Kenny Galarza

Kenny Omar Galarza Arocho (born October 16, 1985) is a professional boxer.

He competes in the light welterweight division, and represented Puerto Rico at numerous events as an amateur.

Galarza won seven national championships locally and earned several recognitions in international competition.

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.

These include: two gold medals at the Junior Olympics Invitational, silver at the 2005 Pan American Boxing Championships and bronze in the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games.

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.

Prior to the 2007 Pan American Games, Galarza closed his amateur career, signing with Seminole Warriors Boxing.

He debuted defeating Jesse Francisco on May 16, 2007.

This victory marked the beginning of a knockout streak, which has lasted for thirteen contests.

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.

Galarza debuted on May 16, 2007, being promoted by Seminole Warriors Boxing and trained by his father and José Bonilla.

In his first contest, he fought Jesse Francisco in the welterweight limit, as part of a card held in Hollywood, Florida.

After both pugilists scored knockdowns in the first round, Galarza defeated Francisco by technical knockout in the second.

On September 18, 2009, Galarza won his first professional title, defeating Joshua Allotey to become the first interim light welterweight champion of the North American Boxing Organization.

Amassing a perfect record and knockout ratio earned him inclusion in other sanctioning bodies, including the World Boxing Organization (11th), WBO Latino (7th), World Boxing Association's FEDECARIBE (6th) and World Boxing Foundation's International (10th) rankings.

Galarza was born in the municipality of Ponce to Israel Galarza and Elizabeth Arocho.

He is one of five siblings, composed of one sister, Anette Galarza, and four brothers, including Israel Jr., Arnaldo and Kelvin.

Galarza was raised in the practice of Catholicism.

The family displays the practice of boxing tradition among its male members.

His father is involved in the sport as a trainer.

Several of his brothers are involved in the sport; Arnaldo Galarza is an amateur heavyweight, Kelvin Galarza and Israel are professional in the lightweight and featherweight divisions respectively.

Galarza learned the basics of the sport in a gym established in Collores, a barrio located in the municipality of Juana Díaz, considering Félix Trinidad his inspiration within the discipline.

He also became interested in another combat sport, cockfighting, adopting it as a hobby.

After completing his high school education, Galarza earned an Electrical Technician degree.

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.