Robert Garcia (American boxer)

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Robert García
File:Robert Garcia (American boxer).jpg
García in December 2011
Statistics
Real name Roberto García Cortez
Nickname(s) Grandpa
Rated at Lightweight
Super featherweight
Featherweight
Height 5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Reach 68 in (174 cm)
Nationality American
Born (1975-01-29) January 29, 1975 (age 49)
San Pedro, Los Angeles,
California, U.S.
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights 37
Wins 34
Wins by KO 25
Losses 3

Roberto "Robert" García Cortez (born January 29, 1975) is a Mexican-American former professional boxer and current boxing trainer. As a boxer he held the IBF super featherweight title, and as a trainer was voted Trainer of the Year by The Ring magazine in 2011 and by the Boxing Writers Association of America in 2012.[1][2]

Roberto was trained by his father Eduardo García at the popular La Colonia Youth Boxing Club,[3][4] and is the older brother of world champion professional boxer Miguel Ángel "Mikey" García.[5]

Early life

Born in San Pedro, Los Angeles, California, Garcia grew up and still resides in Oxnard, California. He trained world champions with his Father at La Colonia Boxing Club.

Amateur career

Garcia had an extensive amateur career, which included a fight with future Olympic Gold Medalist Oscar De La Hoya.[6]

Professional career

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.

NABF Super Featherweight Championship

In 1995 he took down the previously unbeaten American Julian Wheeler to win his first belt, the NABF Super Featherweight Championship.[8] Garcia successfully defended his Championship just three months later against Francisco Segura.[9]

NABF Featherweight Championship

At the Miami Arena, Garcia would move down to Featherweight and beat Darryl Pinckney to win the NABF Featherweight Championship.[10]

IBF Super Featherweight Championship

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]

Garcia'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 phenom Diego Corrales. After a win over title contender Sandro Marcos he moved back up in the world rankings.

WBA Super Featherweight Championship

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.[14][15]

Notable boxers trained

See also

References

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  2. Roberto Garcia – Boxrec. Boxrec.com (2012-04-01). Retrieved on 2012-05-17.
  3. Eduardo Garcia (boxer) – Boxrec Boxing Encyclopaedia. Boxrec.com. Retrieved on 2012-05-17.
  4. Boxing News | Robert Garcia Fundraiser a success. Fightnews (2010-10-18). Retrieved on 2012-05-17.
  5. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. Oscar De la Hoya | Roberto 'Grandpa' Garcia (a) 1/1. YouTube (2009-04-17). Retrieved on 2012-05-17.
  7. Wednesday 15 July 1992. International Center, Fukuoka, Japan. . BoxRec Boxing Records. Boxrec.com (1992-07-15). Retrieved on 2012-05-17.
  8. Friday 21 April 1995. Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. BoxRec Boxing Records. Boxrec.com (1995-04-21). Retrieved on 2012-05-17.
  9. Saturday 29 July 1995. Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, Texas, United States. BoxRec Boxing Records]. Boxrec.com (1995-07-29). Retrieved on 2012-05-17.
  10. Saturday 23 March 1996. Miami Arena, Miami, Florida, United States. BoxRec Boxing Records. Boxrec.com (1996-03-23). Retrieved on 2012-05-17.
  11. Friday 13 March 1998. Miccosukee Indian Gaming Resort, Miami, Florida, United States. BoxRec Boxing Records. Boxrec.com (1998-03-13). Retrieved on 2012-05-17.
  12. Roberto Garcia vs. Ramon Ledon – Boxrec Boxing Encyclopaedia. Boxrec.com. Retrieved on 2012-05-17.
  13. BoxRec Boxing Records. Boxrec.com (1999-01-16). Retrieved on 2012-05-17.
  14. Viloria back to warrior's mentality » The Dean's Corner by Quinito Henson | Sports. philstar.com. Retrieved on 2012-05-17.
  15. Victor Ortiz, Somehow With a Smile. Boxing.fanhouse.com (2009-03-07). Retrieved on 2012-05-17.
  16. Rafael, Dan. (2011-01-02) Dan Rafael Blog – ESPN. Espn.go.com. Retrieved on 2012-05-17.

External links


Preceded by
Arturo Gatti
Vacates
IBF Super Featherweight Champion
13 Mar 1998– 23 Oct 1999
Succeeded by
Diego Corrales