KING OF THE RING WITH RYAN GARCIA

This month's cover is WBC Interim Lightweight, Ryan Garcia who has held the WBC interim lightweight title. WIth a record of 21-0 and 18 KOs, he is known as having one of the fastest hands in the sport. In addition to making waves in the sport, he shares how he has navigated boxing from training, meeting fans, being signed to Oscar de la Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions, his appearance on Celebrity Family Feud and taking them with him to his fights via his social media. His passion and love for the sport also allows him to diversify his brand between his sponsorships with Gatorade, 1800 Cristalino and Gymshark to name a few. We talk about how he got into the sport, his career and being the Co-Owner and Chief MARLOWE. officer.

ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you start boxing and fall in love with the sport?

RYAN GARCIA: I started boxing at seven years old. I fell in love with it because I was shy as a kid. Boxing gave me confidence inside and outside of the ring.

AM: When did you realize that you wanted to go pro?

RG: I got to the point my life where I had to decide either go for it all or give up on my dreams and I decided to pursue my dreams. It was right around when I turn 17.

AM: You fight in the interim lightweight class, are 21-0 with 18 being by knock out, you’ve held the WBC interim lightweight championship title and are signed with Golden Boy Promotions. What are you looking forward to for upcoming fights?

RG: I’m looking forward to the big fights against top competitors. I’m looking forward to showcasing that I am the best fighter in the world of my division.

AM: You’re trained by Eddy Reynoso. What is a typical day like for you in terms of training and staying ready for your next match – can you walk us through what training with him is like and what you do?

RG: We stay in shape by going on morning runs, eating healthy, sparring, strength and conditioning, and reviewing fight tapes.

AM: Is there a difference between your working out/training when there isn’t a fight coming up versus when you’re in preparation for an upcoming one?

RG: Big-time when I’m not training for fight my workouts are much lighter and I like to do things that are fun for me like playing video games or playing poker. When I’m getting ready for a fight it’s completely different. It’s like a switch is turned on and I’m completely focused and locked in. I don’t know anything else that’s going on it’s just tunnel vision and I’m super hyper focused on that fight.

AM: For those who want to workout like a boxer, what workouts do you do that we should incorporate into our daily/weekly routines?

RG: I think that the cardio element in boxing is super important for people; things like hitting the Mitts or hitting the Fierce reflex bag would be great for non-boxers to do to get in shape because it will really tone up your arms and help your cardio.

AM: Nutrition is essential to optimize what you do in the ring. What do you eat when you’re in training mode and what foods do you like to splurge on to treat yourself?

RG: In the past I did not optimize my nutrition but now I really understand the importance of eating right. I work with my chef to make sure that I’m eating the right foods especially during training things; like lean proteins fish chicken etc., rice, and vegetables are typically staples. Ultimately it’s about finding what works for your body and sometimes that means not eating. I found that when I skip breakfast in the mornings I tend to work out better.

I would say my one guilty pleasure is McDonald’s. Two cheeseburgers with a large fries and a large soda.

AM: After a fight, what do you to unwind?

RG: I’ll have a couple shots to celebrate with 1800 Cristalino tequila and then right after look to take my family on a nice little vacation where we can all relax and unwind.

AM: Who are 3 people that have been mentors to you in the sport?

RG: Manny Pacquiao and Canelo have been mentors that I look up to within the sport. There are also boxers who I like to watch like Roy Jones Junior, Floyd Mayweather, Joe Louis and Sugar Ray Robinson.

AM: You have a large and engaged digital footprint, how important is using social media in terms of reaching out to your fans and letting people know about you inside and outside of the ring?

RG: I think it’s very important. Social media allows me to connect more intimately with my fans. Because of Covid, I haven’t been able to see a lot of my fans in person or do meet and greets so this really helps us to keep connected and engaged with one another. I love my fans. I want to stay connected with them and keep them updated and this is the best way to do it.

AM: You are the co-owner of MARLOWE. Can you tell us about the brand and what your role of Chief MARLOWE. Officer entails?

RG: MARLOWE. provides men with high quality, easy-to-use, perfectly formulated skin care and grooming products without all the fuss and high price tags. We believe that life is complicated enough, looking good and feeling amazing shouldn’t have to be. As the Chief MARLOWE. Officer, I am excited to be the face of the brand and to help spearhead the digital marketing content strategy along with my content partners Liquid Light. I have been very involved in the entire process from the second I came onto the brand. Everything you see on the packaging for my signature SKU's is all me -- from the exact gold color we used, the thickness of the carton and the overall design. I have so many creative ideas - this partnership was beyond a great fit.

