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 San Fernando ( Spanish for " St. Ferdinand") is a general-law city in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles County, California, in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. It is bordered on all sides by the City of Los Angeles. As of the 20 ...

. First, he was a pitcher and shortstop playing in kid leagues. Then, he was an all-league middle linebacker at

San Fernando High School San Fernando High School (SFHS) is a high school of the Los Angeles Unified School District. It is located in the Pacoima neighborhood of Los Angeles, in the northeastern San Fernando Valley, California. It is near and also serves the City of Sa ...

.U.S. super heavyweight takes a tough road to Reno
by Steve Sneddon, ''Reno Gazette-Journal'', May 9, 1986, p. 21. Later he became a gang member, and eventually served five years in California state prisons at Soledad,

San Quentin San Quentin State Prison (SQ) is a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation state prison for men, located north of San Francisco in the unincorporated place of San Quentin in Marin County. Opened in July 1852, San Quentin is th ...

and Chino, for involuntary manslaughter after stabbing a rival gang member. 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 Van Nuys () is a neighborhood in the central San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles, California. Home to Van Nuys Airport and the Valley Municipal Building, it is the most populous neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley. History In 1909, ...

. "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. "He's got 200 street fights. If a guy goes after you with a bumper jack, you better be elusive," said Rodriguez.

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.Boxer's Metal Goes From Cold to Gold
by David Wharton, ''The Los Angeles Times'', April 11, 1986, p. 33. "It was my best fight," said Garcia in the understatement of the tournament. Longtime amateur boxing people called Garcia's performance a surprise. 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." 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. He was training for the world championships in a

parking garage A multistorey car park ( British and Singapore English) or parking garage (American English), also called a multistory, parking building, parking structure, parkade (mainly Canadian), parking ramp, parking deck or indoor parking, is a bui ...

converted into a boxing gym at the Sands Regency Hotel in Reno. at the world championships he defeated all his opponents on to his way to the finals, to losing the final to

Teófilo Stevenson Teófilo Stevenson Lawrence (29 March 1952 – 11 June 2012) was a Cuban amateur boxer who competed from 1966 to 1986. He won the Val Barker Trophy (1972) and was honored with the Olympic Order (1987). Stevenson is one of only three boxers to w ...

, winning the silver. 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. "Winning by a knockout is just like a baseball player hitting a home run," said Stevenson after he knocked out García. "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. García has been invited to work out at the U.S. Olympic Training Center. 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. Instead of boxing in the

1986 Goodwill Games The 1986 Goodwill Games was the inaugural edition of the international multi-sport event created by Ted Turner, which was held from 5 – 20 July 1986. The main stadium was the Central Lenin Stadium in Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union. The Ga ...

, García chose to rest. 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. "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.

Highlights

Southern California Golden Gloves (+201 lbs),

Los Angeles, California Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, largest city in the U.S. state, state of California and the List of United States cities by population, sec ...

, 1986: * (no data available) Local match-up (+201 lbs), 1986: *Lost to

Wesley Watson Wesley Page Watson Jr. (born September 16, 1962, in Bristol, Tennessee) died January 4, 2021, in Wilmington, Delaware). He was an American heavyweight boxer best known for his successful amateur boxing career. Early years Watson, former Howard ...

by split decision, 2–3 National Championships (+201 lbs),

Civic Center A civic center or civic centre is a prominent land area within a community that is constructed to be its focal point or center. It usually contains one or more dominant public buildings, which may also include a government building. Recently, the ...

Beaumont, Texas Beaumont is a coastal city in the U.S. state of Texas. It is the seat of government of Jefferson County, within the Beaumont– Port Arthur metropolitan statistical area, located in Southeast Texas on the Neches River about east of Houston ( ...

, April 1986: *1/2: Defeated Kimmuel Odum by unanimous decision, 5−0 *Finals: Defeated

by majority decision, 4−1 World Champ Box-offs (+201 lbs),

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, Lake Tahoe, Nevada, April 1986: *Finals (Qualified): Defeated

RSC 2 World Championships (+201 lbs), Sparks Convention Center,

Reno, Nevada Reno ( ) is a city in the northwest section of the U.S. state of Nevada, along the Nevada-California border, about north from Lake Tahoe, known as "The Biggest Little City in the World". Known for its casino and tourism industry, Reno is th ...

