By Gabriel F. Cordero
This Friday, August 28, we learned of the sad passing of beloved and respected Mexican boxing trainer Tiburcio García, who was instrumental in the development of numerous world champions and dedicated to Mexican and international boxing.
Tiburcio began his journey behind the ropes in 1985 alongside trainer Cristóbal Rosas, coaching fighters such as:
• Omar Flores, National Lightweight Champion
• Sulio Sánchez, National Welterweight Champion
• Rodolfo Batta, National Welterweight Champion
• Armando Velazco, ranked No. 4 by the WBC
Then, in 1989, he joined Hall of Fame trainer Ignacio “Nacho” Beristáin, working with fighters such as Gilberto Román, Daniel Zaragoza, Víctor Rabanales, Melchor Cob, José Luis Bueno, Ricardo “Finito” López, Humberto “Chiquita” González, and Jorge “Maromero” Páez. He was also involved in the early careers of the Márquez brothers and Guty Espadas.
In 1998, he arrived at the Otomí Ceremonial Center to join Erik “El Terrible” Morales’ team.
In 2001, he arrived at the Temoaya Municipal Gymnasium, where Jorge “Travieso” Arce, José Luis “Temible” Castillo, José Antonio “El Jaguar” Aguirre, Ricardo “Piolo” Castillo, César Bazán, Cristian “El Italiano” Esquivel, Julio Álvarez, and Ahmed Santos, among others, trained.
In 2008, he began training Marco Antonio “Veneno” Rubio and Carlos Cuadras, a former Pan American bantamweight champion.
Tiburcio García began his boxing career under the guidance of the legendary manager Arturo “Cuyo” Hernández. During his time as a boxer, he built a solid record with more than 100 amateur bouts and 30 professional fights, a period in which he discovered his true and greatest calling: teaching and coaching from the corner.
His first steps as a trainer were taken at the emblematic Nuevo Jordán Gym, where he served as an assistant and fostered the careers of dozens of young prospects.
Later, already established at the prestigious Romanza Gym, García became a key figure in the tactical and physical preparation of some of the greatest world champions in the history of Mexican boxing.
His talent, knowledge, intelligence, teaching ability, loyalty, and unwavering dedication transcended national borders, reaching the Far East.
In Japan, he assisted at the renowned Green Tsuda Gym, where he collaborated in the training of world champions Hiroki Ioka and Keiji Yamaguchi.
Throughout a life completely devoted to the gym, Tiburcio García not only left an indelible mark on high-performance boxing but also patiently and diligently shaped hundreds of amateur fighters, always guiding them along the path of sport and values.
Mauricio Sulaimán, the WBC, trainers, boxers, fans, and all of us who knew him join in prayer during this time of profound sorrow.
Tiburcio departs, leaving us a magnificent legacy and a path to follow on his journey down the road of no return. He was a man always willing to listen, reserved, and removed from complex situations both inside and outside the ring.
May this true master of the ring rest in peace
