San Diego’s Aaron “El Gavilan” Garcia (10-1-2, 2KOs) will be taking his next step on the come-back trail when he collides with undefeated 23-year-old prospect Abraham Lopez (13-0, 10KOs) of La Puente, California in the main event of a Thompson Boxing Promotion on April 29 at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, Calif.
After defeating Tijuana prospect Alejandro Lopez (20-2, 7KOs) on February 26 in his first fight back after a two year layoff — and the new task Garcia faces on April 29 in Ontario — you could say “The Hawk” is flying from each destination to the next on the redemption trail, rather than stepping.
Garcia wouldn’t have it any other way as he knows where his talents lie and where they have guided him in an illustrious past as an amateur and former top prospect with high expectations. Even when hurdles were abound pertaining to Aaron’s boxing future he nor his family, friends and those who truly know him ever stopped believing he had what it takes to successfully put food on the table throwing hands.
Nothings changed, except for the fact that for the first time in a long time Aaron has a business support system and training team that whole heartedly not only believe in Aaron, but know that whatever hurdles may present themselves in his future as they always do in boxing, “El Gavilan” has what it takes to have a fruitful profitable career prizefighting. Whatever the future holds good or bad, Team Garcia is behind “The Hawk” for the long haul.
If there were any anxieties concerning those close to Garcia about his fighting high level competition from the outset of his re-surging career, Aaron put those feelings to rest, convincingly beating prospect Alejandro Lopez in a minor upset, while putting on display the seriousness of his resurgence.
Getting to this present point in time was not only a blessing but an undertaking considering what Aaron had to go through to find himself standing opposite Alejandro Lopez in February. Instead of lacing up against a mediocre journeyman in Ramon Flores — who Aaron was originally slated to face on the under card of stable mate and rising star Mercito Gesta’s Feb. 18 main event on Solo Boxeo in San Francisco — destiny brought forth Lopez.
The humble and appreciative Garcia was just happy to be back in the squared circle against a man who deserves respect if for nothing else, the choice of his chosen profession. Then fate reared it’s pretty head and before “The Hawk” knew it he was flying all over Southern Cali and Nevada in search of prey.
Aaron’s hectic journey to Lopez started early Feb. 18 when his son Aaron Jr. was born hours before Senior flew to Frisco to face Ramon Flores. When Aaron arrived in San Francisco, the new father got word hours before stepping through the ropes that Alejandro Lopez –who was fighting the following day Saturday Feb. 19 on the Donaire-Montiel under card at Mandalay Bay — was suddenly void an opponent. Aaron got the call and before he knew it the stakes had been significantly raised and he was right back in the sky leaving the Golden-Gate nerve center headed to Sin City for a colossal opportunity.
After arriving in Vegas fate struck again when Aaron’s fight with Alejandro was cancelled on fight day due to the fact that Aaron had problems getting sanctioned for the battle on short notice. Luckily the fight was rescheduled after the issues were resolved for the following Saturday, Feb. 26 on the under card of WBA lightweight champion Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios’ championship tussle with Miguel Acosta at the Palms in Vegas.
The fight was rescheduled before the Montiel-Donaire fight had begun but Aaron didn’t stick around for the two-round destruction of Montiel but hopped right back on the airbus headed homeward to San Diego to be with his family and newborn.
One more speed bump presented itself when Aaron’s fight with Alejandro ended up being a four round match up instead of eight rounds due to time constraints, leaving Garcia with precious time to impress the powers that be. And that’s just what “El Gavilan” did beating the young charge decisively. “I had to rush him pretty much, four rounds goes by pretty fast,” Aaron relayed to me yesterday over the telephone.
When it was all said and done Garcia won a majority decision with scores of 39-37 twice and 38-38, to the delight of his trainer Vince Parra who put Aaron on his shoulders lifting “The Hawk” towards the sky.
“I went in their and tried to take his head off and just kept tagging him. I know I won three of the four rounds,” intoned the 28-year-old Garcia.
The good fortune persist when a few days ago the Garcia-Lopez clash became official, giving Aaron two hot prospects with which to show off his wares from the outset of his return.
Both fighters can make a big statement with a victory in this confrontation as they each bring a briefcase filled with winning credentials. Lopez’s professional resume of 13-0, 10 KOs, speaks for itself, he doesn’t know how to lose. Queries about just how good Lopez is still need to be addressed though. Abraham’s last four adversaries had losing records as well as feather fist. If Lopez can beat Aaron with the skill set Garcia brings to the canvas, Aaron can legitimize Abraham’s ability. On the flip side, Garcia’s just the man to expose a lack-there-of and send him back to the drawing board.
Experience is knowledge and while both warriors have 13 pro fights under their belts, Garcia is more accomplished and has a treasure of amateur trinkets to prove it.
Garcia is a boxer puncher who likes to let his hands fly. With a pretty impressive file himself that reads 10-1-2, 2KOs, and don’t let the kayo percentage fool you, Aaron possesses horsepower. More than likely Aaron doesn’t know, or hasn’t discovered his full punching potential as he –regardless of age — is in the first few chapters of his career. Many times, as prospects become more comfortable in the ring and confident with their boxing assets, they begin to sit down on their punches looking to realize their maximum strength. One of Garcia’s prominent weapons is his body punching and he digs into the torso with vigor. It wouldn’t be wise to overlook the sturdiness of his strikes.
While Garcia hasn’t yet claimed his fame, make no mistake about it, “The Hawk” wants you to know he possesses the technical abilities to soar amongst the top dogs. There’s still question marks surrounding Aaron too of course — his durability, chin, gas tank and how he deals with adversity to name a few — and a year or two from now many of those curiosities will have answers, concerning both pugilist for that matter.
A victory for Garcia would speak volumes as to his talent and determination. Dispatching two prospects in a row — in your first two fights back after a lengthy lay-off — reeks of natural ability and Garcia wants you to smell what he smells.
Lopez fights for Thompson Boxing Promotions — the outfit presenting the nights festivities April 29 in Ontario, CA — and many believe it to be a tough chore to capture a decision win over a Ken Thompson boxer on their home turf. I asked Aaron if this opinion concerns him and he responded, “No it doesn’t concern me. We are going to fight our fight and whatever they do is on them. We also aren’t trying to leave it in the judges hands.”
Aaron Garcia is a sizable step up for the undefeated young gun as Abraham Lopez’s recent competition presents nowhere near the boxing ability he will oppose April 29 in the experienced Garcia. Lopez nonetheless is undefeated and it’s always a task to grasp someone’s “O,” but “The Hawks” talons are ready to put in work. ”
This SoCal featherweight is in hot pursuit of immediate recognition as he looks to slice up another prospect, emphatically catapulting himself back into familiar territory.
Watch “El Gavilan” Garcia hold court April 29 at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, CA as he locks horns with Abraham Lopez in the eight round featherweight main event. This dual promises to be a tear up as Aaron “El Gavilan” Garcia continues his road to back recognition.
More information and details on the fight card coming soon.