SoCal kids bring home the belts!

Garcia Bros at KC Amateur Tournament

Do you remember your 12th birthday as a kid?

Just on the verge of becoming a teenager and excited to leave your childhood behind while beginning to feel like a “big” kid?

Most boys and girls celebrating this milestone birthday would probably ask for a cool bike, video games or maybe a brand new Wii as they jot down their B-day Wish List. But for amateur boxer Ryan Garcia, his birthday wish was something money couldn’t buy.

The young fighter, who turned 12 yesterday, brought home a fancy gold belt, one he earned in a prelim round during the 2010 Ringside World Championships.

This tournament held at the KCI Expo Center in Kansas City, Missouri, is the granddaddy of all amateur boxing tournaments. I had the chance to spend several days there during the 2006 show and it was an experience I’ll never forget. If you love amateur boxing, this is one competition that you’ve got to see to believe. And who says boxing is losing its steam? There might be a lull in pro boxing, but this current wave of fighters with their youthful with dreams of the Olympics or turning pro is stronger than ever.

Ryan, and his brother, Sean, who hail from Victorville, California, were just two of over 1,500 boxers who came from all over the world to take part in this monumental event where both open and novice, male and female, children and adults all compete for four days in 62 divisions and in six rings.

Fighting in the 80-pound open division, Ryan is a local L.A. standout whose parents, Henry and Lisa, are also very active in the sport as USA Boxing officials. His dream is to be a member of the U.S. Olympic team in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Games. Already veterans of the Silver Gloves, Junior Golden Gloves, Desert Showdown, National PALs, Blue and Golds and more, both boys will now add a 2010 Ringside belt to their many other prizefighting belts, trophies and medals.

The finals were held this past weekend with the Garcia family coming home on Sunday, just in time to celebrate Ryan’s 12th year. And while his wish came true, the Birthday Boy also took part in a very exciting double celebration with his family.

His younger brother, Sean, age 9, is also a very talented boxer out of the 60-pound open division who also laced up and brought home a championship title from Saturday’s finals. Let’s just say that it was icing on the cake for Ryan, as his young sibling’s name filled the #1 slot after competing in the semi-final and championship brackets.

And it looks like nine-year-old Sean and his older sibling may have to get used to these dual victories.

“My boys both won the High Desert Showdown,” says proud papa, Henry, who is also dad to Demi, Sasha and Kayla. The family is extremely supportive with Ryan and Sean’s goals in the ring. Garcia said his boxing boys had a great time with the team culled from their area’s gyms. “Our team is from San Bernardino and run by Jimmy Quiroz and Marcella Carrillo,” he says. “It’s called Team MTC for ‘More Than Conquer.'”

The whole team had a winning experience as they learned the disciplines of the sweet science while competing on a world-class level. And the boys’ father is appreciative of all the additional support given to the entire San Bernardino County team. “We were all sponsored by James Ramos from San Manuel Casino,” said Garcia of the generous donation that allowed the boys and girls to travel and compete in this Midwestern tourney.

At this year’s show, little Sean conquered all his tough challengers to be declared the Ringside 2010 champ. After battling his sharp young foes from California and Illinois, the boy proudly strapped on his white and gold belt that overwhelmed his tiny torso.

Big brother Ryan competed in one of the preliminary rounds to earn his belt. “We had a ‘match made’ bout. If someone wants to accept the challenge, they can fight,” Henry explains. “So somebody was willing to challenge him and we fought Carlos Barraza.” This KC bout was a rematch of their Desert Showdown scrap in July.

His father adds that Ryan’s other fight against Jordan White, out of Waldorf, Maryland, was both a satisfying challenge and a lesson learned by the young pug, who fell short just a tiny bit short, just by a sliver in the decision.

“The fight was very close, by one point!” Henry states. The tough Jordan White went on to win the top championship belt in their division, but Garcia remains proud of his son’s performance in and out of the ring.

“It was a great bout,” Garcia raves. “How close can you get? It was a 2-1 decision overall.” Henry says he was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the scorecards. “It was 10-5 for Jordan, 10-5 for Ryan and 7-6 for Jordan,” he recalls. “We thought we won; I was amazed. But I am satisfied with Ryan’s performance. And Ryan was 11 when they fought; Jordan is 12, turning 13 soon.”

Both father and son also showed plenty of good sportsmanship, with Henry telling me all about what a fierce competitor White is. “The kid is very nice. And he’s a really good fighter!” Garcia comments. Adding a wry chuckle, he continues, “And no one from Southern California has beaten him yet! I admire him for that. He’s beaten EVERYONE from SoCal–but Ryan almost beat him!”

And Jordan also showed great sportsmanship too. Henry relays that after the match, White said to them, “‘Ryan, you’re the best guy I ever fought since I started boxing.’ That was a huge compliment for Ryan.”

In the amateur circuit, these kids will all grow up alongside each other, often fighting one another as they hone their craft on the canvas. So naturally a mutual admiration and respect is built through these competitions as well. This prestigious KC tournament is a great experience for the youngsters–and a fun trip for Ryan right before his 12th birthday.

On Sunday, Henry and his family returned home from Kansas City satisfied with the kids’ performances and their two belts. Now as summer vacation comes to a close, both sons will continue to train and plan to fight in the annual Blue and Gold Tournament starting next month.

Congratulations to the Garcias and to all the warriors at the 10th Annual Ringside tournament.

Photos courtesy of Henry Garcia