Is Boxing Trainer Robert Garcia More Bark Than Bite?
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By Anthony “Stacks” SaldañaPhoto by Cynthia “Cindy Lou” Saldaña
Recently I was asked if famed boxing trainer Robert Garcia was more bark than bite? Everything I know about Garcia tells me no. Garcia grew up in the coastal Southern California town of Oxnard. A town known for hard working, deep rooted Mexican families. Families that work the strawberry fields, and like other families in the community Robert’s parents also worked the fields for several years. Robert grew up training with his father Eduardo at La Colonia Boxing Gym in Oxnard, and in 1998 Garcia became the IBF Super Featherweight Champion after defeating Harold Warren. Garcia had two successful defenses before losing the title to Diego Corrales.
Robert went on to lose his next fight to Ben Tackie and retired in 2001 at the age of 26. After retirement, Robert who had seemed to lose interest in the sport was asked by his father Eduardo to help train some amateur fighters, from there the ball was rolling. Robert went on to help his father train former world champion Fernando Vargas, and around the same time helped start the careers of Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios and Victor Ortiz. Robert eventually went on to open Robert Garcia Boxing Academy (RGBA) and has trained over 20 World Champions, fighters that include, Nonito Donaire, Marcos Maidana, Evgeny Gradovich, Marco Antonio Rubio, Brian Viloria and Abner Mares to name a few. Garcia who has been a staple to the sport has also been recognized three times as trainer of the year, twice by Ring Magazine and once by the BWAA.
I’ve talked to Robert on several occasions at the Belasco Theater in downtown Los Angeles. Robert is a regular there where he trains several boxing prospects who aren’t in the limelight of the sport yet. Fighters like Jonathan Navarro, Hector Tanajara, JR. and Genaro Gamez. One thing I can say about my conversations with Garcia is that he truly cares about his fighters and their families. There is a connection with Garcia that I have rarely seen among trainer and fighter. Garcia has always been very approachable to not only media, but fans as well. I recently spoke to undefeated Golden Boy prospect Hector Tanajara, JR. and he stated “Robert is all about family and working with Robert is like working with family. We have fun but work is work. He contributes his growth as a fighter to his ability to train with fighters such as Mikey Garcia and Saul “Neno” Rodriguez day in and day out.
He also told me Robert has the ability to help young fighters transition from amateurs to the pro’s. Robert does what he does for the love of the sport. He challenges these guys to go above and beyond and to succeed. Garcia also has a good working relationship with all promoters and promotional companies including Golden Boy, Top Rank, Al Haymon and PBC. The RGBA Gym is also open to the public everyday after 4:00 P.M to give the youth of Oxnard a chance to focus on boxing rather than gangs or drugs that run rampant in the community. Garcia’s record as a trainer speaks for itself, he understands the strengths and weaknesses of fighters and uses his style to help them adjust. To some Robert may seem cocky, but I believe Robert has helped the sport and he will continue to produce champions in Oxnard one of the hotbeds for all boxing.
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