California Also Takes Team Trophy!

Ryan Garcia has been crowned the new 2011 Junior Golden Gloves Champion at the 2011 Nationals held in Mesquite, Nevada.

“Good morning, Michele! Ryan won last night at the Junior Golden Gloves held in Mesquite,” was the cheerful update I received from Team Garcia. “This is his fifth national title.”

Young Ryan, age 12, and his brother Sean, 10, are the fightin’ pride of San Bernardino County. The siblings can certainly be called the “Bash Brothers” for their many achievements in the amateur boxing world.

Both boys fought in the prestigious national tournament held this past weekend at the CasaBlanca Resort with Ryan winning his title Saturday night. “Sean came out short this time,” their parents, Henry and Lisa, explain but the youngsters are already aiming their sights toward the Ringside World Championships held next month in Kansas City. “Unfortunately Sean lost,” Ryan nods, “but we will be fighting at Ringside next!”

But before the big Missouri tourney there will be some time for a double celebration for the Garcia clan. Ryan will be celebrating his recent victory at the Junior Golden Gloves while awaiting his 13th birthday on August 8.

And this little sharpshooter has already shown his heart and true grit that belies his youth. During his championship match, he faced some major adversity while competing with one arm–literally.

“What’s interesting about Ryan’s fight is that he injured his right arm in the semi-finals against Devin Haney,” his father tells me, “and boxed in the finals using his left arm 98% of the time!”

“He had also had a shoulder injury a little while ago, right?” I asked.

“Yes, but his whole right arm was completely useless in the third round and that’s why his teammates were amazed,” Garcia further explains. “He beat Andres Borrego from Colorado, 95 pounds, 11-12 open division.”

“I remember Andres!” I mention to Henry. “He was featured in my Silver Gloves story as one of the ‘Outstanding Boxers.’ He’s very talented too so that must have been a great match.”

“Yes it was!” the family says. “Andres performed beautifully with his first two opponents–but fell short in points to Ryan.”

With Ryan and his teammate’s victories, California had a great showing at this annual duel in the desert with many Southland champs bringing home those slick white championship belts.

“California won the 1st Place Team Trophy,” Garcia adds. “New Jersey came in 2nd and Nevada came in 3rd place for Team Trophy.”

The amateur circuit keeps the kids busy training and working hard to showcase their skills in one-minute rounds. Their pound-for-pound champ’s next birthday will propel him into longer rounds and bigger challenges.

“Ryan turns 13 August 8–in two weeks,” his proud parents mention. “Then he will be boxing a minute and a half rounds.”

And the tough “one-armed bandit” is more than up to it.

“I had to fight with one arm. My other I hurt in the semi bout,” Ryan relays to me. “But it was cool that I beat the kid with one arm!”

Amateur boxing has provided the children an avenue to learn discipline, good sportsmanship and mental toughness enforced in the sweet science. But most importantly, the youth get to travel, see new places and meet new friends along the way–on their way to the Olympics or a pro career.

The whole Garcia crew (which also includes Ryan’s sisters Sasha, Demi and Kayla) is immersed in boxing, with the kids having growing up around the ring. And sons Ryan and Sean are even featured models in the current issue of the Ringside catalog as the 2011 National Silver Gloves Champions. The boys told me they had a good time posing for the shot seen in the glossy catalog touting boxing equipment.

In the ad, Ryan is holding up the #1 sign while little bro Sean has his dukes up as the page announces, “Awards that represent the best in boxing.”

Setting their sights high, the Garcias will work hard to be the best–and continue to beat the best, staying in the top echelon for their age and weight divisions. Ryan’s long-term goal is to compete in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. While they work hard and train harder, they also make time for fun and just being a “kid.”

With summer underway I ask Ryan if he had a good time competing, even while injured.

“YES!” Ryan, the reigning Junior Golden Gloves champ, replies, “I did have fun–it was great!”

At age 12, that’s the name of the game too. Having fun while competing in the amateurs is an aspect not overlooked by the family.

Look for the Brothers Garcia to continue to have fun–and win more championship titles as they continue on their journey.

Photos courtesy of Henry Garcia