Remembering Boxer Quirino Garcia
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Ciudad Juarez, Mexico’s Quirino “Kenny” Garcia is an incredible story of a boxer. Starting out losing his first 18 Pro bouts, he ended up with a collection of Title Belts and a respected name in the sport.
He turned professional on April 27, 1990 in Tucson, AZ being stopped in 3 rounds by 2-0 Bobby Gunn. He was tough enough that he would be fed as an opponent to a lineup of pro boxers with a combined record of 113-6-1 in his first 18 bouts. He went 0-18 to start his career, but he was learning as he went along, and developed some excellent skills.
It was Sept. of 1994 when Garcia got his first win against Norberto Bueno (18-12, 14 ko) by tko in round 6. Garcia must have liked the taste of victory, because he did not lose another pro bout for the next 3 years! He fought for his first title, the Mexican National Middleweight championship against defending champion – Eduardo Gutierrez (19-3-1, 15 ko). The bout ended in a draw, but it cemented Garcia’s place of respect in professional boxing.
Garcia continued his hot streak defeating former World Champions, and contenders including: Rene Herrera, Jorge Vaca, Terrence Alli, Eric Holland, Charles Whittaker, Meldrick Taylor, and Simon Brown. And in that incredible stretch he won: The Mexican Jr. Middleweight, The WBB Jr. Middleweight, The IBF Inter-Continental Jr. Middleweight, and the WBC International Jr. Middleweight Titles.
He continued to face top notch opposition, defeating even more big names including: Alfred Ankamah, Buck Smith, Frankie Randall. He also lost a razor thin decision to Olympic Gold Medalist, and future World Champion David Reid.
Garica finally got his chance to challenge for a world title. It was March 23, 2002 when he traveled to London England and faced British hero – undefeated WBF Jr. Middleweight Champion Steve Roberts (28-0, 11 ko) for his title. Quirino lost a pretty lopsided unanimous decision.
Quirino Garcia: One of boxing’s great turnarounds
Garcia battled on, remaining world ranked for most of the rest of his boxing career. He fought for more titles, and faced more ranked opponents as he went along in a career that spanned nearly two decades!
He won the Mexican National Middleweight and Light-Heavyweight titles, and fought for the vacant IBA Middleweight title (Losing to David Lopez by decision), and also fought for the vacant NABO Light-Heavyweight Championship (that bout ending in a draw against Derrick Whitley).
Quirino fought his final pro bout on Nov. 28, 2009 regaining the vacant Mexican National Middleweight Title belt against Victor Hugo Lara, and then calling it a career.
Can you imagine a story of a boxer starting off 0-18, and finishing his career with a record of 40 wins, 28 losses, and 4 draws, winning 28 of those by knockout? Well, it happened… in REAL LIFE! An amazing boxing career to say the least.
I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing “Kenny” twice. The first time was Feb. 15, 1992 in Thornton, Colorado when he faced local favorite “Arrogant” Anthony Brown. And then again in Sept. of 1992 when he faced Daniel Perez in Albuquerque. He was 0-9 when he fought Brown, and 0-12 when he faced Perez. He lost both times, and I had no idea of the legendary champion that he would become. No one in attendance at either of those bouts had any idea of what he would achieve!
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