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Ceferino Garcia
Middleweight

Ceferino Garcia

Naval, Biliran, Philippines

121Wins 30Losses 14Draws 77KOs

Career: 1933 – 1945

Biography

Ceferino Montano Garcia (August 26, 1906 – January 1, 1981) was a Filipino professional boxer and the only fighter from the Philippines to capture a world middleweight championship. Born in Naval, Biliran, Garcia rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most prolific boxers of his era, amassing 120 wins in 164 bouts, with 76 by knockout—the most victories ever recorded by a Filipino boxer. Nicknamed “Bolo Punch Pedro,” he is credited as the first notable practitioner of the bolo punch, later popularized by Kid Gavilán. Garcia won the NYSAC middleweight title in 1939 by defeating Fred Apostoli and defended it three times before losing to Ken Overlin. Inducted into the Ring Magazine Hall of Fame (1977) and the World Boxing Hall of Fame (1989), Garcia’s legacy endures as a trailblazer who brought Filipino boxing to the world stage.

World Titles

  • NYSAC NYSAC World Middleweight Won Oct 2, 1939 · Lost May 23, 1940 (UD Loss) · UD Ken Overlin

Regional & Other Belts

  • CSAC CSAC California Welterweight Won Sep 24, 1934 · Lost Jan 13, 1936
  • CSAC CSAC California Welterweight Won Feb 10, 1933 · Lost Apr 10, 1934