AM: How important is your skincare routine to you?

RG: I have always had an up and down relationship with my skin. During training, I get right into it at the gym with hours of sweating - it can take a toll on my skin causing some breakouts. Also, during training I am constantly taking multiple showers a day, burning through so much product.

When I first discovered MARLOWE., I was so impressed by the effectiveness of each product and the affordability. I wanted to make sure the product was affordable to my fans and following so they could enjoy the products just as much as I do.

AM: Why did you want to be involved with this brand and what can we expect to see from you and the brand as we go into the holiday season and into 2022?

RG: The quality of MARLOWE. products is what attracted me to the brand right away. The No. 102 Body Scrub Soap Bar was by far the greatest soap I’ve ever used and it's a true experience. I found that to be true with almost all of their products. The No. 102 bar is the only soap tough enough to get me clean after a hard training session! I liked them so much I knew I had to be a part of the brand in a bigger way as co-owner & now Chief MARLOWE. Officer. We have a lot in store coming down the pipeline - stay tuned for some greatness. As for Holiday, we have some cool virtual bundles launching on marloweskin.com in December including all my faves in one exclusive bundle! This is perfect for those who want to give a gift with 1 click - perfect for any guy on your list.

AM: What are your 3 go-to products that you enjoy using from MARLOWE. that we should think about using?

RG: By far, my favorite product is the No. 102 Body Scrub Bar. It is a true experience and has become my solution for getting clean after training and working out super hard. I also love using the No. 171 Classic Pomade for my hair and the No. 002 Extra Moisturizing Body Lotion for my dry skin. I am taking so many showers after working out multiple times a day while I train and it can take a toll on my skin. The 002 lotion gives me the replenished hydration I need.

AM: From a fashion perspective, how would you define your personal style?

RG: I like to stay classy and gentlemen like it’s important to add a little nuance to your style and some uniqueness that’s you. So I like to stay classy but for me add a little edge, maybe wear an oversized T-shirt, or add a little bit of jewelry that really pops.

AM: When you’re not in the ring or working on other projects, how do you take time for yourself?

RG: I’ll take the time to study other things that interest me, things that I’m passionate about, because ultimately that’s what keeps the fire going. Whether it’s a business passion like MARLOWE., or learning about Poker strategy, or playing tennis.

IG @KingRyan

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | MARLOWE.

Read the NOV ISSUE #71 of Athleisure Mag and see King of the Ring with Ryan Garcia in mag.

SHE'S SUPERBAD WITH SENIESA ESTRADA

We're all settling into new routines and we caught up with WBA's 18-0 flyweight champion, Seniesa "Superbad" Estrada who is taking the boxing world by storm by breaking barriers one fight at a time! We took some time with Golden Boy Promotions' boxer as she is in the midst of training for her July match. She shared her journey through the sport, her passion that began for it when she watched with her father as well as how she stayed focus despite obstacles that stood in her way. We also talked about her partnerships as well as having the support of Danny Trejo noted actor of Machete and Predators as well as restaurateur of Trejos Tacos. She even shared how she wants to give back to her community and those with an interest in boxing. Finally, she shares how she has set up her training as we continue to live in these uncertain times.

ATHLEISURE MAG: When was the moment that you realized that you loved this sport and that you wanted to be involved in it?

SENIESA ESTRADA: When I was about 6 years old, I believe. I would watch boxing fights with my dad. My parents divorced when I was 1. The only time that I would see my dad was on the weekends and I would go over to his house. Every weekend, there would be a big Pay-Per-View fight that was on. He would order it for us to watch or we would just watch a classic boxing fight from an old tape that he had – Sugar Ray Leonard, Mike Tyson – all the great fighters. The first moment that I watched the fight, it would intrigue me and everything just made sense to me and I knew that that was what I wanted to do.

AM: When did you actually start and who was your coach?

SE: I started when I was 8. From the age of 6 that’s when I watched it and I really wanted to box. I spent 6-8 months just asking him if we could go to the gym and start boxing. But he was totally against it. I remember when I would ask that he would tell me that boxing was for boys and I could do cheerleading or something like that. I remember thinking, “cheerleading – that’s so boring.” My brothers played baseball from t-ball all the way to high school. I was always at the park with them and I loved baseball, it is my second favorite sport. Even for baseball, he was against that too as he felt that that was for boys.

