Ceferino Garcia
| Ceferino Garcia | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Ceferino Garcia |
| Nickname(s) |
Bolo Punch Pedro |
| Rated at | Middleweight |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Born |
Ceferino Montano Garcia August 26, 1906 Tondo, Manila, Philippine Islands[1] |
| Died |
January 1, 1981 (aged 74) San Diego, California, United States[2] |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 162 |
| Wins | 118 |
| Wins by KO | 74 |
| Losses | 30 |
| Draws | 14 |
Ceferino Montano Garcia (August 26, 1906 – January 1, 1981) was a champion boxer born in Naval, Biliran, Philippines. He holds the most victories ever achieved by a Filipino boxer and is also the only boxer from the Philippines to become world champion in the middleweight division.[3] Garcia is commonly credited to as the first well known user of the bolo punch, which was later popularized by Cuban fighter Kid Gavilan.[4] He was inducted into the Ring Magazine Hall of Fame in 1977 and the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1989.[5]
Early life
Ceferino Garcia was the son of Fortunato Garcia and Pascuala Montano and was the oldest of six children.[6] He never completed first grade and became quite indulged in gambling.[6] At 17, he was feared by many that nobody would take him in a street fight. He was also a skilled blacksmith.
Boxing success
While working at a bakery in Cebu City, Garcia met a boxing promoter. This was where his career as boxer started.[6]
On September 23, 1937, Garcia first had a shot for a world title in the welterweight division. However, Barney Ross bested him by unanimous decision.
On October 2, 1939, Garcia fought for the world Middleweight title in the United States and won it. He defended that title three times until he lost to Ken Overlin on points. He was managed, during the final years of his career by George Parnassus.
Life after boxing
After retiring from the ring he made a few uncredited appearances in Hollywood films with the exception of "Joe Palooka, Champ" in which he plays himself.[7] He was also employed for a time by actress Mae West as her chauffeur and bodyguard.
During the 1930s and 1940s, Garcia lived on 1042 S. Rowan St., in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles.[8]
Garcia died on January 1, 1981 while in San Diego, California.[9] His grave is located at Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery in North Hollywood, California.[10]
Notable bouts
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References
- ↑ Ceferino Garcia on California, Los Angeles Passenger Lists, 1907-1948. Familysearch.org. Retried 2015-09-06.
- ↑ California Death Index, 1940-1997
- ↑ "Ceferino Garcia the first Filipino Champ of the World!". Boxing360.com. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
- ↑ "Ceferino Garcia - Boxrec Boxing Encyclopaedia". Boxrec.com. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
- ↑ "Ceferino Garcia". Cyber Boxing Zone. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
- 1 2 3 "Where Is Ceferino Garcia?". Web.archive.org. Archived from the original on October 27, 2009. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
- ↑ Ceferino García - Internet Movie Database (IMDb)
- ↑ "Filipino Boxer's Home Robbed of Radios" Los Angeles Times, May 9, 1940.
- ↑ AP (1981-01-02). "Ceferino Garcia, Former Boxer - Won Middleweight Crown in '39". NYTimes.com. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
- ↑ "Ceferino Garcia (1906 - 1981) - Find A Grave Memorial". Findagrave.com. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
- ↑ Ceferino Garcia's Professional Boxing Record. BoxRec.com. Retrieved on 2014-05-18.
External links
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Fred Apostoli |
NYSAC World Middleweight Champion Oct 2, 1939– May 23, 1940 |
Succeeded by Ken Overlin |