Cesar Garcia & Black House Boxing Are Leaving Their Print On The Southern California Boxing Scene

By Anthony “Stacks” Saldaña
Photo by Cynthia “Cindy Lou” Saldaña

Southern California is a hotbed for boxing talent, and for manager Cesar Garcia, his stable of young fighters are slowly becoming a force to be reckoned with. Garcia, who is a former fighter himself never imagined he’d be managing boxers. In fact, he only boxed professionally as a hobby “I’m a real estate agent I’ve sold real estate for like 20 years and only fought because I liked to fight” said Garcia in a recent interview. During his boxing career Garcia was trained by Albert Vasquez and one day Vasquez reached out to Cesar.

“Albert called me up, and asked me for help getting an amateur back into the sport.” The fighter was East LA’s Roy “The Pitbull” Tapia. Garcia agreed to help Tapia, but not knowing much about managing fighters Garcia turned to long time friend, famed manager and founder of Black House MMA Management, Ed Soares for direction. Soares who manages MMA fighters, Anderson Silva, Lyoto Machida, Antonio Nogueira and Jose Aldo to name a few took both Garcia and Tapia under his wing.

Garcia joined forces with Soares and Tapia would become the first boxer to be managed by Black House. “Ed Soares is huge name in the MMA world and with the big name fighters he has, our goal is to get these fighters the recognition they deserve.” said Garcia. Tapia would eventually be signed by Gary Shaw Promotions and fight for the length of his three year contract before signing with Golden Boy Promotions in January of 2015. Tapia, 12-1-2, 6 KO’s now will be in the biggest fight of his career as he takes on WBC Silver Champion Ronny Rios, 26-1, 11 KO’s on December 16th at Fantasy Springs. The Tapia Vs Rios fight will open up and be the co-main event of the HBO Latino Card Headlined by Shabranskyy Vs Barrera.

For Garcia his team continues to grow, in 2013 Garcia brought undefeated Colombian boxing prospect Bantamweight Oscar “El Jaguar” Negrete, 14-0, 5 KO’s on board. Negrete like Tapia is also signed with Golden Boy Promotions. Negrete is a solid come forward style fighter with great speed and good power and recently won a big unanimous decision over Jose Bustos at the Belasco Theater in downtown Los Angeles. Negrete who was recently trained by Jose Santa Cruz father of Leo Santa Cruz now trains with Manny Robles at the Rock Gym in Carson, California, and will be back in the ring the same night as stablemate Roy Tapia December 16thagainst a fighter TBE. Negrete is quickly moving up the boxing ranks and should be in line for a title in 2017.

Along with Negrete and Tapia is WBA Fedecentro Welterweight Champion, Roberto “Dinamita” Arriaza, 13-0, 10 KO’s, Arriaza who was fighting in the streets of Nicaragua and at the age of 15 began boxing and winning. Arriaza became known for knocking out opponents and was given the nickname “Dinamita” (Dynamite) by his trainer, as his gloves exploded every-time he hit an opponent. Arriaza went on to have an amateur record of, 65-4, 41 KO’s before turning professional in 2013.

Again it was Garcia’s former trainer Albert Vasquez who was scouting talent in Central America and advised Cesar of an unnoticed talent in Arriaza. With that phone call Garcia wasted no time in bringing Arriaza to the United States to train full time. Roberto trains out of Valdez Muay Thai and Boxing with Gil Valdez and his stable fighters known as the “East LA Assassins.” Roberto arrived in Los Angeles in November of 2015 and shortly there after was signed by Gary Shaw and Thompson Boxing. In January of this year Arriaza and the Black House team traveled to El Salvador as Roberto took on Aristides Quintero for the WBA Fedecentro Welterweight Title. That night Arriaza walked away with a 6th round KO and his first ever title. Arriaza made his U.S. debut on May 20th against Cameron Kreal, 8-9-2, 1 KO of Las Vegas, on a Thompson Boxing Promotions card and came away with a unanimous decision victory, Arriaza recently beat top welterweight prospect Benjamin Whitaker. Arriaza is currently ranked #9 by the WBA and is on path to fight a top ranked welterweight in 2017.

With a stable of fighters that are making waves on the boxing scene, Garcia is always looking for talent. Recently Garcia added prospect Alimkhan Jumakhonov, 5-1, 1 KO to the stable. Jumakhonov trains in Reseda in the San Fernando Valley of Southern California and is trained by Tolik Kaminsky. Jumakhonov is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Alex Solorio last Friday night at Thompson’s Boxing’s “Path to Glory” in Ontario. Jumakhonov looked great in his four round fight easily out boxing his opponent. Jumakhonov is unsigned and is being scouted by several major promotional companies.

For Garcia and his team, which includes former 20 year Army medic and cutman Sergio “Big Serg” Estrada the sky is the limit. Garcia and his wife Erica have opened up their home to his fighters and there definitely is a mutual respect between manager and fighter. I’ve had the opportunity to talk with Cesar and one thing I can tell you, is although fighters devote time and training for fights, Garcia and his wife devote their life. From sun up to sun down his job never ends as he stays looking out for the best interest of his fighters. Garcia has lined up fights for his guys that have allowed them to learn from each victory while maximizing their potential. Garcia and his fighters are true talents and quickly becoming household names in Southern California.

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