Mikey Garcia

This name uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Garcia and the second or maternal family name is Cortez.
Mikey Garcia

Garcia in 2014
Statistics
Real name Miguel Angel Garcia Cortez
Rated at
Height 5 ft 6 in (168 cm)
Reach 68 in (173 cm)
Nationality American
Born (1987-12-15) December 15, 1987
Ventura, California, U.S.
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights 35
Wins 35
Wins by KO 29
Losses 0

Miguel Angel Garcia Cortez (born December 15, 1987), best known as Mikey Garcia, is an American professional boxer.[1][2] He is a two-weight former world champion, having held the WBO and Ring magazine featherweight titles in 2013, and the WBO junior lightweight title from 2013 to 2014.[3] He is trained by his father Eduardo and his brother, former world champion Robert Garcia.[4][5][6]

Personal life

Early life and education

Miguel Angel's father, Eduardo, was an amateur boxer and trainer of world champion boxer Fernando Vargas at La Colonia Youth Boxing Club.[7] His older brother, Roberto was a professional boxer and a former IBF Super Featherweight Champion who lost his belt to the late Diego Corrales. His oldest brother, Daniel, was a boxer and trainer.[8] Miguel Angel graduate from Ventura County Police Academy.[9] He has been featured on ABC's show American Latino TV and he talked about balancing studies with the demands of boxing.[10]

Amateur career

Garcia started his amateur career at the age of fourteen. In 2003, he won a silver medal at the National Junior Olympic Championships in the 125 lb division. In 2004, he won a gold medal at the National Junior Golden Gloves Championships and a silver medal at the National Police Athletic League Championships, both in the 132 lb division. In 2005, he won a bronze medal at the National Golden Gloves Championships and a gold medal at the National Police Athletic League Championships, both in the 132 lb division.[11]

Amateur highlights

Professional career

Featherweight

Early career

García is known as a patient fighter with good punching power, a natural right-hander who likes to switch to southpaw during some of his fights. He turned pro in 2006 and signed with Bob Arum's Top Rank.[12] Garcia was undefeated in his first 20 professional fights, winning them all with 17 of them coming by way of knockout.

In April 2010, Miguel Ángel beat the veteran Tomas Villa by T.K.O. in the first round, to win the USBA Featherweight Championship.[13] He then beat Matt Remillard to win the WBO NABO Featherweight Championship. This would not only be the last boxing bout but also the last event Nick Charles would broadcast, Charles would die a few days later from cancer.[14]

In his next fight HBO asked García to turn down a world title shot against Billy Dib to fight on the undercard of Julio César Chávez, Jr. vs. Sebastian Zbik. After his win over Rafaël Guzmán, García sent his well wishes to Genaro Hernández who was struggling with cancer, Hernández would die a few days later.[15] Months later he beat Juan Carlos Martinez in under four rounds at the Madison Square Garden in New York City.[16]

WBO featherweight champion

García vs. Salido

Garcia's first major step up in competition came on January 19, 2013 against WBO Featherweight champion and Ring No. 1 ranked Featherweight, Orlando Salido. Garcia dominated the bout from the very beginning, keeping Salido at range with the jab. Garcia knocked Salido down four times early on in the fight, building up a large lead on the scorecards. During the 8th round, Salido accidentally clashed heads with Garcia, causing Garcia's nose to break. The fight was stopped between rounds, with the decision going to the scorecards. Garcia won a wide unanimous decision, to win his first world title.[17]

Garcia vs Lopez

Garcia was scheduled to make his first title defense against Juan Manuel Lopez in Dallas on June 15, 2013. Garcia failed to make 126 lb weight limit coming in two pounds overweight. He was stripped of the title. The fight went ahead after Garcia paid Lopez a penalty of $150,000 for missing weight. Garcia won the fight with a fourth round knockout.[18]

WBO junior lightweight champion

Garcia vs. Martinez

Garcia challenged Puerto Rican WBO junior lightweight champion Rocky Martinez for Martinez's title on November 9, 2013 in his first fight since failing to make weight and having to relinquish his featherweight title. Garcia went down in the second round from a Martinez counter right hand. Garcia, however, recovered and dominated the rest of the fight before knocking out Martinez with a left hook to the body in the eighth round. The victory meant Garcia is the 130 lbs WBO champion.[19]