Fight Record

165 bouts
DateOpponentResultMethodRoundVenue
Jan 15, 1945 Bill McDowell D UD 10 City Auditorium, Houston
Oct 16, 1944 George Baratko D KO 3/10 City Auditorium, Houston
Oct 6, 1944 Kid Azteca D UD 10 Arena Coliseo, Mexico City
Sep 25, 1944 Willis Johnson D TKO 10/10 Ocean Park Arena, Santa Monica
Feb 24, 1942 California Jackie Wilson D UD 10 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles
Dec 1, 1941 Anton Christoforidis D UD 10 Arena, Cleveland
Sep 15, 1941 Billy Soose D TD 8/12 Gilmore Field, Los Angeles
Aug 19, 1941 Bobby Pacho D KO 3/10 Ryan's Auditorium, Fresno
Jul 11, 1941 Jimmy Casino D TKO 8/10 Legion Stadium, Hollywood
Sep 12, 1940 Steve Belloise D UD 10 Madison Square Garden, New York
May 23, 1940 Ken Overlin D UD 15 Madison Square Garden, New York
Apr 24, 1940 Allen Matthews D TKO 4/10 Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City
Mar 1, 1940 Henry Armstrong D UD 10 Gilmore Stadium, Los Angeles
Dec 23, 1939 Glen Lee D TKO 13/15 Rizal Memorial Track and Football Stadium, Manila
Oct 2, 1939 Fred Apostoli D KO 7/15 Madison Square Garden, New York
Aug 8, 1939 Bobby Pacho D KO 5/10 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles
Jul 4, 1939 Bobby Pacho D UD 10 Memorial Civic Auditorium, Stockton
Jun 15, 1939 Walter Woods D KO 4/10 Madison Square Garden, New York
Apr 21, 1939 Al Romero D TKO 10/10 Legion Stadium, Hollywood
Mar 28, 1939 Chief Parris D KO 3/10 Memorial Civic Auditorium, Stockton
Mar 17, 1939 Lloyd Marshall D TKO 5/10 Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco
Feb 22, 1939 Lloyd Marshall D UD 10 Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco
Feb 7, 1939 Al Trulmans D KO 2/10 San Jose Civic Auditorium, San Jose
Jan 27, 1939 Dick Foster D TKO 8/10 Legion Stadium, Hollywood
Nov 25, 1938 Henry Armstrong D UD 15 Madison Square Garden, New York
Jul 25, 1938 Jackie Burke D TKO 2/15 Ogden Stadium, Ogden
Jul 4, 1938 Jackie Burke D KO 4/10 Memorial Civic Auditorium, Stockton
Jun 17, 1938 Frankie Blair D TKO 3/10 Gilmore Stadium, Los Angeles
May 6, 1938 Glen Lee D UD 10 Gilmore Stadium, Los Angeles
Mar 25, 1938 Tony Roccaforte D KO 1/10 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu
Mar 19, 1938 Otto Blackwell D KO 9/10 Somewhere in, Lihue
Mar 12, 1938 Otto Blackwell D KO 7/10 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu
Feb 18, 1938 Manuel Victoria D KO 4/10 Coliseum, San Diego
Jan 28, 1938 Mickey Serrian D KO 2/10 Legion Stadium, Hollywood
Jan 1, 1938 Otto Blackwell D KO 2/10 Pismo Beach Arena, Pismo Beach
Sep 23, 1937 Barney Ross D UD 15 Polo Grounds, New York
Jul 22, 1937 Bobby Pacho D TKO 9/10 Madison Square Garden, New York
Jun 11, 1937 Phil Furr D UD 10 Legion Stadium, Hollywood
May 21, 1937 George Salvadore D UD 10 Legion Stadium, Hollywood
May 7, 1937 Phil McQuillan D KO 2/10 Watsonville Civic Auditorium, Watsonville
Mar 23, 1937 Aaron Wade D TKO 1/10 San Jose Civic Auditorium, San Jose
Feb 23, 1937 Glen Lee D UD 10 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles
Feb 5, 1937 Chief Parris D KO 4/10 Legion Stadium, Hollywood
Jan 12, 1937 Otto Blackwell D KO 1/10 Memorial Civic Auditorium, Stockton
Dec 18, 1936 Ray Acosta D KO 1/10 Pismo Beach Arena, Pismo Beach
Oct 30, 1936 Izzy Jannazzo D UD 15 Madison Square Garden, New York
Sep 11, 1936 Cleto Locatelli D UD 10 Madison Square Garden, New York
Aug 11, 1936 Leon Zorrita D KO 5/10 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles
Jul 17, 1936 Kid Azteca D KO 5/10 Legion Stadium, Hollywood
Jun 9, 1936 Young Peter Jackson D UD 10 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles
May 8, 1936 Jackie Burke D TKO 8/10 Legion Stadium, Hollywood
Mar 27, 1936 Lou Halper D TKO 6/10 Legion Stadium, Hollywood
