Frank Garza, jr: NABF Star of the Month!

Ok– I’ll let you in on Frank’s secret — he’s one of the most generous men around. Whether it’s the ten count for a fallen friend or visiting an aging icon at his residence, he’s Mr. Kind Ref!. We are very proud to have someone with his character and integrity in our NABF Family. And yes… he plays a cool guitar! I Know you’ll enjoy his answers — he’s also a straight shooter!

Jill: Tell me what led to your involvement with boxing? 

Frank  I’ve always been a big fan of boxing.  How or when it started I have no recollection.  I just enjoyed watching the fights and reading about them in Ring Magazine and other publications.  I was a member and trained at the Southgate Boxing Club under Nick Torres and also helped him with the club.  At a show I disputed a judgement call which led to a challenge to become a boxing official.  Nick introduced me to Bobby Watson, the #1 referee in Michigan at the time. He mentored me and I became a boxing official.  It has been and continues to be a rewarding career.

 Jill:You are very active in the community.  What propels you?

 Frank:  There are several things, Jill.  I was raised that way both from my parents and from my school.  In the community I was raised in, we learned very early that life didn’t take place on an even playing field.  Not everybody got the same piece of pie.  I learned that there were things in life that you couldn’t put a price tag on. Things such as friendship, loyalty, kindness and respect to name a few and that sharing and helping were the best ways towards obtaining this assets.  I believe that to have a community, to live in a community you have to be part of the community.

 jill: Whats the best and worse part of refereeing?

 Frank:  For me the best part of refereeing is the responsibility.  Knowing that the WBC, the local Commission, the promoter, the boxers, their corners, their families and the fans trust you in what you are doing is the best part.  It also goes back to what I said earlier about life not taking place on an even playing field, knowing where I came from and how I got here still gives me goose bumps each time I enter the ring.  To me it was never, “I want to do this”, it was always “I can do this”.  It was never, “if I can only get the chance” it was always, “earn the chance” and when the time comes be ready.  Each time I enter the ring I look back and I remember this and I say a little prayer and thank God for all his blessings.

  The worse part of refereeing is seeing an opponent that has no business being in the ring, someone who lacks all boxing skills, is not physically in shape and whose sole purpose that evening is to be rendered unconscious at the fists of one of the promoter’s ticket sellers.  Commissions need to be more diligent in preventing this, it’s not a good thing and the fans don’t appreciate it either. 

 Jill: Any stories to share?

 Frank:  Gosh, where do I start?  Here’s one about not letting you’re head get too big.  I was on an out of town assignment and decided to visit a local boxing gym where I heard some heated sparring sessions took place.  As I entered the gym this very elderly gentleman pointed at me and exclaimed “Oh my God, look who’s here!”  He grabbed me by the arm and hollered for everyone to stop because he wanted to introduce one of boxing’s greatest referees.  He raised my arm and hollered, “Carlos Padilla, Carlos Padilla!”  I was very grateful, humbled and even signed autographs before leaving.

  On a serious note there are several incidences where boxers have sought me out long after a bout of theirs that I refereed to privately thank me for stopping it when I did.  Those stories are very dear to me .   

 Jill: Any awards honors or citations?

 Frank:  There are several.  In 2000 during Hispanic Heritage Month Michigan Governor John Engler presented me with a Special Recognition Award as a member of the Michigan Athletic Board of Control for work done on rewriting and updating the State’s rules of conducting professional boxing.  In 2003 I was inducted into the Lincoln Park Sports Hall of Fame.  That was followed with an induction into the St. Johns Alumni Hall of Fame for Sports Achievements in 2004.  In 2008 I received a Latino Detroit Community and Customer Appreciation Award for Outstanding Sports Writer and in 2009 I received the Detroit Hispanic Business Alliance Special Appreciation Award for the promoting and support of boxing in the Detroit community and of course this interview.

 Jill:What is your life outside of the ring?

 Frank:  Right now I’m going through an adjustment period.  I just retired from Buckeye Pipeline Company after 37 years of service so my routine is a little different at the moment. 

 Jill:Who inspired you?

 Frank:  No one in particular.  Seems as though I was born with a natural desire to find things out, to try things and experience life.

 Jill:Why do you go to the conventions?

 Frank:  For the camaraderie.  Lets face it, during a boxing event we’re there to work, we have responsibilities so our behavior needs to be reserved.  At a convention we can let loose among our peers. 

  To support our organization the WBC.  Our president and the entire WBC Board of Governors have been leaders in the sport of boxing and we should be there to support them.

  For education and training.  The officials seminars, the opportunity to learn from other officials is invaluable to our professions. 

 Jill: What is there left to do?

 Frank:  There are always new friends to make, new places to see, new people to help. 

 Jill:Advice for those starting out?

 Frank:    Be patient, don’t be jealous, get some common sense, lose the chip on your shoulder and learn the rules.  That should get you started.

 Jill:How would you like to be remembered?

 Frank:  Wow, this sounds like my obit!  I’d like to be remembered as an official who was honest, treated each fight whether it was a four round preliminary fight or a world championship fight with the same respect and dignity.  Never interfered or influenced himself as a factor of the decision.  Most of all never got anyone hurt.