EXCLUSIVE
I’ve trained Anthony Joshua and Jesse Rodriguez – but the most talented fighter I’ve worked with is ‘The Filipino Flash’
Robert Garcia is one of boxing's most respected coaches.
The former IBF super featherweight king has moulded 16 world champions during his illustrious career on the other side of the ropes and has trained some of the sport's biggest names.
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Anthony Joshua, Marcos Maidana, Antonio Margarito and his brother Mikey Garcia have all worked under 'Grandpa's' watchful eye, while his current crop of fighters is topped by WBC and lineal super flyweight champion Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez.
Picking your most talented fighter is no easy feat for a trainer, especially when you have helped guide the careers of as many outstanding pugilists as Garcia has.
But when pressed by marvelbet369.com, Garcia cast his verdict.
"If we are talking about talent, discipline and heart then Bam Rodriguez, Vergil Ortiz and Nonito Donaire are up there," he told marvelbet369.com during an exclusive interview.
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"I try to keep family out of my favourites because that is my brother Mikey [Garcia].
"Mikey was very talented but if I had to single out one I would probably stick with Nonito Donaire.
"He was a warrior and an absolutely fantastic fighter."
Garcia took over as Nonito Donaire's trainer after an acrimonious split with his father in 2009.
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As a pairing, they went on to claim world titles at bantamweight and super bantamweight.
However, cracks started to form when 'The Filipino Flash' was defeated by Guillermo Rigondeaux in 2013.
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For his next fight against Vic Darchinyan, Garcia shared the reins with Donaire's father.
A year later, his dad replaced Garcia at the helm, as the dynamic duo went their separate ways on good terms.
In the proceeding years, Donaire traded wins and losses with the divisional elite and added a featherweight world title to his glistening trophy room.
Garcia also enjoyed continued success, with the breakthrough of his brother Mikey keeping him on his toes.
His longevity at the peak of the sport has led to him becoming a two-time Ring Magazine 'Trainer of the Year' recipient 13 years apart.
He picked up the prestigious award for the first time in 2011 and then won it again last year.
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The continued rise of his star pupil 'Bam' Rodriguez, who grabbed the lineal super flyweight title by beating Juan Francisco Estrada in June, marked yet another fruitful year for Garcia.
But Rodriguez's triumph wasn't the only standout achievement coming out of The Robert Garcia Boxing Academy in 2024.
Jose Valenzuela became the latest Garcia protege to scoop a major world title when he snatched the WBA super lightweight title away from Isaac Cruz via split decision in August.
Meanwhile, Vergil Ortiz battled through serious adversity against Serhii Bohachuk to get his hands on the WBC 'interim' super welterweight strap as well.
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