Mar 2, 1936 Jackie Burke D UD 10 Orpheum Theatre, Ogden
Feb 7, 1936 Gordon Wallace D UD 10 Legion Stadium, Hollywood
Jan 13, 1936 Al Manfredo D UD 10 Auditorium, Oakland
Nov 29, 1935 Barney Ross D UD 10 Chicago Stadium, Chicago
Nov 20, 1935 Gordon Wallace D MD 12 Arena, Vancouver
Nov 12, 1935 Otto Blackwell D UD 10 Ice Coliseum, Portland
Oct 23, 1935 Gordon Wallace D UD 10 Arena, Vancouver
Oct 18, 1935 Joe Bernal D UD 10 Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco
Sep 13, 1935 Barney Ross D UD 10 Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco
Aug 16, 1935 Sammy Brown D KO 3/10 Frank Chance Field, Fresno
Jul 19, 1935 Baby Joe Gans D KO 3/10 Pismo Beach Arena, Pismo Beach
Jul 4, 1935 Sammy O'Dell D KO 5/10 Somewhere in, Stockton
Jun 21, 1935 Al Romero D UD 10 Legion Stadium, Hollywood
May 31, 1935 Meyer Grace D KO 1/10 Somewhere in, Watsonville
May 17, 1935 Al Manfredo D UD 10 Legion Stadium, Hollywood
Apr 26, 1935 Guy McKinney D KO 1/10 Pismo Beach Arena, Pismo Beach
Apr 18, 1935 Al Manfredo D UD 10 L Street Arena, Sacramento
Mar 26, 1935 Baby Joe Gans D KO 1/10 Memorial Civic Auditorium, Stockton
Dec 7, 1934 Bep van Klaveren D UD 10 Legion Stadium, Hollywood
Nov 16, 1934 Manuel Victoria D KO 3/10 Watsonville Civic Auditorium, Watsonville
Oct 30, 1934 Bep van Klaveren D UD 10 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles
Sep 28, 1934 Erwin Bige D KO 2/10 Watsonville Civic Auditorium, Watsonville
Sep 24, 1934 Flash Butler D KO 2/10 Bakersfield Arena, Bakersfield
Sep 11, 1934 Tony Roccaforte D KO 2/10 Ryan's Auditorium, Fresno
Sep 1, 1934 Joe Glick D KO 2/10 Pismo Beach Arena, Pismo Beach
Aug 9, 1934 Jimmy Evans D UD 10 Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento
Jul 27, 1934 Mike Payan D TKO 1/10 Legion Stadium, Hollywood
Jul 3, 1934 Andy DiVodi D KO 1/10 Memorial Civic Auditorium, Stockton
Jun 14, 1934 Tommy Herman D KO 3/10 Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento
Jun 1, 1934 Billy Boggs D TKO 5/10 Legion Stadium, Hollywood
May 18, 1934 Johnny Martinez D TKO 3/10 Watsonville Civic Auditorium, Watsonville
May 4, 1934 Tommy Martinez D KO 4/10 Madison Square Garden, New York
Apr 20, 1934 Baby Sal Sorio D KO 4/10 Watsonville Civic Auditorium, Watsonville
Apr 10, 1934 Young Peter Jackson D KO 3/10 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles
Mar 23, 1934 Tommy Herman D KO 2/10 Pismo Beach Arena, Pismo Beach
Mar 6, 1934 Eddie Cerda D TKO 6/10 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles
Feb 9, 1934 Paulie Walker D UD 10 Legion Stadium, Hollywood
Jan 16, 1934 Bobby Pacho D KO 3/10 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles
Dec 22, 1933 Mike Payan D UD 10 Coliseum, San Diego
Dec 12, 1933 Baby Joe Gans D UD 10 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles
Nov 25, 1933 Vincent Martinez D UD 6 Main Street Athletic Club, Los Angeles
Oct 27, 1933 Andy Callahan D UD 10 Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco
Oct 13, 1933 King Tut D KO 7/10 Legion Stadium, Hollywood
Sep 22, 1933 Meyer Grace D KO 10/10 Legion Stadium, Hollywood
Aug 25, 1933 Eddie Frisco D TKO 7/10 Legion Stadium, Hollywood
Jul 25, 1933 Kid Azteca D TKO 8/10 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles
Jul 18, 1933 Lloyd Smith D KO 4/10 Memorial Civic Auditorium, Stockton
Jul 11, 1933 Kid Azteca D UD 10 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles
Jul 3, 1933 Johnny Martinez D TKO 5/10 Memorial Civic Auditorium, Stockton
May 29, 1933 Eddie Ran D DQ 3/10 Wrigley Field, Los Angeles
May 9, 1933 Leonard Bennett D UD 6 Civic Ice Arena, Seattle
Apr 28, 1933 Howard Fritz D TKO 8/10 Coliseum, San Diego
Apr 19, 1933 Tommy Huffman D UD 10 Wilmington Bowl, Wilmington
