Kenny Galarza - Amateur Career

Amateur Career

Galarza won Puerto Rico's national championship on seven different occasions. While competing for Puerto Rico internationally, the pugilist studied in the Metropolitan Recint of the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico. In August 2002, he participated in the Juan Evangelista Venegas Tournament, advancing to the semifinals before losing to Jesús González by points, 18:11. Galarza co-held the competition's bronze medal with Danny Jiménez of Mexico. He participated in the International José "Cheo" Aponte Tournament which began on June 2, 2003. But was unable to advance to the final rounds. Galarza won three different medals at the Junior Olympics Invitational level, gathering gold in the bantamweight (54 kg, 119 lb) and lightweight (60 kg, 132 lb) divisions and silver in the featherweight (57 kg, 125 lb) category. Galarza participated in the 2003 edition of the Torneo Internacional de Boxeo Batalla de Carabobo, winning bronze. In 2005, he lost to Miguel Riveiro of Brazil by points, during the eliminatory stage. In that year's International José "Cheo" Aponte Tournament, Galarza advanced to the semifinals, but lost to Myke Carvalho by points, 14:12. On October 3, 2005, Galarza won the light welterweight (64 kg, 141 lb) silver medal at the Pan American Boxing Championships, only losing to Inocente Fiss by referee technical decision (RTD) in the final. Galarza participated in the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games, where he debuted defeating Luis E. Grajeda Ozaeta of Mexico by points (8:6) in the 64 kg division. In his second fight, Galarza lost to Yudel Johnson of Cuba by points, 12:9. On the third date, he defeated Kennis Joseph of Grenada by referee stopping contest (RSC) in the second round. This was followed by a rematch against Johnson, who won by points, with a similar score of 12:9. With this performance, Galarza won the tournament’s bronze medal. He was unable to compete in the 2006 Campeonato Nacional Isaac Barriento de Boxeo Aficionado tournament due to an arm injury. Galarza, along twin brothers Carlos and Juan Velázquez, was one of the national team's boxers that decided to become professionals before the 2007 Pan American Games. He closed this stage with a record of 252 wins and 58 losses.