Alex García (boxer)

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Alex García (born December 2, 1961) is a retired Mexican-American boxer, who competed from 1987 to 2005 in the heavyweight division, best known for his short but nevertheless outstanding amateur career in 1986, and later to be a contender in the 1990s.

Early years

García grew up in San Fernando, California. First, he was a pitcher and shortstop playing in kid leagues. Then, he was an all-league middle linebacker at San Fernando High School.[1] Later he became a gang member, and eventually served five years in California state prisons at Soledad, San Quentin and Chino, for involuntary manslaughter after stabbing a rival gang member.[2] Upon his release, he found himself training at the Jet Center, where he took up boxing. He was mentored under former middleweight William “Blinky” Rodriguez at the Benny's Jet Center martial arts and boxing complex in Van Nuys, California. "For two years, since he got out of prison, he's been working hard six days a week ... showing desire and discipline," Rodriguez said on his trainee.[2] "He's got 200 street fights. If a guy goes after you with a bumper jack, you better be elusive," said Rodriguez.[1]

Amateur career

García rapidly began dispatching his foes at the amateurs. He won the Southern California Golden Gloves title and went on to win the National AAU Championships Super Heavyweight title in Beaumont in April 1986.[3] "It was my best fight," said Garcia in the understatement of the tournament. Longtime amateur boxing people called Garcia's performance a surprise.[4] William Pendleton of the U.S. Amateur Boxing Federation board of governors said of his performance at the nationals: "Here was a guy who came in totally from the cold and won the gold medal."[3] He lost a close decision to Wesley Watson prior to the nationals, but avenged that defeat when he stopped Watson in two rounds to earn a spot on the U.S. team for the 1986 World Championships.[2][5] He was training for the world championships in a parking garage converted into a boxing gym at the Sands Regency Hotel in Reno.[1] at the world championships he defeated all his opponents on to his way to the finals,[6] to losing the final to Teófilo Stevenson, winning the silver.[7] Stevenson, a veteran of international boxing, age 35, with a 20-year-long career, won for the 301st time, knocking down Garcia, whose amateur record stood 17–2.[8] "Winning by a knockout is just like a baseball player hitting a home run," said Stevenson after he knocked out García.[9] "I want to fight him again. I want to redeem myself," said García after his defeat in the hands of Stevenson. García claimed he never lost in hundreds of street fights. "I always wanted to box, but I just never took the time to go into the gym and train; I was having too much fun on the streets," he said to the press. "There are some things you can't coach. He's got natural athletic ability. He's got durability, heart, power and he's come along real fast. When we went to the world championships, a lot of guys came up to me and asked me how many fights he'd really had. They couldn't believe he'd only fought 18 times and he was fighting for the gold medal in the world championships with that few fights," said his coach Rodriguez.[2] García has been invited to work out at the U.S. Olympic Training Center.[3] García also sparred with Mike Weaver, the former World Boxing Association heavyweight champion. García said he was a little wary when he first got into the ring against Weaver.[2] Instead of boxing in the 1986 Goodwill Games, García chose to rest.[10] He soon fought at the 1986 USA−USSR boxing duals, where he fought Vyacheslav Yakovlev (who also lost to Stevenson at Reno by majority decision,) in a match-up on July 26, and exhibition bout on August 2, losing him twice in a row, both time by unanimous decision.[11] "I told myself I was going to become a fighter, going to stick with it. It was a big adjustment getting out (of prison). You get institutionalized, get out of the habits of normal life. Although I wanted to be a boxer, I never thought I'd come this far this fast," said García on his progress.[2]

Highlights

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1988 Olympics

He wasn't sure whether he would wait until after the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, because, once he wanted to turn pro immediately.[1] This accounted for a brief hiatus, and finally, having 21 amateur fights under his belt, with a record of 17 wins (13 by knockout,) and 4 losses, García turned pro.[2]

Professional career

He started his pro career in California in 1987 and, apart from a cut stoppage loss against Dee Collier, dominated his opposition on his way to contention. Notable opponents at beaten by García at this stage of his career included Eddie Gonzalez, Rocky Sekorski, and Jerry Goff.

