How did Donovan Garcia die? Tributes pour in as rising amateur boxer dies at 15
AURORA, COLORADO: Amateur boxer Donovan Garcia died in a car accident at 15 years old. The rising boxer suffered significant injuries from the crash. Following the accident on January 11, he was left with severe brain injuries and remained unresponsive to the final tests doctors performed on him, according to the GoFundMe page set up by his family. He was pronounced legally dead on January 17, 2023.
In the post, Garcia's cousin, Rosmina wrote, "Being that Donovan's entire body from the neck down was fully functional, his parents fought to keep him on life support. Despite their best efforts, Donovan's health started to decline. Sadly, Donovan fought his biggest battle and went 7 rounds, but he was tired." Thanking everyone for their support to the teen boxer, the post wrote, "His family wants everyone to know that he is at peace and they are at peace with God's will. We will update everyone on services as soon as we can. Thank you everyone for the continued prayers, support, and love. Donovan's memory and legacy will live on forever."
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Coaches honor Garcia's boxing career
Garcia's decorated amateur career in boxing received popularity after he won a Golden Gloves title in 2019. He has also won the Junior Olympics State Champion and Silver Gloves State Champion honors. Believed to be Mario Marin, a man who identified himself as 'Coach Mario' recalled his memory of meeting the young boxer and wrote, "I met Donovan at our Brawlers gym a couple of years ago. 'Such a well-mannered disciplined young man I thought watching him train. I told my son X, ''that kid right there gets it! He is talented and he started training as a little one much like you son.''
Many people mourned Garcia's loss and Mario's statement comes from the obituary for the boxer that was shared by the funeral home, reported Daily Mail. "We would later run into him and his Father/Coach Daniel at events and they were always class acts, we enjoyed watching Donovan-Garcia perform. Loved his cowboy gimmick!!! Kid was an entertainer/athlete. We lost him here on Earth and Heaven gained an Angel. RIP Champ," Mario continued.
Sharing memories of the teenager and saying that the late boxer had a "heart of gold," another boxing coach, Manuel Alvarado, wrote, "I had the pleasure of training him when he was 7 yrs old and got him registered with USA BOXING to start his amateur career. He went on to be a great champion beating some of the best boxers. Boxing was his passion."
USA Boxing board member Pat Butler expressed his grief at the loss of Garcia and wrote, “My deepest sympathies to all of Donovan’s family and friends,” he wrote. “I had the privilege of officiating several of his boxing events. He always conducted himself with great charisma, class, and skills.”