Frank “Notorious” Galarza was born and raised in the Red Hook neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. His magnetic personality and positive attitude has helped him stand out from the pack.
He is a natural born leader and motivator, all despite losing both of his parents by the age of nine. He was raised by his father’s sister and her husband, Wilma and Benjamin Collazo. His father, Frank Galarza Sr, was also a professional boxer and is the inspiration and motivation to Frank Jr.
Galarza self-admittedly was a troubled child growing up. He had a love for boxing, however was not dedicated as a young adult, and was constantly steered to the streets. It took a tragedy, the death of his brother, for him to realize the lifestyle he was living wasn’t for him, and he wanted more for himself and his family. Frank Galarza turned to boxing.
Having just 11 amateur fights under his belt, Galarza unexpectedly won the 2010 New York Golden Gloves. Turning pro a few months after, Galarza has taken his underdog attitude from the amateurs, and has compiled an undefeated professional record of 15(9 knockouts)-0-2 (as of January 1, 2015). Through the four years of his career thus far, Frank Galarza has come old the hard and old fashioned way, climbing up the ranks, grinding through local club fights, and earning the reputation of being an exciting all action-boxer and a fan favorite within the New York City boxing community. Though at times early in his career, fighting in front of just a few hundred people, many have taken notice to Galarza. In 2013, in an exclusive interview, he was dubbed “Brooklyn’s Rocky” by famed New York sportscaster Bruce Beck. He has also appeared on the YES Network’s Boxing 30 program and featured in Muscle & Fitness magazine.
He enjoyed a breakout year in 2014, starting in January when he participated in his first televised bout of his career, and viciously knocked out a then undefeated and heavy favorite John Thompson, just 17 seconds into the second round, to win the WBC Latino Junior Middleweight Title. The knockout has become a Youtube favorite amongst boxing enthusiasts. He continued the year with three more bouts, winning all three, including another televised bout in May. Galarza’s 2014 ended by winning the “Contender of The Year” award by the prestigious Ring 8 organization, a Veteran Boxer’s Association based in New York. He is currently world ranked by the WBC in the Junior Middleweight division (154 pounds).
Galarza is just as active outside the ring as he is in it. He has participated in numerous fundraisers for organizations such as the American Cancer Society, and has done guest motivational speaking at various schools and for the Puerto Rican Family Institute. Philanthropy has always been a huge part of Frank Galarza’s life. A goal of his was met in 2014, when his nonprofit organization he created, Youth Fighting Forward, was officially incorporated. Before his organization became a reality, he traveled to Brazil in 2013 to learn from a similar organization, LUTA and Fight for Peace. He has taken a lot of the principals and has incorporated them into his foundation. Galarza’s main goal is to help children avoid the struggles and pitfalls he fell into as a child, by combining boxing, youth support services, and education. Youth Fighting Forward currently has two boxing gym bases, Starrett City Boxing Club in Brooklyn, and Champs Boxing Club & Fitness in Danbury, CT. For more information or to find out how to support Youth Fighting Forward, email the organization at [email protected] For up to date news and information, visit www.frankgalarza.com. For appearances, guests speaking, or sponsorship opportunities, contact manager A.J. Galante at [email protected]
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