The Avila Perspective, Chapter 7: The Rise of Boxing’s Garcia Clan

Under the hot metal roof of the hilltop boxing gym, the team of Mikey Garcia watches him run through his routine from wrapping hands to shadow boxing.

It’s a cool 98 degrees for the city of Riverside, temperatures can easily reach 108 or higher. Nobody seems to pay attention to the minor heat.

Since the late 1980s, the Garcias, led by the patriarch Eduardo Garcia, have made boxing gyms their second home. One son after another has put on leather boxing gloves and jumped in the boxing ring. From Danny, to Robert, to Fernando Vargas and then to Mikey, they all laced up as normally as kids riding a bicycle. Vargas was an adopted member of the Garcia family since age 12.

On Saturday, Mikey Garcia (38-0, 30 KOs) puts his WBC strap on the line against IBF lightweight titleholder Robert Easter (21-0, 14 KOs) in a 12 round fight at Staples Center in Los Angeles. Showtime will televise.

Vargas, now 40, remembers well the early days back in Oxnard.

“When I first went to their house Mikey was still in pampers,” said Vargas who spent most of his youth at the Garcia household in La Colonia in the late 1980s. “For a long time Mikey didn’t want anything to do with boxing. But then it all changed.”

Mikey Garcia followed in his older brothers footsteps reluctantly at first. Though he was always extremely strong for his age, and showed a fierce attacking style, the youngest of the Garcia brothers was hesitant about putting all his marbles into the circle. But once he donned the gloves it was clear he was very good.

Back in 2004, when still an amateur, I remember seeing the entire Garcia team follow Mikey into the small packed gymnasium at Lincoln Park in East L.A. during the Golden Gloves tournament. The gym was filled with talented young boxers including many that would move on to successful pro careers. One of those was Carlos Molina whose two brothers would later make Olympic teams.

It was a battle between two power-packed boxing gyms from the Southern California area. The Garcias traveled from their Oxnard gym at La Colonia and the Molinas from City of Commerce that had produced numerous U.S. and Mexico National champions including Panchito Bojado, Elizabeth Quevedo and Carlos Molina.

Many of the crowd in the East L.A. park remained to see the expected battle. No one was disappointed.

That day Garcia and Molina unloaded furious exchanges against each other. It was clear throughout the tournament that both were above average in talent. Against each other it was clear both would advance far in the professional ranks. In that afternoon the fans saw the Southern California future of boxing. Garcia won that day after three extremely close fought rounds.

Defense

Even as an amateur it was clear that Mikey Garcia had a pro style that didn’t fit in with the amateur slap and run method used by most in the upper echelons. He stood his ground and looked to connect with hard blows. When he jabbed he used the left to open up the defense and disrupt the timing of his opponents. Power emanated from both his lefts and rights.

One thing differed from Mikey than was seen from his brothers. His defense was more polished and refined.

Eduardo Garcia explained that when it came to Mikey he was able to use all the knowledge gained from his older sons’ experiences and tie it all together for the youngest son. Defense was a priority with Mikey unlike with Robert and Danny Garcia. He had begun implementing more defensive strategies with Fernando Vargas when he became the youngest super welterweight world champion.

“Big G (Eduardo) told me you can beat Ike Quartey if you’re smart,” said Vargas about his pivotal world title defense against Ike “Bazooka” Quartey in April 2000. “Eduardo is a mastermind when it comes to boxing.”

That night in the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Vargas showcased the strategy of moving, not running, side to side and changing the direction that kept the heavy-hitting Quartey off balance. The Ghanian fighter who traded knockdowns with Oscar De La Hoya in 1999, was unable to land a solid blow on Vargas. “El Feroz” never stayed in front of Quartey, but was able to connect with his own combinations. After 12 rounds Vargas gained a clear cut victory due to the defensive and offensive strategies employed by trainer Eduardo Garcia.

Vargas attributes the success of the Garcias to the father Eduardo Garcia, who no longer trains fighters but sits side-by-side with son Robert advising occasionally about tactics and technique here and there.

“Big G is the ultimate trainer,” says Vargas who now trains fighters in Las Vegas at the Feroz Fight Factory. “It’s amazing to see what Mikey has done. He’s been taught by an amazing trainer who has a gift from God who made three world champions out of scratch. Very few have done that.”

When Mikey Garcia appears at press conferences and media days he’s always cool and calm despite the rhetoric and hyperbole. Just like his father Eduardo Garcia and brother’s Danny and Robert Garcia. Cool, calm and collected.

On fighting Easter, a taller opponent who has a five-inch height advantage and power-plus weaponry, Mikey Garcia was his usual relaxed and introspective self during the exchanges with the media.

“(Easter) He’s dangerous he has power. I have to be aware of and prepared for it,” said Garcia almost in monotone. “That’s what we worked on in the gym. I’ll work on those adjustments.”

Once again the Garcia clan will gather together for yet another battle. This time they head toward Staples Center near their homes in Riverside, California. It’s a mere 60 miles away. It’s a rare event for Mikey Garcia who has not fought in Southern California in nine years.

“I’m very happy we landed a unification match and landed it here in LA. It’s more wonderful to share this with my local supporters,” said Mikey Garcia. “I’ve been fighting in Texas, New York, this time they (fans) are definitely going to be there.”

Though it’s rare to hear any of the Garcias openly speak of their prowess, it’s something that the youngest has learned to use when needed.

“I have always believed that I’m the best, nobody else better than me, no one else equal to me,” said Garcia during a media call. “I’m looking for a chance to win another title and to cement my name.”

And that would be another notch to the Garcia clan’s legacy.

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