Things you didn't know about AJ's new coach Robert Garcia
Angel Fernandez added a new trainer to the two-time world heavyweight champion’s training team, as he prepares for his rematch with the current unified heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk.
Roberto Garcia has been brought in to help Anthony Joshua recapture his IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO titles from the outstanding Ukrainian.
AJ and Usyk first fought in September 2021, the latter prevailing on points to become a two-weight world champion. The pair are expected to fight again this summer, possibly in the Middle East, in a bout that was delayed by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Usyk’s return to his homeland.
But who is the new 'Ace in the Hole' brought in to provide an added dimension to Joshua's game? BBN listed a few quick facts below:
Roberto Garcia Cortez was born January 29, 1975, in San Pedro, Los Angeles.
He grew up in Oxnard, California, from the age of two onwards, and still resides there.
Despite being American by nationality, he considers himself Mexican as both parents are of Mexican descent.
His parents were illegal immigrants up until the 1980s, and he grew up speaking Spanish and didn't learn English until he first went to school.
He was trained by his father, Eduardo Garcia, at the La Colonia Youth Boxing Club.
His younger brother is four-weight world champion Mikey Garcia, now 34.
His nephew is Javier Garcia, who is also a professional boxer.
His first amateur bout was at eight-years-old, and he went on to experience an extensive amateur career, winning the Silver Gloves regional championships in 1989 and 1990, he was also California junior Olympic champion (aged 14) in 1988. He even fought against Oscar De Le Hoya during the amateurs.
His first three fights were fought in Japan! He won them all by knockout between July 1992-November 1992.
Heavy-handed, he won nine from his first 10 bouts by knockout.
He was a two-weight NABF champion (feather and super-feather).
He was an IBF super-featherweight world champion from March 1998-October 1999. He defended the red and gold title successfully twice, but lost in his third defence to Diego Corrales at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
He once fought on the same card as Mike Tyson. It was January 1999 at the MGM Grand and one of Garcia's career highlights when he defeated two-time world champ John John Molina by unanimous decision to retain his IBF World championship. Heavyweight Mike Tyson KO'd Frans Botha in five rounds that night, and Zab Judah was also in action to go 19-0 before he was a world champion.
He challenged for the WBA World super-featherweight title in his second to last ever fight in 2001, but lost in the ninth round to then-unbeaten Joel Casamayor.
His three defeats came from world champions Diego Corrales and Joel Casamayor, and world title contender Ben Tackie.
His training career began at his old amateur gym, but he recently opened his own boxing gym named the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy.
The 47-year-old was voted Trainer of the Year by The Ring magazine in 2011, and by the Boxing Writers Association of America in 2012.
Bio
Fights: 37
Wins: 34
Losses: 3
Draws: 0
KOs: 25
KO Ratio: 67.57%
Height: 5′ 7½" / 171cm
Reach: 67" / 170cm
Stance: Orthodox
Fighters Trained:
Nonito Donaire
Mikey Garcia
Jose Carlos Ramirez
Brandon rios
Josesito Lopez
Marcos Maidana
Chris Algieri
Vergil Ortiz
Brian Viloria
Abner Mares
Antonio Margarito
Kelly Pavlik
Evgeny Gradovich
Tony Ferguson
Joan Guzman
Jesus Cuellar
Herman Marquez
Mia St. John
Joshua Franco
Felipe Campa
Thomas Dulorme
Jackson Marinez
Steve Luevano
Javier Garcia
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