Jose Luis Garcia.

There may have never been a more talent rich period in the heavyweight division then from 1968 to 1978. With Muhammad Ali (a.k.a. Cassius Clay) on the sidelines due to his draft case, other big men emerged. They would compete with each other on an almost equal basis for the next decade. Joe Frazier had risen to the top of the heap but the level below him would remain as mainstays in the ratings for years to come. Jimmy Ellis, Jerry Quarry, Oscar Bonavena, Floyd Patterson, George Chuvalo and Henry Cooper would eventually give way to Ron Lyle, Joe Bugner, Ken Norton, Earnie Shavers and Jimmy Young. All time great champions like George Foreman and Larry Holmes also made their mark and Ali re-emerged to reclaim his throne.

Lost among the giants of that time-period was a fine heavyweight from Venezuela named Jose Luis Garcia. Although Jose never challenged for the world championship he did meet three fighters who did. He also met three world champions in a career that never seemed to reach its full potential. Jose turned pro in his native country in 1968. He would go undefeated in his first nine bouts before losing a decision to future light-heavyweight champion Vincente Rondon. Three fights later Jose was halted by Allen Thomas in his first U.S. appearance. The lean Garcia was beginning to grow into a full-fledged heavyweight. On July 2, 1970, Garcia scored the biggest victory of his career. In Los Angeles as a heavy underdog, Jose met unbeaten and upcoming future champion Ken Norton. Garcia’s superior hand speed and deceptive power sent Norton crashing in round eight.

The huge upset of Norton landed Garcia smack in the middle of the heavyweight picture. Four months later Garcia halted used up ex-contender Thad Spencer. By now, Garcia was gaining substantial weight. He was, by today’s standards, a cruiserweight when he beat Norton. Now he was ballooning to over two-hundred plus pounds. In 1971, he moved up in the ratings with wins over veterans Charlie Polite, James J. Woody, John Griffin and Alberto Lovell. Jose opened 1973 with victories over Roby Harris, Florida Al Jones and Johnny Hudgins.

It all came crashing down on October 23rd, 1972 when ex-WBA champion Ernie Terrell came to Caracas. Ernie had been written off after late sixties losses to Thad Spencer and Manuel Ramos. Against Garcia though he looked the part of a rejuvenated former champion as he pounded Garcia into submission in the sixth round. In Jose’s comeback bout seven months later, Joe Alexander destroyed him in one round. Next came a crushing kayo loss to Ron Lyle. Jose put together four wins but then lost a decision to Jimmy Young. In his next bout, Joe Bugner stopped him in two. Finally, on August 14, 1975, Jose got a rematch with Ken Norton. At this time, Norton was the top heavyweight contender. They met in St. Paul, MN and this time Kenny took all Garcia could throw at him and eventually wore Jose down in the fifth round of a tough fight. Even in defeat Garcia proved he was still world class.

Jim Amato can be reached at jimsboxing@zoominternet.net