In 1992 he won the NABF title against Jerry Jones. After three successful defenses, and with a fight against Riddick Bowe in the advanced planning stage, he took a warm-up fight against Mike Dixon who KOd him by catching García with a blow to his temple. However, soon after in a rematch fight at the "Brady Theater" in Tulsa, OK in May 1994, Alex García won a unanimous decision against Mike Dixon. García never was a serious contender again, drawing with James Warring and getting KOd by Garing Lane.

In 1994 he lost his NABF title on points to fringe contender Joe Hipp, in 1995 he lost on points to Buster Mathis Jr.

Professional boxing record

40 Wins (29 knockouts, 11 decisions), 6 Losses (4 knockouts, 2 decisions), 1 Draw[12]
Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
Loss 5-10Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Wallace McDaniel KO 3 05/04/2005 Template:Flagicon Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Win 8-18-1Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Ron McCarthy MD 8 07/12/1999 Template:Flagicon Yonkers, New York, U.S.
Win 2-35Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon George Harris TKO 1 07/08/1999 Template:Flagicon Camden, South Carolina, U.S.
Win 5-14Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Martin Lopez TKO 2 29/08/1997 Template:Flagicon El Paso, Texas, U.S. Referee stopped the bout at 1:05 of the second round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Loss 18-0Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Buster Mathis, Jr. UD 12 18/04/1995 Template:Flagicon Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. IBF USBA Heavyweight Title.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 14-7-1Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon George Stephens TKO 3 18/11/1994 Template:Flagicon Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
Win 10-2Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Ed Donaldson UD 10 01/09/1994 Template:Flagicon Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
Win 15-14Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Mike Dixon UD 10 24/05/1994 Template:Flagicon Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
Loss 26-3Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Joe Hipp UD 12 01/03/1994 Template:Flagicon Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. NABF Heavyweight Title.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 13-10-3Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon George O'Mara PTS 10 20/01/1994 Template:Flagicon Irvine, California, U.S.
Win 8-1Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Everton Davis PTS 10 18/12/1993 Template:Flagicon Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Loss 9-9-1Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Garing Lane TKO 2 20/08/1993 Template:Flagicon Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S. Referee stopped the bout at 2:07 of the second round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Template:Draw Draw 14-2Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon James Warring SD 12 27/07/1993 Template:Flagicon Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. NABF Heavyweight Title.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Loss 12-8Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Mike Dixon TKO 2 08/06/1993 Template:Flagicon Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. WBC Continental Americas/WBA Fedelatin Heavyweight Titles. Referee stopped the bout at 2:45 of the second round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 21-2Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Eric Curry TKO 12 20/04/1993 Template:Flagicon Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. NABF Heavyweight Title. Referee stopped the bout at 0:38 of the 12th round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 16-1Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon West Turner TKO 1 27/03/1993 Template:Flagicon Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. NABF Heavyweight Title.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 20-2Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Mike Williams TKO 5 16/02/1993 Template:Flagicon Denver, Colorado, U.S. NABF Heavyweight Title. Referee stopped the bout at 2:14 of the fifth round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 9-4Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Jerry Jones UD 12 08/12/1992 Template:Flagicon Tampa, Florida, U.S. NABF/WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight Titles.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 23-12-1Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Ossie Ocasio TKO 8 23/11/1992 Template:Flagicon Inglewood, California, U.S.
Win 8-3-1Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Matthew Brooks TKO 2 27/10/1992 Template:Flagicon Houston, Texas, U.S. Referee stopped the bout at 0:31 of the second round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 26-11-1Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Mike White TKO 2 22/09/1992 Template:Flagicon El Paso, Texas, U.S.
Win 18-5-1Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Arthur Weathers KO 2 10/08/1992 Template:Flagicon Inglewood, California, U.S.
Win 26-5-1Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Mike Ronay Evans UD 10 02/07/1992 Template:Flagicon Reno, Nevada, U.S.
Win 11-9-1Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Mike Gans KO 2 27/05/1992 Template:Flagicon San Diego, California, U.S.
Win 43-24-1Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Bobby Crabtree KO 6 04/03/1992 Template:Flagicon Bakersfield, California, U.S.
Win 18-1Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Jerry Goff TKO 2 11/07/1991 Template:Flagicon Gardnerville, Nevada, U.S.
Win 23-9Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Rocky Sekorski KO 1 23/05/1991 Template:Flagicon Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Win 22-12Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Ladislao Mijangos TKO 3 22/03/1991 Template:Flagicon Lake Tahoe, Nevada, U.S.
Win 18-5-1Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Bernard Benton TKO 2 09/10/1990 Template:Flagicon Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. Referee stopped the bout at 0:52 of the second round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 11-1-1Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Bill Duncan TKO 1 07/05/1990 Template:Flagicon Inglewood, California, U.S.
Win 6-2Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Dion Burgess TKO 4 27/03/1990 Template:Flagicon Reseda, California, U.S.
Win 14-4-1Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Andre McCall TKO 2 08/01/1990 Template:Flagicon Inglewood, California, U.S.
Win 7-7-4Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Jim Ashard KO 4 13/11/1989 Template:Flagicon Inglewood, California, U.S.
Win 25-8-1Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Eddie Gonzales UD 10 24/10/1989 Template:Flagicon Reseda, California, U.S.
Win 14-14Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Eddie Richardson KO 7 29/08/1989 Template:Flagicon Reseda, California, U.S.
Loss 10-8Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Dee Collier TKO 8 29/11/1988 Template:Flagicon Reseda, California, U.S.
Win 4-3Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Veti Katoa KO 1 29/07/1988 Template:Flagicon Redondo Beach, California, U.S.
Win 10–0 Template:Flagicon Jack S. Jackson KO 2 23/06/1988 Template:Flagicon Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Win 9–0 Template:Flagicon Rodney Stockton KO 2 27/05/1988 Template:Flagicon Redondo Beach, California, U.S.
Win 8–0 Template:Flagicon Dennis Fikes KO 3 24/03/1988 Template:Flagicon Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Win 7–0 Template:Flagicon Dave Slaughter KO 2 12/11/1987 Template:Flagicon Los Angeles, California, U.S. Slaughter knocked out at 1:15 of the second round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 6–0 Template:Flagicon Dwain Bonds UD 6 29/08/1987 Template:Flagicon Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Win 5–0 Template:Flagicon Andre Smith UD 5 09/07/1987 Template:Flagicon Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Win 4–0 Template:Flagicon William Campudani KO 1 18/06/1987 Template:Flagicon Los Angeles, California, U.S. Campudani knocked out at 0:28 of the first round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 3–0 Template:Flagicon Tony Crawford KO 1 28/05/1987 Template:Flagicon Los Angeles, California, U.S. Crawford knocked out at 1:57 of the first round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 2–0 Template:Flagicon Richard Harrell UD 4 24/02/1987 Template:Flagicon Reseda, California, U.S.
Win 1–0 Template:Flagicon Cliff Melbourne KO 1 06/02/1987 Template:Flagicon Reseda, California, U.S. Melbourne knocked out at 2:52 of the first round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

