Garcia given one really strong kidney

Garcia given one really strong kidney

Salinas boxing trainer Max Garcia is used to keeping his fighters trim by having them follow strict rules.

Now Garcia is heeding his own guidance as he begins to recuperate from successful kidney transplant surgery.

On July 29, at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center, Garcia received a kidney from his 35-year-old niece, Angela Hernandez of Watsonville. One week into the recovery things are progressing nicely.

"I feel pretty good," said the 57-year-old Garcia from his home Tuesday. "I'm just going to be very careful over the next three or four weeks to stay away from any infections.

"I'm reading a lot about kidney transplants and following what it says. I'm used to being strict."

Garcia said he was blessed to receive the organ from a very healthy member of his family, and has faith he'll be back training his stable of fighters before too long.

"She's a runner and she's in exceptional shape," he said. "Most people have one kidney that's stronger than the other, but she had two really strong kidneys. Now I have one really strong kidney."

Garcia said his limited role in training his boxers over the past few months while he underwent treatment leading up to the transplant was difficult, but he said Garcia Boxing forged ahead under the guidance of his 26-year-old son, Sam Garcia.

"I put it all on my son and he did a great job," Max Garcia said. "I gave him the workouts and he carried them out."

Garcia said the team is regrouping during his recovery process, and will not have a boxer on a card until Sept. 13, when Eric Garcia (1-0-1, 0 KOS), no relation, and Constancio Alvarado (1-1-4, 0 KO) are scheduled to compete at the Fight Night at the Tank event in San Jose.

"The team is coming back together," he said.

RYAN WALLACE is a sports reporter for The Salinas Californian. His "In This Corner" column appears every Wednesday. Contact him at (831) 754-4267 or wallacer@thecalifornian.com.

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