The very first gym that I went to was just a little outside of East LA and my dad walked into the gym and the trainer said, “oh she’s too young and we usually work with people who are 13. Bring her back when she is 13 – plus she’s a girl and we don’t really train girls.” My dad got in the car and he told me what the trainer had said and I started crying. At that point, my dad realized how much I really wanted to start boxing and he took me to a local gym in the neighborhood that he grew up in at the Colmbacke center and it’s a great place with a boxing program free for all kids and it was an awesome place. The very first trainer that I had when I walked into the gym, I remember that he said, “you want to box?” The gym was filled with little boys and I was the only girl in there. He said, “ok I’m going to train you, but I’m going to tell you right now that I am going to treat you just like one of the boys. I’m not going to treat you any different.” I said, “ok” and we started from there and I haven’t stopped since.

AM: That’s a great story and at what point did you decide that you were going to go pro and what led to that decision?

SE: I would say when I was 16, I won the USA National Championship which ranked me #1 in the US. The first Women’s Olympic Boxing was going to be in 2012 which was 3 years later. At that point, I had had over 100 amateur fights already. I wasn’t sure - I didn’t want to wait another 3 years. I was tired as I had been doing a lot of traveling for tournaments. I also fractured my toe – I dropped a weight in the gym on it. The toe kind of kept me from being able to compete and there was just a lot going on from the injury as well as waiting 3 years so I decided to turn pro. Turning pro, I didn’t realize how the transition was different. When you’re in the amateurs, there is pretty much a tournament every month and you’re fighting constantly. When you turn pro, it’s not like that. Especially for women, now it’s great, but back then it was different. It was difficult to get a fight, it was difficult to get signed by a big promoter. I was fighting every 7 months and sometimes, every 8 months. So I didn’t realize how different the transition was and how dead women’s boxing was. Just to see the change now – the difference, that change has only taken place in the last 2 years. It’s insane to see the difference of where boxing was 5 years ago vs. today. It’s only getting bigger and better now which is something that I am looking forward to in the future.

AM: To know that it has only been in the last few years that these changes have taken place is really interesting. In doing our research of you as a female fighter, being Mexican-American, winning the women’s Golden Gloves match, being signed under Oscar de la Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions – you have had so many firsts that you have broken through. What was your motivation to continue to play the sport with all of these things that could have impeded you from breaking through?

SE: My motivation, I would say that there were so many times that I wanted to give up. I knew that I didn’t want to live my life wondering if I could have done it if I gave up. That was the biggest motivator for me and kept me going.

AM: What is a typical training session like for you normally and since we’re all staying in due to COVID-19, how have you modified those kinds of things to stay fit?

SE: Typical training, I would do strength and conditioning for 1 hour to an hour and a half. Then I would go to the boxing gym and I would be there for about 3 hours. But now, it’s been a little different of course. We have been running at the parkas well as training there. I have also trained in my dad’s backyard. We got as much equipment as we could out of the gym to the backyard. So we’ve been doing that. It’s a lot different not having a boxing ring and easy access to everything, but I was talking about it with my trainer. We’re getting ready for a fight that is supposed to take place in July – what we’re getting ready fo. We’re not able to spar but I have been through so many training camps where I couldn’t get any sparring and I only sparred 6 rounds during the whole training camp which is insane. So all of the little obstacles that I have dealt with throughout my career this isn’t difficult because I have been through this before as it comes to training. We actually didn’t have a gym for awhile years back. So we trained at the park so I have done this before.

AM: What is it like on fight day for you? Are there certain routines that you have leading up to the fight?

SE: I would say that he day of the fight, I just like to be left alone. I don’t really like to have friends or family around me. I don’t like to talk. I just want to stay focused and be by myself on the day leading up to the fight. I get very nervous. So many people are surprised to hear that I get so nervous because it doesn’t show especially when I get into the ring – it doesn’t show.

Having so much amateur experience and just being as good as I am, people don’t expect that from me. But I do, my hands are just dripping in sweat and I don’t eat. I mean, you’re supposed to eat a good breakfast of course which is good for the body and to have lunch if you can, but I get so nervous that I can’t eat that much the morning of or anything.

AM: Who have been your mentors in this sport?