, May 1986: *1/8: Defeated Baik Hyun-man (South Korea) RSCH 2 *1/4: Defeated Aziz Salihu (Yugoslavia) RSCH 2 *1/2: Defeated Biaggio Chianese (Italy) RSCH 2 *Finals: Lost to

(Cuba) RSCH 2 USA−USSR Middle & Heavy Duals (+201 lbs), ARCO Arena,

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, July 1986: *Lost to Vyacheslav Yakovlev (Soviet Union) by unanimous decision, 0−5 USA−USSR Exhibition (+201 lbs),

Houston, Texas Houston (; ) is the most populous city in Texas, the most populous city in the Southern United States, the fourth-most populous city in the United States, and the sixth-most populous city in North America, with a population of 2,304,580 i ...

, August 1986: *Lost to Vyacheslav Yakovlev (Soviet Union) by unanimous decision, 0−3

1988 Olympics

He wasn't sure whether he would wait until after the

1988 Summer Olympics The 1988 Summer Olympics (), officially known as the Games of the XXIV Olympiad () and commonly known as Seoul 1988 ( ko, 서울 1988, Seoul Cheon gubaek palsip-pal), was an international multi-sport event held from 17 September to 2 October ...

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, because, once he wanted to turn pro immediately. 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.

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 Jerry Leroy Goff (born April 12, 1964) is a former professional baseball catcher who played in Major League Baseball for the Montreal Expos, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Houston Astros. He was listed at and 207 pounds. In his last major league ga ...

. In 1992 he won the NABF title against Jerry Jones. After three successful defenses, and with a fight against

Riddick Bowe Riddick Lamont Bowe (born August 10, 1967) is an American former professional boxer who competed between 1989 and 2008. He reigned as the undisputed world heavyweight champion in 1992, and as an amateur he won a silver medal in the super heav ...

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 James Warring (born November 26, 1958) is an American boxer, kickboxer and mixed martial artist. In professional boxing, he held the IBF world cruiserweight title from 1991 until 1992. In kickboxing, Warring is a four-time world champion, whi ...

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

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, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Ron McCarthy , MD , 8 , 07/12/1999 , align=left,

Yonkers, New York Yonkers () is a city in Westchester County, New York, United States. Developed along the Hudson River, it is the third most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City and Buffalo. The population of Yonkers was 211,569 as en ...

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, George Harris , TKO , 1 , 07/08/1999 , align=left,

Camden, South Carolina Camden is the largest city and county seat of Kershaw County, South Carolina. The population was 7,764 in the 2020 census. It is part of the Columbia, South Carolina, Metropolitan Statistical Area. Camden is the oldest inland city in South Car ...

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Martin Lopez , TKO , 2 , 29/08/1997 , align=left,

El Paso, Texas El Paso (; "the pass") is a city in and the seat of El Paso County in the western corner of the U.S. state of Texas. The 2020 population of the city from the U.S. Census Bureau was 678,815, making it the 23rd-largest city in the U.S., the ...

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Las Vegas, Nevada Las Vegas (; Spanish for "The Meadows"), often known simply as Vegas, is the 25th-most populous city in the United States, the most populous city in the state of Nevada, and the county seat of Clark County. The city anchors the Las Vega ...

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, George Stephens , TKO , 3 , 18/11/1994 , align=left,

Albuquerque, New Mexico Albuquerque ( ; ), ; kee, Arawageeki; tow, Vakêêke; zun, Alo:ke:k'ya; apj, Gołgéeki'yé. abbreviated ABQ, is the most populous city in the U.S. state of New Mexico. Its nicknames, The Duke City and Burque, both reference its founding i ...

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Ed Donaldson , UD , 10 , 01/09/1994 , align=left,

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Mike Dixon , UD , 10 , 24/05/1994 , align=left,

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, U.S. , align=left, , - , Loss , , align=left, Joe Hipp , UD , 12 , 01/03/1994 , align=left,

Atlantic City, New Jersey Atlantic City, often known by its initials A.C., is a coastal resort city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States. The city is known for its casinos, boardwalk, and beaches. In 2020, the city had a population of 38,497.

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, George O'Mara , PTS , 10 , 20/01/1994 , align=left,

Irvine, California Irvine () is a master-planned city in South Orange County, California, United States, in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The Irvine Company started developing the area in the 1960s and the city was formally incorporated on December 28, 197 ...

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Everton Davis , PTS , 10 , 18/12/1993 , align=left,

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Loss , , align=left, Garing Lane , TKO , 2 , 20/08/1993 , align=left,

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, U.S. , align=left, , - , Draw , , align=left,

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, U.S. , align=left, , - , Loss , , align=left, Mike Dixon , TKO , 2 , 08/06/1993 , align=left,

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Eric Curry , TKO , 12 , 20/04/1993 , align=left,

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, West Turner , TKO , 1 , 27/03/1993 , align=left,

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Mike Williams , TKO , 5 , 16/02/1993 , align=left,

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, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Jerry Jones , UD , 12 , 08/12/1992 , align=left,

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, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left,

Ossie Ocasio Osvaldo "Ossie" Ocasio (born August 12, 1955) is a Puerto Rican former boxer who held the world cruiserweight championship. Nicknamed "Jaws", his peculiar nickname was the result of him accidentally biting another boxer during a sparring sessio ...

