IBF super featherweight title |
| 30 | Win | 30–0 | Harold Warren | UD | 12 | Mar 13, 1998 | Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Miami, Florida, U.S. | Won vacant IBF super featherweight title |
| 29 | Win | 29–0 | Roy Simpson | TKO | 1 | Jul 19, 1997 | Nashville Arena, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. | |
| 28 | Win | 28–0 | Angel Aldama | TKO | 5, 1:09 | Jun 28, 1997 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 27 | Win | 27–0 | Ramon Sanchez | KO | 2 | Dec 7, 1996 | Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S. | |
| 26 | Win | 26–0 | Jose Herrera | TKO | 4 | Oct 13, 1996 | Port Hueneme, California, U.S. | |
| 25 | Win | 25–0 | Jose Luis Madrid | KO | 3 | Jun 29, 1996 | Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S. | |
| 24 | Win | 24–0 | Darryl Pinckney | UD | 12 | Mar 23, 1996 | Miami Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | Won vacant NABF featherweight title |
| 23 | Win | 23–0 | Eduardo Montes | TKO | 4 (10), 2:20 | Jan 27, 1996 | Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. | |
| 22 | Win | 22–0 | Francisco Segura | TKO | 12 (12), 1:10 | Jul 29, 1995 | Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. | Retained NABF super featherweight title |
| 21 | Win | 21–0 | Julian Wheeler | UD | 12 | Apr 21, 1995 | Arizona Charlie's Decatur, Las Vegas, Nevada | Won vacant NABF super featherweight title |
| 20 | Win | 20–0 | Israel Gonzalez Bringas | TKO | 4 (8), 1:17 | Mar 21, 1995 | Arizona Charlie's Decatur, Las Vegas, Nevada | |
| 19 | Win | 19–0 | Lorenzo Tiznado | TKO | 7 (10), 3:00 | Feb 18, 1995 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 18 | Win | 18–0 | Roberto Villareal | TKO | 5 | Dec 10, 1994 | Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 17 | Win | 17–0 | Derrick Gainer | UD | 10 | Nov 18, 1994 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 16 | Win | 16–0 | Bobby Brewer | KO | 3 (10) | Sep 24, 1994 | Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 15 | Win | 15–0 | Frank Avelar | KO | 2 (10) | Aug 27, 1994 | Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 14 | Win | 14–0 | Orlando Euceda | TKO | 6 (8), 3:00 | Jul 29, 1994 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 13 | Win | 13–0 | Raul Contreras | KO | 6 | Jun 24, 1994 | Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 12 | Win | 12–0 | Gabriel Castro | PTS | 6 | Mar 20, 1994 | Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 11 | Win | 11–0 | Jose Herrera | PTS | 6 | Mar 12, 1994 | Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | James Dean | KO | 2 (8) | Feb 4, 1994 | Civic Auditorium, Oxnard, California, U.S. | |
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Hector Diaz | KO | 2, 2:56 | Jan 9, 1994 | Del Mar, California, U.S. | |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Agapito Navarro | KO | 1 | Dec 23, 1993 | Barona Casino, Lakeside, California, U.S. | |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Fred Hernandez | TKO | 3 | Oct 30, 1993 | America West Arena, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Abel Hinojosa | TKO | 1 (6), 1:35 | Aug 5, 1993 | The Aladdin, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Victor Flores | UD | 6 | Mar 22, 1993 | Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S. | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Francisco Arroyo | RTD | 5 (6), 3:00 | Mar 1, 1993 | Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S. | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Jun Peat Hitachi | TKO | 5 | Nov 20, 1992 | Metropolitan Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Ikuma Shigehara | KO | 2 | Sep 5, 1992 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Tsutomu Hitono | KO | 2 | Jul 15, 1992 | Convention Center, Fukuoka, Japan | Professional debut |
See also
References
- ↑ Fischer, Doug (2011-12-27). "Trainer of the Year for 2011". The Ring Magazine. Retrieved 2011-12-27.