Garcia vs. Burgos

On January 25, 2014, Garcia made his first title defense against mandatory challenger Juan Carlos Burgos at Madison Square Garden in New York City on HBO Boxing After Dark. After being staggered in the second round, Garcia took control of the fight and won close to every round for the remainder of the bout. At the end of the fight, Garcia won via unanimous decision (118-110, 118-110, 119-109), improving to 34-0. In the post fight interview, Garcia called out Yuriorkis Gamboa for a potential fight.[20]

Contract dispute

Garcia had been unhappy over his purses, which had been increasing to career-high six-figure levels fight after fight, sued Top Rank in 2014 to get out of the agreement, and the parties had been fighting it until 2016. Although in arbitration with his promoter, Garcia has expressed plans of returning to the ring under a new contract with Top Rank. On April 8, 2016, it was confirmed that Garcia and Top Rank, who where locked in a dispute over his promotional contract, had reached a settlement, according to Bob Arum. Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti told ESPN.com. "All parties came to a mutual agreement, details of that agreement are a confidential matter. We all move on and do what we do." Although Garcia's Top Rank contract was up in August, they reached a deal and are in the process of putting it to paper.[21]

Return at light welterweight

Garcia vs. Rojas

Top Rank announced on June 28, 2016, after 2 and a half years off, Garcia would be returning to the boxing ring against former world featherweight titleholder Elio Rojas on July 30 on Showtime in a 10 round bout at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on the undercard of Santa-Cruz-Frampton. This would be a one-fight deal with promoter Lou DiBella and Showtime. They met at approximately 138 pounds. The weight had not been contractually hashed out, however Garcia plans to move down with the hopes of challenging for a world title in the 135-pound lightweight division.[22] Garcia scored four knockdowns, before finishing Rojas in the 5th round via knockout. Garcia hit Rojas face-first with a left hand and dropping him with a right uppercut-left hook combination. Rojas, who was only fighting for the second time in four years, beat the count, but referee Claudio waved it off at 2 minutes, 2 seconds.[23]

Lightweight

Garcia vs. Zlatičanin

Garcia announced he would be fighting at lightweight to challenge undefeated WBC champion Dejan Zlatičanin (22-0, 15 KOs). Zlatičanin claimed the vacant title by knocking out Franklin Mamani in June and also holds decision victories over the likes of Petr Petrov and former multiple weight world champion Ricky Burns. The fight would take place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and again serve as a co-feature to the anticipated rematch between Carl Frampton and Leo Santa Cruz on January 28, 2017.[24]