, TKO , 8 , 23/11/1992 , align=left,

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, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Matthew Brooks , TKO , 2 , 27/10/1992 , align=left,

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Mike White , TKO , 2 , 22/09/1992 , align=left,

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Arthur Weathers , KO , 2 , 10/08/1992 , align=left,

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Mike Ronay Evans Mike Ronay Evans (born April 5, 1959) is an American former professional boxer. In his 50 bouts he won 38 (27 ko's), lost 11 and had one draw. Tyrell Biggs scored a 6-round unanimous decision over Evans on November 15, 1984 at Madison Square Ga ...

, UD , 10 , 02/07/1992 , align=left,

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Mike Gans , KO , 2 , 27/05/1992 , align=left,

San Diego, California San Diego ( , ; ) is a city on the Pacific Ocean coast of Southern California located immediately adjacent to the Mexico–United States border. With a 2020 population of 1,386,932, it is the eighth most populous city in the United Stat ...

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Bobby Crabtree , KO , 6 , 04/03/1992 , align=left,

Bakersfield, California Bakersfield is a city in Kern County, California, United States. It is the county seat and largest city of Kern County. The city covers about near the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley and the Central Valley region. Bakersfield's populat ...

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Jerry Goff , TKO , 2 , 11/07/1991 , align=left,

Gardnerville, Nevada Gardnerville is an unincorporated town in Douglas County, Nevada, adjacent to the county seat of Minden. The population was 6,211 at the time of th2020 Census U.S. Route 395 runs through the center of Gardnerville. State Route 207, known as ...

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Rocky Sekorski , KO , 1 , 23/05/1991 , align=left,

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Ladislao Mijangos , TKO , 3 , 22/03/1991 , align=left, Lake Tahoe, Nevada, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Bernard Benton , TKO , 2 , 09/10/1990 , align=left,

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, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Bill Duncan , TKO , 1 , 07/05/1990 , align=left,

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Dion Burgess , TKO , 4 , 27/03/1990 , align=left,

Reseda, California Reseda is a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles, California. It was founded in 1912, and its central business district started developing in 1915. The neighborhood was devoted to agriculture for many years. Earthquak ...

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Andre McCall , TKO , 2 , 08/01/1990 , align=left,

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Jim Ashard , KO , 4 , 13/11/1989 , align=left,

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Eddie Gonzales , UD , 10 , 24/10/1989 , align=left,

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Eddie Richardson , KO , 7 , 29/08/1989 , align=left,

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Loss , , align=left, Dee Collier , TKO , 8 , 29/11/1988 , align=left,

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Veti Katoa , KO , 1 , 29/07/1988 , align=left,

Redondo Beach, California Redondo Beach (Spanish for ''round'') is a coastal city in Los Angeles County, California, United States, located in the South Bay region of the Greater Los Angeles area. It is one of three adjacent beach cities along the southern portion of Sa ...

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , 10–0 , align=left, Jack S. Jackson , KO , 2 , 23/06/1988 , align=left,

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , 9–0 , align=left, Rodney Stockton , KO , 2 , 27/05/1988 , align=left,

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , 8–0 , align=left, Dennis Fikes , KO , 3 , 24/03/1988 , align=left,

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , 7–0 , align=left, Dave Slaughter , KO , 2 , 12/11/1987 , align=left,

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , 6–0 , align=left, Dwain Bonds , UD , 6 , 29/08/1987 , align=left,

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , 5–0 , align=left, Andre Smith , UD , 5 , 09/07/1987 , align=left,

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , 4–0 , align=left, William Campudani , KO , 1 , 18/06/1987 , align=left,

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , 3–0 , align=left, Tony Crawford , KO , 1 , 28/05/1987 , align=left,

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , 2–0 , align=left, Richard Harrell , UD , 4 , 24/02/1987 , align=left,

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , 1–0 , align=left, Cliff Melbourne , KO , 1 , 06/02/1987 , align=left,

, U.S. , align=left,

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Garcia, Alex Living people 1961 births Heavyweight boxers American boxers of Mexican descent American people convicted of manslaughter American sportspeople convicted of crimes National Golden Gloves champions Former gang members American male boxers AIBA World Boxing Championships medalists