You would think that recording an eye-popping 100 victories in a pro boxing ring would qualify a fighter for easy and automatic admission to the International Boxing Hall Of Fame.
Ceferino Garcia, who claimed to be the inventor of the bolo punch and who won 102 bouts while notching 67 KOs, is back on the ball for enshrinement in upstate New York again.
This year's ballot leads off with three "no brainer" selections, Iron Mike Tyson, Julio Cesar Chavez and Kostya Tszyu.
Maybe there will be a Manny Pacquiao effect which can help pull Pinoy Garcia, only man from his country to ever hold a world middleweight title, along.
It would be nice see this Pinoy precede Pacman into the hall in Canastota.
Manny won't become eligible until he's been retired for five years.
Here's how Garcia is listed on the official ballot:
Ceferino Garcia
Career: 1923-1945
World Championships: New York State Athletic Commission World Middleweight (October 2, 1939-May 23, 1940)
Hailed from: Manila, Philippines
Record: 102-28-12 (67 KO) Boxrec record
Record against champions and Hall of Famers: 3-10-2 (2 KO)
Champions faced: Henry Armstrong, Fred Apostoli, Anton Christoforidis, Young Corbett III, Lloyd Marshall, Ken Overlin, Barney Ross, Billy Soose, Freddie Steele
Champions defeated: Apostoli (KO7)
The originator of the “bolo punch,” later made famous by Kid Gavilan, the hard-hitting Filipino faced a who’s who in the Welterweight and Middleweight divisions. He lost Welterweight title fights to Armstrong and Ross (the latter being part of the historic “Carnival of Champions” in 1937) before capturing the NYSAC Middleweight belt from Apostoli in October 1939. He defended the Middleweight title three times against Glen Lee (KO 13) and Armstrong (a draw in ten most thought Armstrong won) before losing it to the slick Overlin.
His most powerful weapon was a right cross that scored multiple knockdowns in many fights but was vulnerable to cuts and shifty boxers. His 102 wins are the most of any Filipino champion and his initial defense against Lee was the first championship fight ever staged in the Philippines.
Comments
It's about time Sir Ceferino Garcia gets the recognition he truly deserves... the bolo punch is such an icon punch in boxing used by famous fighters in the sport of boxing.
To the people who don't know: the BOLO is the Filipino machete, used as a tool by Filipino farmers; It is also the weapon of choice by Filipino revolutionaries that fought for freedom against Spain (revoulution against Spain), against America (Filipino-American War) and even against Japan (used by the Filipino "Bolo battalion", WW2). this is because most of the members of the revolution were farmers.
you know the Brits would have sold you a musket for 2 smoked heads.
Wow! Soon the POMPYANG PUNCH will be famous too!!! invented by FPJ and demonstrated by pac. I also want to see the whirling punch!
right cross huh?
Thanks for a bit of history Michael. Ceferino Garcia though admitted to have copied the bolo punch from another Filipino, Macario Flores. It was a move originated from the upward swing of a bolo or sometimes a scythe while cutting down a sugar cane. Originally, Filipino martial arts is based on knife fighting. Hence, early boxers would still have the mentality of knife fighters who would circle around waiting for an opening to strike as would be wielding a knife instead of a gloved hand.
He was almost forgotten... thanks for the effort of this fun-loving writer MMarley, now some of us barely or havent heard of his name, Ceferino Garcia. I really thought in the first place that he is a Mexican, but knowing hes a Filipino, I suddenly got this sense of pride and I really cant beleive in his 102 victories. Simply Amazing and truly Unbeleivable!...Ceferino Garcia should be inducted to the hall of Famer. Thanks MMarley.
GODSPEED PACTEAM!!!
The 102 wins in a pre-modern professional boxing settings then,his introduction of an accepted style now the "bolo" punch ,of course with a new description made.He should be in boxing history of greats.His name is actually not familiar to most of the boxing casuals maybe to some of the experts ,because if it is , he should be recognized by now.
Yeah im wondering why ive never heard of the guy...perhapes id better check the antique store!
why do it needs to be attached with Manny whenever his fellow Filipino sportsman will receive such kind of recognition. Its long overdue... tsk! tsk! tsk!
I noticed Calzage does a bolo punch. I wonder if this still legal.
thank you for the recognition sir.....
Garcia should be recognized! 102 wins never easy. Hope he gets in.
Most thought that Garcia beat Armstrong both time. There was minor riot after the first bout. Go to Youtube and watch both bouts.
Mayweather vs. Ceferino Garcia: 142 career fights vs. 0 defeat. Now, who's deserving to enter boxing's Hall of Fame?
give the man credit. it's about time he gets enshrined at canastota.
he copied this style from a japanese boxer who invented samurai punch..
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