- ↑ Roberto Garcia profile, Boxrec.com, 2012-04-01; retrieved 2012-05-17.
- ↑ Velin, Bob (January 17, 2010). "Mikey Garcia goes from police academy to the prize ring". USA Today.
- ↑ Eduardo Garcia (boxer) profile, Boxrec.com; retrieved 2012-05-17.
- ↑ "Robert Garcia Fundraiser a success", Fightnews (2010-10-18); retrieved 2012-05-17.
- ↑ In a video which was published to YouTube on February 20, 2012, Garcia then said, "Uh 'cause this is, 'cause this, this is where I'm from. This is where I grew up. I been in Oxnard since I was two years old. Uh, I know Oxnard. I love Oxnard." This quote starts at the 7:48 mark of the video, and this quote ends at the 7:59 mark of the video.
- ↑ In a video which was published to YouTube on December 2, 2015, Garcia said, "Both my dad and my mom are both fucking a hundred percent Mexican. That makes me a Mexican. Right? Right? That makes me a Mexican." This quote starts at the 0:55 mark of the video, and this quote ends at the 1:05 mark of the video.
- ↑ In a video which was published to YouTube on December 2, 2015, Garcia said, "Fool! My parents were illegal until I, the eighties! My parents were illegal until the eighties!" This quote starts at the 2:22 mark of the video, and this quote ends at the 2:29 mark of the video.
- ↑ In a video which was published to YouTube on December 2, 2015, Garcia said, "We grew up Mexican, fool! We grew up fucking speaking Spanish. We grew up fucking Mexican." This quote starts at the 0:18 mark of the video, and this quote ends at the 0:22 mark of the video.
- ↑ In a video which was published to YouTube on December 2, 2015, Garcia said, "Hey! I was raised fucking straight up Mexican, fool! I didn't learn Span-, I didn't learn English until fucking I was in school!" This quote starts at the 2:05 mark of the video, and this quote ends at the 2:12 mark of the video.
- ↑ Oscar De la Hoya|Roberto 'Grandpa' Garcia (a) 1/1. YouTube (2009-04-17); retrieved 2012-05-17.
- ↑ Tsutomu Hitono v Garcia, Boxrec.com (1992-07-15); retrieved 2012-05-17.
- ↑ NABF Super Featherweight Championship, boxrec.com (1995-04-21); retrieved 2012-05-17.
- ↑ Saturday 29 July 1995. Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, Texas, United States, BoxRec.com (1995-07-29); retrieved 2012-05-17.
- ↑ Darryl Pinckney v Garcia, Boxrec.com (1996-03-23); retrieved 2012-05-17.
- ↑ Harold Warren v Garcia, Boxrec.com (1998-03-13); retrieved 2012-05-17.
- ↑ Roberto Garcia vs. Ramon Ledon, Boxrec.com; retrieved 2012-05-17.
- ↑ BoxRec Boxing Records. Boxrec.com (1999-01-16); retrieved 2012-05-17.
- ↑ Quinito Henson, Viloria back to warrior's mentality » The Dean's Corner, philstar.com; retrieved 2012-05-17.
- ↑ "Victor Ortiz, Somehow With a Smile". Boxing.fanhouse.com (2009-03-07); retrieved 2012-05-17.
- ↑ Rafael, Dan. (2011-01-02) Dan Rafael Blog – ESPN. Espn.go.com. Retrieved on 2012-05-17.
External links
RingTV poll: Trainer of the Year: Robert Garcia by The Ring magazine
| Sporting positions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regional boxing titles | ||||
| Vacant Title last held by Eddie Hopson |
NABF super featherweight champion April 21, 1995 – March 23, 1996 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Jesús Chávez | ||
| Vacant Title last held by Derrick Gainer |
NABF featherweight champion March 23, 1996 – August 1996 Vacated | |||
| World boxing titles | ||||
| Vacant Title last held by Arturo Gatti |
IBF super featherweight champion March 13, 1998 – October 23, 1999 |
Succeeded by Diego Corrales | ||