Boxing Postman Ernesto Garza III RCM Interview: Thank You ShoBox!
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
*Photo Credit: RoundbyRoundBoxing.com
Boxing postman and super bantamweight southpaw Ernesto Garza III, who delivers mail by day, and knocks them out by night, is back in the ring and back in the news. The David McWaters and Eddie Jaafar co-managed Mexican American pride of Michigan is back.
On the February 16, 2019, USA Showtime ShoBox telecast, the commentators noted Jesse Angel Hernandez’ 10 round bout last year with Ernesto Garza in Verona, New York, had resulted in a No Contest, as Hernandez tested positive for marijuana. Garza knocked down Hernandez in the second round, but was originally on the short end of a split decision. The online BoxRec internet records needs to be corrected as a result.
Garza, 9-3 with five knockouts, Saginaw, Michigan, who delivers rural mail part-time for the United States Postal Service, inactive over a year since the Hernandez bout, sounded upbeat as he prepared for his comeback bout, a scheduled six round main event bout against 9-5 Hungarian journeyman Jeno Tonte, on February 23, 2019, at the Performing Arts Center in Dearborn, Michigan.
Robert B: “Did you see the ShoBox telecast last night?”
Ernesto Garza: “Unfortunately not the entire telecast, just the clip at the beginning when Hernandez walked out for his bout with Thomas Patrick Ward, and the commentators mentioned my no contest bout with Hernandez, due to Hernandez testing positive for marijuana.”
Robert B: “How did you feel when they acknowledged the no contest?”
Ernesto Garza: “I feel great because it’s not a loss on my record. I was happy about that.”
Robert B: “Did you feel you got robbed of the split decision against Hernandez in Verona?”
Ernesto Garza: “Of course! I felt the decision should have been mine off the bat. I felt I won that fight, and totally dominated Hernandez through all the rounds.”
Robert B: “Why were you inactive for one year? Why haven’t you fought?”
Ernesto Garza: “Due to my left hand. Michigan doctors told me my hand was broken on ShoBox and needed surgery. Basically I waited a year, and my hand healed on its own. I was running, keeping myself in condition. Just couldn’t hit anything.”
Robert B: “When could you hit the speed bag and heavy bag again?”
Ernesto Garza: “January. I have had a month of sparring, hitting the speed bag and heavy bag, and the pads.”
Robert B: “How do your hands feel now?”
Ernesto Garza: “Good. They’re great! My hand is healed, my career is back on track.”
Robert B: “What do you know about your next opponent, Hungarian Jeno Tonte?”
Ernesto Garza: “He’s moving up in weight from flyweight. He has got fast hands. I have seen his videos on YouTube. He throws mostly winging uppercuts and wild shots while running.”
Robert B: “So, how will you fight him?”
Ernesto Garza: “Box, put pressure on him, and hopefully stop him with body shots. I should stop him in the first round. From the two YouTube videos I have seen where Tonte got stopped, he was running and throwing a lot of wild punches, not really boxing. I can break him down early, especially with my power.”
Robert B: “Would you fight a rematch with Hernandez again?”
Ernesto Garza: “I wouldn’t mind giving Hernandez another beating.”
Robert B: “Do you think Hernandez’ marijuana will help him the second time?”
Ernesto Garza: “No! Quite honestly, I don’t think his marijuana helped him the first time either. If he wants to fight me again, I will knock him out within six rounds. I am willing to fight Jesse Angel Hernandez again, anywhere, anyplace, anytime. When I fought Hernandez, is right was horribly swollen shut, purple, black and blue. The next time I’ll make sure his left eye is swollen shut too.”
Robert B: “Will you stay at super bantamweight after your comeback bout next week?”
Ernesto Garza: “No. I have a serious long-range game plan. After this bout, I plan to go down to a more effective 116 pounds. While not taller, I believe I will be a lot stronger than most of the fighters at that weight, and well on my way to becoming a world champion in the lower weight class, as opposed to the higher weight division I am fighting in now.”
English