Professional boxing record

Professional record summary
35 fights 35 wins 0 losses
By knockout 29 0
By decision 6 0
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
36 N/A N/A Montenegro Dejan Zlatičanin N/A – (12) Jan 28, 2017 United States MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. For WBC lightweight title
35 Win 35–0 Dominican Republic Elio Rojas TKO 5 (10), 2:02 Jul 30, 2016 United States Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S.
34 Win 34–0 Mexico Juan Carlos Burgos UD 12 Jan 25, 2014 United States The Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Retained WBO junior lightweight title
33 Win 33–0 Puerto Rico Román Martínez KO 8 (12), 0:56 Nov 9, 2013 United States American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S. Won WBO junior lightweight title
32 Win 32–0 Puerto Rico Juan Manuel López TKO 4 (12), 1:34 Jun 15, 2013 United States American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas, U.S. Retained The Ring featherweight title
31 Win 31–0 Mexico Orlando Salido TD 9 (12), 0:01 Jan 19, 2013 United States The Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Won WBO and The Ring featherweight titles;
Unanimous TD after Garcia sustained a broken nose from an accidental head clash
30 Win 30–0 Argentina Jonathan Victor Barros TKO 8 (10), 2:24 Nov 10, 2012 United States Wynn, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
29 Win 29–0 Colombia Mauricio Pastrana KO 2 (10), 1:05 Sep 1, 2012 Mexico Arena TKT Box Tour, Los Mochis, Mexico
28 Win 28–0 Philippines Bernabe Concepcion TKO 7 (10), 2:33 Mar 10, 2012 Puerto Rico Coliseo Roberto Clemente, San Juan, Puerto Rico Retained NABF and WBO–NABO featherweight titles
27 Win 27–0 Mexico Juan Carlos Martinez TKO 4 (10), 2:40 Oct 22, 2011 United States Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Retained NABF featherweight title
26 Win 26–0 Mexico Rafael Guzmán KO 4 (12), 1:55 Jun 4, 2011 United States Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S. Retained NABF and WBO–NABO featherweight titles
25 Win 25–0 United States Matt Remillard RTD 10 (12), 3:00 Mar 26, 2011 United States Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Won NABF and WBONABO featherweight titles
24 Win 24–0 Cameroon Olivier Lontchi KO 5 (10), 1:30 Dec 4, 2010 United States Honda Center, Anaheim, California, U.S.
23 Win 23–0 United States Cornelius Lock TKO 11 (12), 1:09 Aug 14, 2010 United States Energy Arena, Laredo, Texas, U.S.
22 Win 22–0 Mexico Pedro Navarrete UD 8 May 8, 2010 Mexico Plaza de Toros Monumental, Aguascalientes City, Mexico
21 Win 21–0 Mexico Tomas Villa TKO 1 (12), 1:07 Apr 3, 2010 United States American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S. Won vacant USBA featherweight title
20 Win 20–0 Mexico Arturo Gómez TKO 5 (8), 2:35 Jan 30, 2010 United States Restaurante Arroyo, Mexico City, Mexico
19 Win 19–0 Colombia Yogli Herrera KO 3 (8), 2:19 Dec 19, 2009 United States Beeghly Center, Youngstown, Ohio, U.S.
18 Win 18–0 United States Carlos Manuel Rivera TKO 7 (10), 0:40 Aug 29, 2009 United States QuikTrip Park, Grand Prairie, Texas, U.S.
17 Win 17–0 Kenya Anthony Napunyi TKO 3 (10), 1:04 May 16, 2009 United States Star of the Desert Arena, Primm, Nevada, U.S.
16 Win 16–0 Puerto Rico Lucian Gonzalez RTD 5 (8), 3:00 Feb 6, 2009 United States Activity Center, Maywood, California, U.S.
15 Win 15–0 Colombia Walter Estrada UD 8 Oct 31, 2008 United States Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
14 Win 14–0 Mexico Jose Hernandez TKO 8 (8), 0:24 Aug 2, 2008 United States Palms Casino Resort, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
13 Win 13–0 South Korea Jae-Sung Lee TKO 4 (8), 1:14 Jun 26, 2008 United States The Orleans, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
12 Win 12–0 Mexico Robinson Castellanos TKO 5, 0:11 May 17, 2008 Mexico Plaza de Toros Monumental, Aguascalientes City, Mexico
11 Win 11–0 Cuba Jorge Ruiz TKO 5 (6), 1:35 Feb 16, 2008 United States MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
10 Win 10–0 Mexico Manuel Sarabia UD 6 Sep 20, 2007 United States Sagebrush Cantina, Calabasas, California, U.S.
9 Win 9–0 United States Reggie Sanders KO 3 (6), 2:23 Jul 13, 2007 United States Congress Theater, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
8 Win 8–0 United States Carlos Zambrano TKO 2 (6), 2:45 May 25, 2007 United States Isleta Resort & Casino, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 United States Steve Trumble TKO 2 (6), 2:30 Apr 27, 2007 United States Crowne Plaza Hotel, Houston, Texas, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 Mexico Gabriel Rangel TKO 2 (4), 1:56 Mar 9, 2007 United States Dodge Arena, Hidalgo, Texas, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 United States Frankie Martinez TKO 2 (4), 1:51 Jan 19, 2007 United States Dodge Theatre, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 United States Baladan Trevizo KO 1, 2:18 Dec 8, 2006 United States Florentine Gardens, El Monte, California, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 United States Mario Franco KO 2 (4), 0:52 Sep 29, 2006 United States Performing Arts Center, Oxnard, California, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 United States Andrew Gannigan KO 1 (4), 2:19 Aug 12, 2006 United States Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Mexico Herrera Mendoza UD 4 Jul 14, 2006 United States Quiet Cannon, Montebello, California, U.S. Professional debut

Titles in boxing

Regional titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Jose Hernandez
USBA featherweight champion
April 3, 2010 – May 2010
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Eric Hunter
Preceded by
Matt Remillard
NABF featherweight champion
March 26, 2011 – September 2012
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Ronny Rios
WBONABO featherweight champion
March 26, 2011 – September 2012
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Gamalier Rodriguez
World titles
Preceded by
Orlando Salido
WBO featherweight champion
January 19, 2013 – June 14, 2013
Stripped (title lost on the scales)
Vacant
Title next held by
Orlando Salido
Vacant
Title last held by
Manny Pacquiao
The Ring featherweight champion
January 19, 2013 – November 9, 2013
Vacated
Vacant
Preceded by
Román Martínez
WBO junior lightweight champion
November 9, 2013 – October 15, 2014
Vacated
Succeeded by
Orlando Salido
promoted from interim status

