By Michael Marley
World class trainer and former IBF junior lightweight champion Robert Garcia said Thursday that the firing of his brother, Danny, as trainer of Vicious Victor Ortiz, has no bearing on family relations.
When Ortiz decided to leave Robert's camp, brother Danny became his trainer and a family feud ensued in which Robert and Danny did not speak to each other.
But Robert said the division was healed before Ortiz even fought and got stopped by Joselito Lopez.
"My Dad (Eduardo) sat me and Danny down sometime ago," Robert said. "So there's problem there. I don't see a lot of family members because I'm in the gym for long hours six days a week and I travel so much."
Derspite old bitterness, Robert said it must be admitted that his sibling did good work in bringing Ortiz to a title winning victory over Andre Berto and into a big money bout against superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr.
"Danny did a good job for Victor. We know the negatives things about Victor but Danny led him to a world title and to Mayweather so those are big accomplishments for any trainer. As far as getting fired, it can and has happened to me, it happens to Freddie Roach, it can happen to any trainer, it's part of the business," Robert said.
I tried to get Robert to say he would consider training VVO again under the "never say never" banner but Robert did not bite.
"Victor brings good fights, he brings excitment to the ring. He is bringing excitment to the fans and there are things any trainer can work on with him. Something like that, though...well, I know he's looking at some good (trainer) names...his team would have to talk about that, really."
Garcia, for the time being, has his hands full with stars such as Nonito Donaire Jr., Kelly Pavlik and others. His packed gym is based in hometown Oxnard, California.