RUBEN "MODERN DAY WARRIOR" GALVAN
Record:  27-13-3, 10 KOs
Weight Class:  Welterweight
Born, Raised and Residing in Hammond, IN
Date of Birth:  9-17-1972
Height:  5’7”
Stance: Orthodox
Trainer: Eric Jakubowski

Ruben “Modern Day Warrior” Galvan has made his hometown of Hammond very proud, as he has turned his career into one that dreams are made of as he has competed on the biggest stages.

“I’m a proud Mexican and I fight that way,” said tough, veteran fighter Ruben Galvan. In that tradition, Galvan has, without hesitation, always chosen to take the tough fights against the toughest opponents in their back yards.

Since making his professional debut in December of 1996, Galvan has gone on the road to face the likes of the legendary Jorge Paez, Paul Spadafora, hot contender Dmitriy Salita and the highly touted Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. After 43 bouts, Galvan is still loving it and looking toward the future.

“Sometimes I can’t believe it. I’m really living my dream,” Galvan continued. “I have two beautiful kids, a great job and a terrific manager in Octavius James. I’ve fought at the MGM, in Atlantic City and on TV. I’ve fought some of the best fighters in the division to decisions in their own back yards. My day will come.”

After 15 professional fights, Galvan was offered a bout against highly touted Top Rank prospect Cristian Bejarano on the 2002 Floyd Mayweather vs. Jose Luis Castillo card at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. It was Galvan’s first time on the big stage.

“I always dreamed of fighting at the MGM. That was my Graceland.” Galvan lost a very respectable 6-round decision to Bejarano, the 2000 Olympic bronze medalist and 5-time Mexican national amateur champion.

Galvan’s professional debut came in front of the hometown crowd of Hammond, Indiana, when he defeated Richard Jeffries by 1st round TKO. From his first fight, “The Modern Day Warrior” has been lived up to his alias over and over again with some of the most eclectic and card-stealing bouts in boxing.

Some of those bouts include two exciting and memorable fights with fellow O.I.A.M. stable-mate Jermaine White, with White taking both bouts leaving everyone with something to talk about for years to come.

“Those fights (between White and Galvan) have been some of the most entertaining fights I have ever seen,” said James. “They are such good friends, but when that bell rings, that all goes by the waste side.”

Galvan has also stepped into the ring with Zab Judah on ESPN 2, but unfortunately the bout was declared a no-contest in the 1st round leaving both Galvan and Judah unhappy; due to a gash over the forehead of Galvan.

Judah is just one on the long list of top-tier fighters that squared off against the “Modern Day Warrior” and the list continues to grow.

 

Career in review
December 5th, 1996--  Galvan began his career in his hometown of Hammond at the Hammond Civic Center and won by 1st round TKO (2:43) over Richard Jeffries.

March 19th, 1997--  Galvan returned to the Hammond Civic Center and knocked out Corey Jones in the second round (2:14) of a scheduled four round fight.

September 25th, 1997--  Galvan took his would claim his third win by TKO at the Showboat in East Chicago, Indiana over John Davis in the 2nd round.

November 1st, 1997--  Galvan stepped back into the ring less than two months after his third fight. The Hammond native walked away with a four round draw over David Turner in Indianapolis, Indiana.

June 4th, 1998--  Galvan started his 1998 campaign  by beating Robert Polojac with a 4th round TKO (1:49) at the Showboat in East Chicago, Indiana.

August 28th, 1999--  Galvan wouldn’t return to the ring for more than a year and returned to face his toughest opponent in his young career and he dropped a 10-round war to Marty Jakubowski at a Hooters in Des Moines, Iowa.

October 14, 1999--  Galvan quickly put his first loss behind him, as he won a four-round decision over previously unbeaten Shad Howard at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City, Missouri.

October 22nd, 1999--  Just eight days after winning a four-round decision, Galvan won by TKO in the 4th round (1:04) over Aaron Echols at the Grand Victoria Casino in Rising Sun, Indiana.

February 24th, 2000--  Galvan would travel to Paducah, Kentucky for back-to-back fights and won his first fight against Lee Cargle by a six-round unanimous decision.

