Robert Garcia (American boxer)

Not to be confused with Roberto García (Mexican boxer).
Robert García

García in December 2011
Statistics
Real name Roberto Garcia 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
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), known as Robert Garcia, 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 at the La Colonia Youth Boxing Club,[3][4] and is the older brother of world champion professional boxer Mikey Garcia.[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 Youth 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", Garcia 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] He successfully defended his Championship just three months later against Francisco Segura.[9]

NABF Featherweight Championship

At the Miami Arena, Garcia moved 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 Garcia (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]

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.[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

  1. ↑ Fischer, Doug (2011-12-27). "Trainer of the Year for 2011". The Ring Magazine. Retrieved 2011-12-27.
  2. ↑ Roberto Garcia profile, Boxrec.com, 2012-04-01; retrieved 2012-05-17.
  3. ↑ Eduardo Garcia (boxer) profile, Boxrec.com; retrieved 2012-05-17.
  4. ↑ "Robert Garcia Fundraiser a success", Fightnews (2010-10-18); retrieved 2012-05-17.
  5. ↑ Velin, Bob (January 17, 2010). "Mikey Garcia goes from police academy to the prize ring". USA Today.
  6. ↑ Oscar De la Hoya|Roberto 'Grandpa' Garcia (a) 1/1. YouTube (2009-04-17); retrieved 2012-05-17.
  7. ↑ Tsutomu Hitono v Garcia, Boxrec.com (1992-07-15); retrieved 2012-05-17.
  8. ↑ NABF Super Featherweight Championship, boxrec.com (1995-04-21); retrieved 2012-05-17.
  9. ↑ Saturday 29 July 1995. Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, Texas, United States, BoxRec.com (1995-07-29); retrieved 2012-05-17.
  10. ↑ Darryl Pinckney v Garcia, Boxrec.com (1996-03-23); retrieved 2012-05-17.
  11. ↑ Harold Warren v Garcia, Boxrec.com (1998-03-13); retrieved 2012-05-17.
  12. ↑ Roberto Garcia vs. Ramon Ledon, Boxrec.com; retrieved 2012-05-17.
  13. ↑ BoxRec Boxing Records. Boxrec.com (1999-01-16); retrieved 2012-05-17.
  14. ↑ Quinito Henson, Viloria back to warrior's mentality » The Dean's Corner, philstar.com; retrieved 2012-05-17.
  15. ↑ "Victor Ortiz, Somehow With a Smile". Boxing.fanhouse.com (2009-03-07); retrieved 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
March 13, 1998 – October 23, 1999 		Succeeded by
Diego Corrales
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