2010 Finals held in San Antonio, Texas
Meet amateur boxer Ryan Garcia, the 2010 National PAL Champion who was the “last boy standing” in a tough competition where thousands of young fighters from all over the United States flock to compete in this highly-anticipated tournament.
“Ryan is the 2010 National PAL Champion here in San Antonio, Texas!” was the proud announcement I received over the weekend from the new champ’s father, Henry Garcia. He couldn’t wait to share the exciting news with me: “Ryan won the 11-12, Open Division, 85 pound weight class. This is a big event!”
The 12-year-old, hailing from the Victorville, California area, was a contestant in the youngest division of the prestigious USA Boxing-sanctioned event. For one week in October, boxing’s best meet in center ring for this 36th Annual National Police Athletic League Boxing Championship. And after several days of competition, the cream of the crop in both male and female age and weight divisions were crowned this year’s champions in the rings set up in the San Antonio Municipal Auditorium.
With guns blazing, these little combatants–in their mandatory headgear and tank tops–come charging out of their corners rarin’ to go and hoping to score blow after blow. If you’ve never watched amateur boxing, you’re missing out on seeing a multitude of skilled youth giving everything they’ve got as they battle for each victory that inches them closer toward their Olympic dreams or goals of going pro someday. While most of the tiny combatants weigh less than 100 pounds, don’t ever underestimate their heart, will and skill inside those four corners. These talented tots are some of the toughest warriors you’ll meet.
I’ve known Ryan, his parents Henry and Lisa, and his younger brother, Sean for a couple of years now and have watched the boys earn belt after belt while adding plenty of trophies and medals to their championship mantle as they compete at shows and 
tournaments around town. For this PAL competition, it was a father and son trip to the western state along with other boxers from their region.
“There were three fighters in our group but Ryan was the only one that won,” explains the boy’s dad. Wife Lisa stayed home with their second son Sean and his sisters Kayla, Sasha and Demi while Henry gave the family updates as the bouts were fought–and won.
“The boy that Ryan fought in the Semi Finals was a boy named Noah Jones and the finalist that Ryan beat was Vergil Ortiz,” Garcia relays. “They’re both out of Texas. And Ryan’s final score was 7-1; it was computer scoring method which means five judges must press at the same time to receive a score.”
While Ryan’s feeling a sense of joy and satisfaction from the countless hours he’s put in the gym, the adolescent is also feeling a sense of relief and accomplishment that he competed at the highest level and is returning home a champion. The small pugilist is also grateful for the wave of support he received from so many.
“I feel relief and now I don’t have to worry about anything!” Ryan says. “I just get to celebrate by coming home to see my family and friends, especially my mom and all the friends that supported me.” The Adelanto resident hopes to become a U.S. Olympian someday but for now says he’s enjoying his victory after winning Saturday’s championship bout.
The families that are involved in youth boxing make so many sacrifices of driving the youngsters from gym to gym, show to show while painstakingly saving up the necessary funds to travel to various shows both in the U.S. and internationally. I see the dedication, passion and laser-like focus as these little champs continue to rise through the ranks. Both Henry and Lisa are also USA Boxing officials; the whole family lives, breathes and eats boxing. And the couple is very appreciative of the many generous sponsors who believe in the talents of their punching phenoms.
“We were sponsored by San Manuel’s James Ramos,” Henry tells me. “They’ve been so generous.” Without the generous sponsorships and the community effort, the kids wouldn’t be able to travel and learn the disciplines of the sweet science.
For the boys and girls lacing up, competing in these shows encourages them to learn good sportsmanship along the way. The youngsters who compete may be foes while inside the ropes, but the children also become friends and teammates through these national showdowns. Many of the parents and trainers also become close through the boxing fraternity and even root each other on.
After Ryan won his final match in the Junior Division, he and his dad stayed to cheer on a couple of other amateur standouts. “Rau’shee Warren is fighting tonight in the finals,” said Henry. They also wanted to catch Louie Byrd’s championship bout in the 108-pound division. Cincinnati’s Warren and Denver’s Byrd fought for top honors this past weekend and were both victors. “Rau’shee and Louie are in different regions,” confirms Garcia as he offered more good news. “Rau’shee and Louie both won with style!”
As the happy father and son duo returned home Sunday, I asked him what’s next for both Ryan and Sean, or as I like to call them the mighty little “Bash Brothers”!
“Sean could not qualify for this one since they start at 11 years old,” explained their Pops. “So next is the Silver Gloves for my boys.”
While Ryan can take some time to enjoy his most recent win as the reigning 2010 PAL champ in his division, look for the pre-teen to train harder than ever as the Garcia family next sets its sights on the Silver Gloves.
Congratulations to Ryan Garcia and to ALL of the 2010 National PAL fighters and champions!
Photos courtesy Henry Garcia
