Loreto Garza

Last updated
Loreto Garza
Loreto garza 2.jpg
Image of Loreto Garza, the former world champion of light welterweight
Born (1962-05-23) May 23, 1962 (age 62)
NationalityAmerican
Statistics
Weight(s) Light welterweight
Height5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Reach72 in (183 cm)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights34
Wins31
Wins by KO26
Losses2
Draws1

Loreto Garza (born May 23, 1962 in Sacramento, California) is an American former professional boxer and world champion at light welterweight.

Contents

Career

Amateur

Garza started boxing amateur at 18 years old and did it for three years. He won the Golden Gloves all three years, along with other big tournaments and was also on the U.S. boxing team.

Professional

Garza turned pro in 1982 at the age of 21. Working his way up the ranks, he got his opportunity. In 1988, Garza won the WBC Americas light welterweight championship with a spectacular first-round knockout of former world champion Harry Arroyo. Arroyo was knocked down three times in the fight. Later on that year, Garza knocked out former world champion Charlie Brown (other wise known as "Choo Choo" Brown) in four rounds.

In 1989, Garza, with a single right hand in the 7th round, knocked out former world champion Joe Manley. Manley was out cold. A couple of months later on August 12, 1989, Garza won a unanimous decision in a 12-round war to win the USBA championship over #1 ranked contender Frankie Warren; Garza fought the last five rounds with his left eye swelled shut. Many boxing annals argue that Garza vs. Warren should have been the fight of the year.[ citation needed ]

On August 17, 1990, with only two weeks notice, Garza flew to Nice, France, and won the WBA light welterweight world title by majority decision over the reigning three-time world champion Juan Coggi. Garza looked sharp with a beautiful display of counter punching. He came back to his hometown of Sacramento and defended his world title against former five-time world champion Vinny Pazienza. Garza out-smarted and out-boxed Pazienza and had his face bloody and battered. Pazienza was frustrated throughout the fight and in the 11th round, Pazienza picked up Garza and tried to slam him in the ring, so the referee disqualified Pazienza. [1] The following year, Garza lost the belt to Edwin Rosario via 3rd round TKO. Garza was down twice the first and twice in the third round. [2]

Garza had three more fights after that and won them by knockout, and was promised another world title shot, but it seemed like all the world champions would duck when it came to Garza. He retired in 1993.

As a main event fighter, Garza also headlined two pay-per-view fights.

Professional boxing record

34 fights31 wins2 losses
By knockout262
By decision40
By disqualification10
Draws1
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
34Win31–2–1Gilberto FloresTKO8 (10)1993-03-25Radisson Hotel, Sacramento, California, U.S.
33Win30–2–1Tony ContrerasKO2 (10)1992-09-30Radisson Hotel, Sacramento, California, U.S.
32Win29–2–1Alberto CastroKO7 (10)1991-11-15ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California, U.S.
31Loss28–2–1 Edwin Rosario TKO3 (12)1991-06-14ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California, U.S.Lost WBA super lightweight title
30Win28–1–1 Vinny Pazienza DQ11 (12)1990-12-01ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California, U.S.Retained WBA super lightweight title
29Win27–1–1 Juan Martin Coggi MD12 (12)1990-08-17 Palais des Congrès Acropolis, Nice, FranceWon WBA super lightweight title
28Win26–1–1Rosenberg RosasKO5 (10)1990-02-05ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California, U.S.
27Win25–1–1Frankie WarrenUD12 (12)1989-08-12ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California, U.S.
26Win24–1–1Francisco Tomas da CruzTKO4 (10)1989-05-15Radisson Hotel, Sacramento, California, U.S.
25Win23–1–1Manuel NeryKO2 (10)1989-03-05ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California, U.S.
24Win22–1–1 Joe Manley KO7 (10)1989-01-25 ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California, U.S.
23Win21–1–1Stewart BaynesTKO9 (10)1988-07-23ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California, U.S.
22Win20–1–1 Harry Arroyo TKO1 (12)1988-04-22ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California, U.S.Won WBC Continental Americas super lightweight title
21Win19–1–1 Charlie Brown TKO4 (10)1988-02-12ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California, U.S.
20Win18–1–1Javier JuarezTKO1 (10)1987-09-25ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California, U.S.
19Win17–1–1Amy PacanaKO1 (10)1987-09-01ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California, U.S.
18Win16–1–1Gary WilliamsTKO1 (10)1987-07-01ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California, U.S.
17Win15–1–1Willie MontanaTKO6 (10)1987-05-21ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California, U.S.
16Win14–1–1Mauricio NavaKO1 (6)1987-03-09ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California, U.S.
15Win13–1–1Roberto GarciaKO7 (8)1986-09-27Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, U.S.
14Win12–1–1Roberto GarciaTKO2 (6)1986-07-20 Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, U.S.
13Win11–1–1Erwin BrownKO3 (8)1986-06-05 ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California, U.S.
12Win10–1–1Chauncey HayesUD8 (8)1986-02-23Auditorium, Richmond, California, U.S.
11Win9–1–1Rene HedmanTKO1 (6)1985-08-15Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, U.S.
10Draw8–1–1Ernie LanderosPTS6 (6)1985-06-18Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, U.S.
9Win8–1Mario LopezTKO2 (6)1984-07-03Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, U.S.
8Win7–1Jerry LewisKO3 (6)1984-04-03Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, U.S.
7Win6–1Peter CunninghamSD6 (6)1984-03-06Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, U.S.
6Loss5–1Francisco Tomas da CruzTKO4 (6)1983-11-15Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, U.S.
5Win5–0Jose ResendezKO3 (5)1983-10-25Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, U.S.
4Win4–0Howard SmithKO4 (?)1983-10-21Vallejo, California, U.S.
3Win3–0Francisco EstrellaKO1 (6)1983-06-21Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, U.S.
2Win2–0James SowellKO2 (6)1983-04-05Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, U.S.
1Win1–0Don CanadaKO2 (5)1983-02-01 Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, U.S.

See also

References

  1. "Garza Retains His WBA Title". Los Angeles Times. 2 December 1990. Retrieved 2023-02-21.
  2. "Rosario kayos champ for title". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2023-02-21.
Sporting positions
World boxing titles
Preceded by WBA super lightweight champion
August 17, 1990 – June 14, 1991
Succeeded by