Garcia Beats Watson in Tahoe to Win Spot on U.S. Boxing Team as Super Heavyweight

By DAVID WHARTON

April 13, 1986 12 AM PT

Alex Garcia of San Fernando earned a spot on the American team that will compete in the World Amateur Boxing Championships next month by stopping Army’s Wesley Watson at 2:41 in the second round Saturday at Lake Tahoe.

Fighting in the super heavyweight division of the USA Amateur Boxing Federation’s Box-Off Tournament, Garcia needed to win one of two bouts against Watson to make the team. Watson earned an easy decision Friday night but Garcia came back to win Saturday.

The referee stopped the bout because Watson had received too many blows to the head. Until that moment, Garcia had been behind. But he then unleashed a straight left, followed by two rights, that floored Watson.

Garcia qualified for the box-off by winning the U.S. amateur boxing championship against Watson last week in Beaumont, Tex. Garcia, now 14-1 with eight knockouts, will fight May 8-18 with the American team at the world championships in Reno.

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Sports Boxing & MMA

David Wharton

David Wharton has filled an array of roles – covering the courts, entertainment, sports and the second Persian Gulf War – since starting as a Los Angeles Times intern in 1982. His work has been honored by organizations such as the Society for Features Journalism and Associated Press Sports Editors and has been anthologized in “Best American Sports Writing.” He has also been nominated for an Emmy and has written two books, including “Conquest,” an inside look at USC football during the Pete Carroll era.

Garcia Beats Watson in Tahoe to Win Spot on U.S. Boxing Team as Super Heavyweight

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