References

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  1. ↑ a b c d U.S. super heavyweight takes a tough road to Reno by Steve Sneddon, Reno Gazette-Journal, May 9, 1986, p. 21.
  2. ↑ a b c d e f g Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
  3. ↑ a b c Boxer's Metal Goes From Cold to Gold by David Wharton, The Los Angeles Times, April 11, 1986, p. 33.
  4. ↑ The Unknown Garcia wins ‘Amateur’ (AP,) Fayetteville Northwest Arkansas Times, April 7, 1986, p. 9.
  5. ↑ USA's Garcia meets Cuban for gold medal by Steve Sneddon, Reno Gazette-Journal, May 17, 1986, p. 7.
  6. ↑ Garcia of U.S. Reaches Final, but Against Stevenson by Karl Gustkey, The Los Angeles Times, May 17, 1986, p. 41.
  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ US wins three in the ring (AP), Fairbanks Daily News Miner, May 18, 1986, p. 17.
  9. ↑ Four more Cubans take world boxing golds by Ed Schuyler Jr. (Associated Press,) The Times News (Idaho Newspaper,) May 19, 1986, D-4.
  10. ↑ Mystery clouds U.S. -Soviet card, Reno Gazette-Journal, July 26, 1986, p. 10.
  11. ↑ Soviets slug U.S. boxers (UPI,) The Republic (Columbus, Indiana), August 3, 1986, p. 23.
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

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External links

Preceded byTemplate:S-bef/checkTemplate:Succession box/check United States Amateur Super Heavyweight Champion
1986 Template:S-ttl/check 		Template:S-aft/check Succeeded by
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