Summit for brain health

In February 2014, Garcia along with Bernard Hopkins and a few other athletes attended a summit at the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health at the United States Capitol, in support of furthering research of preventing brain damage and other mental risk in competitive activity. The summit consisted of speeches about preventing brain damage and research to aid already suffering victims.[25]

Filmography

Television Series
Year Series Role Notes
2010 American Latino TV Himself Documentary
2013 2 Days: Mikey Garcia Himself Documentary
2013 24/7:Pacquiao/Rios Himself Documentary
2014 All Access: Mayweather vs. Maidana Himself Documentary
2014 All Access: Mayweather vs. Maidana II Himself Documentary

See also

References

  1. "Garcia grateful with Top Rank". Ringtv.com. 2011-06-03. Retrieved 2011-06-03.
  2. "Passion to Go with Garcia's Precision". MaxBoxing.com. 2011-06-03. Retrieved 2011-06-03.
  3. "Miguel Angel Garcia vs Tomas Villa". Fightwriter.com. 2010-04-02. Retrieved 2014-05-10.
  4. "Garcia dethrones Salido, becomes new Sheriff at 126 pounds". Ringtv.craveonline.com. 2013-01-21. Retrieved 2014-05-10.
  5. "Eduardo Garcia profile". Boxrec.com. 2008-08-08. Retrieved 2014-05-10.
  6. Iole, Kevin (2013-06-14). "Mikey Garcia's body 'shuts down,' he misses weight and drops his featherweight title at the scales". Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2014-05-10.
  7. "Fernando Vargas". CNN. 1994-07-18.
  8. "Sub Lead - Breakout Year for 'Mikey' Garcia?". Max Boxing. 2010-01-13. Retrieved 2014-05-10.
  9. Velin, Bob (2010-01-17). "Mikey Garcia goes from police academy to the prize ring". USA Today.
  10. "Miguel "Mikey" Garcia profile". Fightnews.com. 2010-05-28. Retrieved 2014-05-10.
  11. "Miguel Angel Garcia featured on ABC's American Latino TV". Vcstar.com. 2014-02-05. Retrieved 2014-05-10.
  12. "Miguel Garcia - Fighters – Top Rank Boxing". Toprank.com. 2010-01-09. Retrieved 2014-05-10.
  13. "Mikey Garcia, Mike Alvarado Swift And Emphatic In Texas - Boxing News". Boxingscene.com. 2010-04-04. Retrieved 2014-05-10.
  14. "Boxing Announcer Nick Charles Calls His Final Fight - TVNewser". Mediabistro.com. 2011-03-28. Retrieved 2014-05-10.
  15. Garcia to take on Beltran Jr. on Chavez / Zbik card. "Garcia to take on Beltran Jr. on Chavez / Zbik card | Boxing News - Boxing, UFC and MMA News, Fight Results, Schedule, Rankings, Videos and More". 15rounds.com. Retrieved 2014-05-10.
  16. "Sub Lead - A Step Backward, a Step Forward for Garcia". Max Boxing. 2011-10-22. Retrieved 2014-05-10.
  17. Dan Rafael (January 20, 2013). "Garcia banged, but brutalizes Salido". ESPN.
  18. Eric Raskin (June 16, 2013). "Cool, calm, concussive: Garcia and Crawford stay perfect with KOs". HBO Boxing.
  19. Scott Christ (November 9, 2013). "Martinez vs Garcia results: Mikey Garcia adds 130 pound title with body shot KO". Bad Left Hook.
  20. Mazique, Brian. "Garcia Beats Burgos to Retain Belt". Retrieved 2016-07-29.
  21. "Ex-titlist Garcia, Top Rank agree to settlement". Retrieved 2016-07-29.
  22. "Garcia slated for ring return after 2½-year layoff". Retrieved 2016-07-29.
  23. "Garcia demolishes Rojas in return to the ring". Retrieved 2016-07-31.
  24. "Dejan Zlaticanin: I'm Fighting Mikey Garcia on January 28 - Boxing News". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2016-10-27.
  25. "Study unites Golden Boy, Top Rank, MMA, U.S. Senators - Ring TV". 2014-02-04. Retrieved 2016-07-29.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mikey Garcia.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/30/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.