A FEW WORDS WITH MARGARITO'S OPPONENT ROBERT GARCIA
By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 14 Apr 2010
Most ?boxing fans? except perhaps the real aficionados or those living in the beautiful south Texas area would know Robert Garcia, the young super middleweight known in his hometown as ?La Amenaza? (The Threat).
Garcia hails from Weslaco, Texas a small town of about 12.8 square miles in the heart of the Rio Grande Valley in Hidalgo County. The area is close to South Padre Island, a famous vacation stop for many people seeking the sun and the surf. It is also in the ?tornado alley?.
Garcia for some reason was picked by the good people of Top Rank as the opponent of Antonio Margarito at Agua Calientes, Mexico on May 8th. Margarito who is on a comeback trail from his year-long suspension by the California State Athletic Commission after being caught with ?plaster in his hand wrap? prior to his fight with Shane Mosley last year at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, can only fight in Mexico for now.
For his fight with Margarito Garcia will be training at the Wildcard Gym. Most boxers at that gym needing mouthguards are referred by Freddie Roach to our offices.
But Garcia was referred to us for another reason besides his need for a custom made mouthguard. He was having a constant toothache!
When we first saw Garcia at our offices, we determined that he needs some urgent dental work besides a mouthguard. But Garcia wanted to have a mouthguard done first and then have his dental problems managed so his sparring will not be interrupted. That is exactly what we reluctantly did but only after we got a promise from Garcia that he will be back in two days.
A couple of days after his mouthguard was delivered to him, Garcia came back to our offices for the dental work. That?s when we confirmed that he needs an urgent root canal to manage his immediate dental problem and allow him an uninterrupted training regimen.
The procedure was completed in one seating and Garcia came away from our offices feeling really good because he can continue his training.
But before he left, we managed to ask a few questions regarding his fight.
Dr Ed: How?s training going so far?
Garcia: Training is really good and everybody is starting to notice the improvements. Freddie indicated that I am coming along well and he is pleased with what he is seeing in me.
Dr Ed: Why do you think Top Rank picked you to go against Margarito in his comeback fight?
Garcia: I don?t really know for sure but I guess it?s because I am not yet known too well and my presence will not over-shadow Margarito. And, I have a good fight record too. ( 28-2-0, 21 KO).
But that is good as far as I am concerned because after the fight people will start to know me better and that?s a good thing.
Dr. Ed: What do you know about Margarito other than the fact that he was allegedly attempting to use plaster in his hand wraps against Mosley?
Garcia: I know him as a strong fighter who can go the distance. I know that he is well conditioned and is out to prove something.
Dr.Ed: Any prediction on the fight.
Garcia: I know I will win.
Dr.Ed: Do you have a message for your fans out there?
Garcia: After May 8th, Robert Garcia will no longer be a long kept secret. People will know the fighter that beat Margarito in his come back fight.
Dr.Ed Thank you Robert.
Garcia: Oh I should be the one thanking you. You saved my fight with Margarito.
Top photo: Robert Garcia poses Dr Ed de la Vega at the latter's clinic in Canoga Park, CA.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
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