May 25th, 2000--  Galvan won his second consecutive fight in Paducah, Kentucky by squeaking out an unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Shea Simmons.

June 25th, 2000--   Galvan returned back to Northwest Indiana and received a draw by points over Juan Raul Llopis at the Majestic Star Casino in Gary, Indiana.

December 10th, 2000--  Galvan won by TKO over John Huckaby in the 1st round of a scheduled four round fight in Memphis, Tennessee.

January 7, 2001--   Galvan battled for four rounds to earn a decision on points over Ryan Maraldo at the Paladium in Memphis, Tennessee.

June 8th, 2001--  This would mark the second straight fight Galvan would need all four rounds to earn himself a decision over Vernice Christon at Ho-Chunk Casino in Baraboo, Wisconsin.

September 30th, 2001--  In a rematch, Galvan once again was victorious with a decision over Juan Raul Llopis at Grand Victoria Casino in Rising Sun, Indiana.

April 20th, 2002--  At the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, Galvan dropped a six-round unanimous decision to Cristian Bejarano with the scorecards reading 53-60, 54-59 and 54-59.

May 21st, 2002--  Galvan didn’t wait long to avenge his loss, as he won a four-round unanimous decision over Joseph Harden at the 8 Second Saloon in Indianapolis, Indiana.

October 1st, 2002--   In another rematch, Galvan battled for an eight-round decision over Ryan Maraldo at the 8 Second Saloon in Indianapolis, Indiana.

November 5th, 2002--  A little over a month later, Galvan defeated Chris Buford by TKO in the 3rd round of a scheduled 10-round fight at the New Daisy Theatre in Memphis, Tennessee.

February 22nd, 2003--  Galvan won by TKO in the 5th round (1:52) over Nelson Hernandez at the VFW Hall in Lake Station, Indiana.

May 10th, 2003--  Galvan delivered his third straight TKO, as he knocked out Clifton Woods in the 6th round at the VFW Hall in Lake Station, Indiana.

June 14th, 2003--  Galvan battled and defeated Chris Regular by majority decision in eight rounds at the Radisson Hotel @ Star Plaza in Merrillville, Indiana. The scorecards read 78-74, 76-76 and 77-75.

July 25th, 2003--  After a six straight wins, Galvan lost a 10-round unanimous decision to Jorge Paez at the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona with the scorecards reading 90-99, 90-99 and  91-98.

October 17th, 2003--  Galvan would matchup for the third time against Ryan Maraldo, but this time Maraldo would avenge his previous two losses as he defeated Galvan by split decision. The scorecards at the Radisson Hotel @ Star Plaza in Merrillville, Indiana read 75-77, 73-79 and 79-73.

December 5th, 2003--  Galvan bounced back by winning a six-round unanimous decision over Randy Dobbs at the Omega Sports Center in Hobart, Indiana with the scorecards reading 60-54, 58-56 and 60-54.

March 13, 2004--  Galvan squared off against Ryan Maraldo for the fourth time and this time it was Galvan avenging a loss by winning a 10-round unanimous decision. The scorecards read 98-92, 98-92 and 97-93 at the Gold Strike Casino in Tunica, Mississippi.

April 29th, 2004--  At the Hilton Garden Inn in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, Galvan battled the unbeaten Paul Spadafora for 10 rounds, losing an unanimous decision with all the scorecards reading 90-100.

September 14th, 2004--  At the Atlantic Oceana in Brighton Beach, New York, Galvan dropped an unanimous eight-round decision to Dmitriy Salita with all three scorecards reading 72-80.

January 21st, 2005--  In a rematch against Chris Regular, Galvan dominated on his way to a six-round unanimous decision at the Radisson Hotel @ Star Plaza in Merrillville, Indiana with the scorecards reading 58-56, 60-54 and 59-55.

May 20th, 2005--  In the 4th round at the Radisson Hotel @ Star Plaza in Merrillville, Indiana, Galvan’s matchup against James Rice was declared a no contest in a scheduled six-round bout.

June 25th, 2005--  Against the highly touted Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., Galvan was stopped in the 4th round by TKO (2:22) at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

August 18th, 2005--  In another rematch, Galvan made sure there wasn’t going to be a no-contest this time as he won a six-round unanimous decision over James Rice at the Whiting Park in Whiting, Indiana.

