RGBA Fighter Colunga Critical After Shooting

By Raymundo Dioses

On January 18, 2019 rising super featherweight Izaac Colunga was featured on the undercard of the inaugural Mikey Garcia Promotions fight card in San Bernardino, California.  Colunga dominated and stopped opponent Patrick Gutierrez within two rounds and was also awarded the ‘Knockout of the Night’ bonus.

Colunga, (3-0 2KO) a mild mannered former high school athlete, was welcomed into the prestigious Robert Garcia Boxing Academy under the tutelage of famed trainer Robert Garcia (brother to Mikey Garcia) at the Riverside, California location.  Colunga was scheduled to appear on the March 16, 2019 undercard of the Mikey Garcia v. Errol Spence super fight on March 16, 2019, and was tentatively scheduled for the second Mikey Garcia Promotions event in April 2019.

On Sunday, March 3, 2019, Colunga was at a residence in Riverside and was shot in the spine in what is being described as a drive by shooting.  Authorities have determined that there was no target, nor any altercation that preceded the shooting.

“He’s always very happy to be here, working hard, learning,” said Mikey Garcia this week about Colunga.  “I don’t think it will be an easy recovery, but he can definitely pull through.  He has the mental strength, that (positive) attitude.”

Garcia spoke to ESNews about the situation.

At the March 4, 2019 Los Angeles press conference for the upcoming Canelo Alvarez v. Danny Jacobs bout, the CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, Oscar De La Hoya, gave an interview about Colunga.

Colunga remains in critical condition.  His family is having a carwash on Sunday, March 10, 2019 at 1157 S Mt Vernon Ave, Colton, CA 92324, and a Go Fund Me Page has been set up. 

https://www.gofundme.com/team-colunga

Izaac, as you are a professional boxer, best wishes to having your first successful comeback.