Apr 12, 1933 Jesus Macias D KO 1/10 Wilmington Bowl, Wilmington
Mar 24, 1933 Mike Payan D UD 10 Coliseum, San Diego
Mar 10, 1933 Johnny 'Bandit' Romero D UD 10 Coliseum, San Diego
Mar 3, 1933 Frankie Diaz D KO 2/10 Coliseum, San Diego
Feb 10, 1933 Johnny 'Bandit' Romero D KO 8/10 Coliseum, San Diego
Jan 27, 1933 Charlie Cobb D TKO 5/10 Coliseum, San Diego
Jan 20, 1933 Tommy King D UD 10 Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco
Jan 6, 1933 Sammy Aguirre D KO 2/10 Imperial Valley A.C., El Centro
Nov 22, 1932 Andy DiVodi D KO 4/10 Ryan's Auditorium, Fresno
Oct 25, 1932 Young Corbett III D UD 10 Civic Auditorium, Fresno
Sep 20, 1932 Freddie Steele D KO 2/4 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles
Sep 2, 1932 Tommy King D UD 10 Legion Stadium, Hollywood
Jul 13, 1932 Jimmy Britt D MD 6 Civic Ice Arena, Seattle
Jun 22, 1932 Oakland Jimmy Duffy D TKO 7/10 Auditorium, Oakland
May 24, 1932 Joey Goodman D UD 10 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles
May 18, 1932 Freddie Steele D KO 2/6 Civic Ice Arena, Seattle
May 6, 1932 David Velasco D UD 10 Pismo Beach Arena, Pismo Beach
Apr 12, 1932 Young Corbett III D UD 10 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles
Apr 1, 1932 Joe Saldivar D KO 1/10 Pismo Beach Arena, Pismo Beach
Mar 11, 1932 Tommy Herman D TKO 10/10 Somewhere in, Stockton
Feb 19, 1932 Vearl Whitehead D TKO 7/10 Legion Stadium, Hollywood
Jan 26, 1932 David Velasco D UD 10 Olympic Stadium, Manila
Jan 19, 1932 Alfredo Gaona D TKO 4/10 Olympic Stadium, Manila
Nov 14, 1931 Tony Gora D UD 10 Olympic Stadium, Manila
Jul 18, 1931 Ignacio Fernandez D UD 12 Olympic Stadium, Manila
May 16, 1931 Ignacio Fernandez D DQ 9/12 Olympic Stadium, Manila
Apr 18, 1931 Frank Malinao D UD 12 Olympic Stadium, Manila
Mar 7, 1931 Joe Hall D UD 12 Olympic Stadium, Manila
Dec 22, 1928 Jimmy Hill D UD 12 Olympic Stadium, Manila
Nov 26, 1928 Joe Sacramento D KO 4 Somewhere in, Manila
Oct 3, 1928 Irineo Flores D UD 10 Fort Stotsenburg, Angeles, Pampanga
Aug 4, 1928 Joe Hall D DQ 6/12 Olympic Stadium, Manila
Apr 28, 1928 Kid Moro D UD 12 Somewhere in, Manila
Feb 18, 1928 Luis Logan D UD 12 Olympic Stadium, Manila
Dec 10, 1927 Young Harry Wills D UD 12 Olympic Stadium, Manila
Nov 26, 1927 Joe Sacramento D KO 4 Olympic Stadium, Manila
Jul 9, 1927 Irineo Flores D UD 12 Olympic Stadium, Manila
Jun 18, 1927 Pedro Campo D UD 12 Olympic Stadium, Manila
May 7, 1927 Pedro Campo D UD 12 Olympic Stadium, Manila
Feb 26, 1927 Ignacio Fernandez D UD 12 Somewhere in, Manila
Dec 18, 1926 Harry Stone D UD 10 Somewhere in, Malabon City
Nov 6, 1926 Kid Moro D UD 12 Somewhere in, Manila
Sep 18, 1926 Irineo Flores D UD 12 Olympic Stadium, Bacolod City
Sep 4, 1926 Harry Stone D UD 12 Somewhere in, Manila
Jul 3, 1926 Irineo Flores D UD 12 Olympic Stadium, Manila
May 29, 1926 Irineo Flores D UD 12 Olympic Stadium, Manila
Mar 6, 1926 Fighting Nelson D UD 12 Olympic Stadium, Manila
Feb 6, 1926 Fighting Nelson D DQ 3 Somewhere in, Manila
Jan 16, 1926 Irineo Boison D UD 12 Olympic Stadium, Manila
Jan 2, 1926 Max Jim D KO 1 Olympic Stadium, Manila
Dec 19, 1925 Jimmy Hall D KO 4 Somewhere in, Manila
Nov 14, 1925 Young Harry Wills D UD 6 Olympic Stadium, Manila
Oct 31, 1925 Pedro Syap D TKO 1 Olympic Stadium, Manila
Oct 17, 1925 Terrible Dagua D TKO 4 Olympic Stadium, Manila
Oct 3, 1925 Harry Tunney D UD 6 Olympic Stadium, Manila
Jun 28, 1924 Antonio Garcia D TKO 4 Somewhere in, Manila
Jun 14, 1924 Cornelio Coronel D KO 3 Somewhere in, Manila
Sep 22, 1923 G Vargas D UD 4 Somewhere in, Manila
May 12, 1923 M Flores D UD 4 Olympic Stadium, Manila
May 5, 1923 Pedro del Mundo D UD 6 Olympic Stadium, Manila

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