SE: I would say, my dad. Because he’s been through so much personally and has overcome so much. As far as him being in and out of prison, addicted to drugs and changing his life. He’s been my number 1 supporter and has always made sure that I have never gave up and I always continue to have faith in myself and faith in God. He is the one person that no matter how down I’m feeling or no matter what it is that he is there to lift me up and to put my head in the right place.

AM: You have had a phenomenal career, you’re 18-0. What do you think about that and what are your goals that you want to do in the sport as you have such a dynamic career?

SE: In the sport, I just want to continue to elevate the sport of women’s boxing to be better. It won’t be easy for all female fighters, but all I can do is continue to accomplish my goals and for people to see me and recognize me so that they can be more open minded to watching women’s boxing and supporting other women in the sport. Of course, my goal is to win multiple titles in 3 different weight divisions – which is definitely something that I want.

AM: We know that you signed with RVCA the SoCal sportswearbrand, you have partnerships with Ladder – why are these great fits for your brand and are there others that you will be apart of as well?

SE: RVCA is a great fit for me because, it’s difficult to find a brand that really supports you no matter what during the ups and the downs. I feel that there are a lot of sponsors and brands that will only want to work with you when you’re at the top and winning. RVCA has been with me even before I had a deal with them. They supported me and have always been there. Pat, who is the owner of RVCA, the way he’s so genuine and that’s what really got my attention. It was the kind of brand that I wanted to work with and the kind of relationship that I wanted to have. I didn’t just want to wear the clothing and represent them. i wanted a relationship and to have a feeling of loyalty. That’s what stood out to me about RVCA and why I liked the brand, the people, the athletes and those who work for them. Everyone is just really good people and that’s what I appreciate about RVCA. Ladder is a great company and they have been great to work with and I love the products. I have always had a hard time finding supplements that I liked. Supplements that are actually working – I have never really felt that until I found Ladder and everything tastes good which is very important and it works.

AM: That is the perfect combo. You also have a sponsorship or partnership with Danny Trejos? We love his taco destination, Trejos Tacos, his movies and his personality. How did that happen and has he given you any advice on staying motivated?

SE: He’s great! Daniel my publicist, actually worked with him when he was at the LA Rams and introduced me to him as they became close friends. He’s amazing and super supportive. He is someone that is just great to have and genuine as he cares for his close friends and his family. I am grateful to know him. I would tell people – because they ask me, “how is Danny?” I always tell them an example. If he is doing an interview, he would invite me to come along with him so that we could talk about me. Every week, I will get a random call from him on a Mon or a Wed. I would say, “hey what’s up.” I would wonder what he needed. He was like, “nothing just checking up on you.” A call to check up and not because he wants to say something or wants something specifically. I don’t even have friends or family that do those calls that are just to check up! Everytime I tell people that, they find it interesting. No matter what he has going on or movies that he’s in, he still takes the time to think about people that he cares about.

AM: When you look at goals as a brand or things that you want to be involved in to add to that – what do you envision for yourself whether it’s in the sport or an adjacent area?

SE: As far as outside of the ring, I’d like to motivate those that are in the inner city and communities that I grew up in. I’d like to open up a gym in a community like where I grew up in. I know that a lot of gyms are expensive now. Being able to start boxing back at home in the community center that was a free program. My parents couldn’t have afforded being at a gym where there was a monthly fee and I know how important that is. Especially when there is a family that 3 or 4 kids that want to box – it’s not easy to pay $125 for each kid for a gym fee. I’d like to open a gym close to my community, have it affordable and classes for counseling. That way, everyday that you’re going to the gym, it’s a place where you can feel comfortable to talk about what is going on in your life and around you.

AM: I think that it’s awesome that you would want to create that in order to merge that balance between athleticism and mental health!

SE: I think it’s really important for kids and the community to find someone or a place where they are really comfortable speaking about these things going on in their life. AM: You were saying that you are training for the fight taking place in July. Is there a place that we should keep an eye out for on your social? SE: Yes! We’re looking at July. I think Golden Boy hasn’t said a date but I know their first boxing fight will be then. So I’m just preparing for that on any date in July.

IG @Seniesa_Superbad

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Seniesa "Superbad" Estrada

Hear 18-0 WBC boxer, Seniesa "Superbad" Estrada on our show, Bungalow SK - which is a part of Athleisure Studio, our multi-media podcast network! Make sure to subscribe to find out when the episode drops. You can hear it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Google Podcasts and wherever you enjoy listening to your favorite podcast.

Read the May Issue of Athleisure Mag and see She’s Superbad with Seniesa Estrada in mag.