Alex García (born December 2, 1961) is a retired Mexican-American boxer, who competed from 1987 to 2005 in the heavyweight division, best known for his short but nevertheless outstanding amateur career in 1986, and later to be a contender in the 1990s.
Early years
García grew up in
Van Nuys, California. "For two years, since he got out of prison, he's been working hard six days a week ... showing desire and discipline," Rodriguez said on his trainee.[2] "He's got 200 street fights. If a guy goes after you with a bumper jack, you better be elusive," said Rodriguez.[3]
Amateur career
García rapidly began dispatching his foes at the amateurs. He won the Southern California Golden Gloves title and went on to win the
exhibition bout on August 2, losing him twice in a row, both time by unanimous decision.[12] "I told myself I was going to become a fighter, going to stick with it. It was a big adjustment getting out (of prison). You get institutionalized, get out of the habits of normal life. Although I wanted to be a boxer, I never thought I'd come this far this fast," said García on his progress.[2]
1/4: Defeated Aziz Salihu (Yugoslavia) RSCH 2 (1:49)
1/2: Defeated
Biaggio Chianese
(Italy) RSCH 2 (referee Hong Chen Seng stopped the fight after giving three consecutive standing eight counts to Chianese; Italian corner protested; the bout was resumed and stopped again by the referee a minute later)
Lost to Vyacheslav Yakovlev (Soviet Union) by unanimous decision, 0−5
USA−USSR Exhibition (+201 lbs),
Houston, Texas
, August 1986:
Lost to Vyacheslav Yakovlev (Soviet Union) by unanimous decision, 0−3
1988 Olympics
He wasn't sure whether he would wait until after the
Seoul, South Korea, because, once he wanted to turn pro immediately.[3] This accounted for a brief hiatus, and finally, having 21 amateur fights under his belt, with a record of 17 wins (13 by knockout,) and 4 losses, García turned pro.[2]
Professional career
He started his pro career in California in 1987 and, apart from a cut stoppage loss against Dee Collier, dominated his opposition on his way to contention. Notable opponents at beaten by García at this stage of his career included Eddie Gonzalez, Rocky Sekorski, and Jerry Goff.
In 1992 he won the NABF title against Jerry Jones. After three successful defenses, and with a fight against Riddick Bowe in the advanced planning stage, he took a warm-up fight against Mike Dixon who KOd him by catching García with a blow to his temple. However, soon after in a rematch fight at the "Brady Theater" in Tulsa, OK in May 1994, Alex García won a unanimous decision against Mike Dixon. García never was a serious contender again, drawing with James Warring and getting KOd by Garing Lane.
In 1994 he lost his NABF title on points to fringe contender Joe Hipp, in 1995 he lost on points to Buster Mathis Jr.