October 21st, 2005--  For the fifth time, Galvan matchuped against Ryan Maraldo and took a 10-round split decision at the Caesars Casino in Elizabeth, Indiana with the scorecards reading 97-93, 97-93 and 93-97.

November 18th, 2005--  At the Radisson Hotel @ Star Plaza in Merrillville, Indiana, Galvan fought Jamie Alvarado for a eight-round split decision with the scorecards reading 77-75, 74-78 and 78-74.

January 19th, 2006--  At the Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, Galvan lost an eight-round decision to Matthew Strode with the scorecards reading 73-79, 72-80 and 72-80.

February 24th, 2006--  At the Hammond Civic Center in Hammond, Indiana, Galvan won a four-round unanimous decision over Paul Reyes with the scorecards reading 40-35, 38-37 and 38-37.

April 14th, 2006--  At the Radisson Hotel @ Star Plaza in Merrillville, Indiana, Galvan lost a majority decision to Jamie Alvarado in a rematch with the scorecards reading 73-79, 76-76 and 75-77.

July 14th, 2006--  Galvan defeated Leroy Newton with an unanimous eight-round decision at the Radisson Hotel @ Star Plaza in Merrillville, Indiana with the scorecards reading 80-72, 78-74 and 78-74,

September 23rd, 2006--  In a rematch, Galvan lost an eight-round unanimous decision to Jamie Alvarado at the Hammond Civic Center in Hammond, Indiana for the Indiana State Light Welterweight Title with the scorecards reading 72-80, 72-79 and 73-79.

November 17th, 2006--  At the Radisson Hotel @ Star Plaza in Merrillville, Indiana, Galvan won by TKO over Brian Paul in the 3rd round (2:50).

February 9th, 2007--  For the Indiana Boxing Association Welterweight Title, Galvan dropped an eight-round decision to Jermaine White at the Radisson Hotel @ Star Plaza in Merrillville, Indiana with the scorecards reading 72-80, 72-80 and 73-79.

April 13th, 2007--  At the Fitzgerald’s Casino and Hotel in Tunica, Mississippi, Galvan’s bout with Zab Judah was declared a no contest in the 1st round of a scheduled 10-round fight.

November 16th, 2007--  In a rematch against Leroy Newton, Galvan walked away with a six-round draw at the Radisson Hotel @ Star Plaza in Merrillville, Indiana with the scorecards reading 59-55, 57-57 and 58-58.

December 14th, 2007--  At the Majestic Star Casino in Gary, Indiana, Galvan lost by TKO to Jermaine White in the 7th round (2:46).

May 31st, 2008--  Galvan lost a six-round unanimous decision to Mike Post at the Brantford Civic Center in Brantford, Ontanio Canada with the scorecards reading 57-58, 56-58 and 55-59.

 

Background
Ruben Galvan was born in Hammond, Indiana on September 17th, 1972 and continues to live in the city that continues to embrace him and his career. “Hammond has always been behind me and my career and my first fight was the Civic Center and everyone was behind me.”

Galvan and his two siblings were raised in the church. Ruben’s father is a Pentecostal Minister and heads the exclusively Spanish speaking Mount Sinai church in Hammond.

“My parents are very good people and proud of the way I’ve lived my life,” Galvan said. “They taught me that I could do anything that I put my heart into. I try to live my life like they’re watching me at every minute.”

Music was a big part of the Galvan household when he was growing up. “We were like the Partridge family,” Galvan laughed. “Every member of my family played an instrument. It was a family band and we played at church.”

A father to Jasmine (15) and Ruben Jr. (17), Galvan is the ultimate family man, as his kids can be seen running to his side after each of his fights ready to embrace him with a huge hug. “My kids are my world and I love them so much, they are really turning into some really great people.”

“You can really see the true love he has for his family,” said James. “To see him with his kids and his family, it really shows what kind of man Ruben is.”

Galvan works for and is sponsored by Horseshoe Casino in Hammond when he isn’t battling the best the world has to offer. “Horseshoe has been a great sponsor. I always have a big crowd of co-workers in the audience supporting me when I fight.”