His life
A champion, in and out of the ring
Robert "Pikin" Quiroga grew up in San Antonio with three siblings: a sister, Rosa Elia, and two brothers, Epifanio and Alejandro. His parents are Elidia Solis and Epifanio Quiroga, and his stepfather is Raymond P. Solis. He graduated from Memorial High School in 1987.
Robert's love for boxing was second only to his love for his two daughters, Crystal Marie and Catheryne Elidia. After his boxing career ended, he became a team leader at the Center for Health Services, where he worked with troubled and handicapped children.
In November 2000 Robert took on a new challenge and began a career in car sales with Red McCombs. He quickly established himself as a top salesman, winning Salesman of the Month four times in 2002, five times in 2003 and five times in 2004. In 2003 he was named Salesman of the Year.
But Robert is known to the world as one of the pre-eminent super flyweights in the history of the sport. Every professional boxer dreams of becoming world champion in his weight division. Becoming champion while being celebrated as a great fighter, one with heart, courage and passion in the ring, comes to only a few. Robert was one of those fighters.
His personality, his desire to be the best and his love of family are what set Robert apart.
His exploits in the ring were many, but it was the way he lived outside it that showed the kind of person he was.
1990–1993
The title reign
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April 24, 1990Sunderland, EnglandWins the IBF title
vs. Juan Polo Perez
With an impressive 14–0 record, Robert traveled to England to challenge Juan Polo Perez for the International Boxing Federation super flyweight title. The fans at the Crowtree Leisure Centre found out what the fans at Sunken Gardens and Freeman Coliseum already knew: they were watching a determined fighter making his dream a reality. Robert won a unanimous decision to become the first boxer from San Antonio to win a world championship, and came home to a hero's welcome.
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October 6, 1990ItalyDefense No. 1
vs. Vuyani Nene
Always a boxer on the offense, Robert gave Nene no chance, stopping him in the fourth round. The win established him as a true champion with the mindset to stay that way.
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January 26, 1991Capo d'Orlando, ItalyDefense No. 2
vs. Vincenzo Belcastro
San Antonio fans had to wait again as Robert defended in Italy, this time at Capo d'Orlando's Palazzo dello Sport. Two judges scored the 12-round bout for Robert, 120–110 and 117–111; a third had it 115–114 for Belcastro.
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June 15, 1991San AntonioDefense No. 3 · Fight of the Year
vs. "Kid" Akeem Anifowoshe
Robert's first title defense in his hometown became one for the boxing annals. Named Ring Magazine's Fight of the Year and later called the best super flyweight fight ever, it was 12 brutal rounds of raw courage from both men, with Robert taking a unanimous decision. Watch it below.
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February 15, 1992Salerno, ItalyDefense No. 4
vs. Carlos Manuel Mercado
Back in Italy against the undefeated Mercado, Robert showed no ill effects from the Anifowoshe war and won a unanimous decision.
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July 11, 1992Las VegasDefense No. 5
vs. Jose Ruiz
The bright lights of Las Vegas and the Aladdin Hotel. Ruiz proved one of Robert's toughest opponents, but the San Antonio fighter's heart carried him to a majority decision. Five successful defenses earned Robert a special ring from the IBF.
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January 16, 1993San AntonioFinal title fight
vs. Julio Cesar Borboa
Almost three years after winning the title, Robert defended at home again before a frenzied crowd. Borboa was as hungry and courageous as Robert had been, and Robert, who never knew the word "quit," fought on until the ring physician stopped it in the 12th round.
June 15, 1991 · San Antonio
The Fight of the Year
Robert "Pikin" Quiroga and "Kid" Akeem Anifowoshe met for the IBF super flyweight title in an epic battle that Ring Magazine named the Fight of the Year for 1991. Quiroga won by decision, but both fighters ended up in the hospital. Anifowoshe collapsed after the scores were read and was rushed into emergency surgery.
The first four rounds are here. Watch the full fight on YouTube.
Of note
Honors & his corner
- First American to win the IBF super flyweight championship
- Ring Magazine 1991 Fight of the Year
- Ring Magazine Top 10 Fights of 1990
- Ring Magazine 100 Greatest Title Fights of All Time
- San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame, inducted February 1, 2002. His plaque hangs at the Alamodome.
- San Antonio Boxing Hall of Fame
- San Antonio National Hispanic Sports Hall of Fame
- Latinos in Action Sports Hall of Fame
- Laredo Hispanic Hall of Fame
One trainer, start to finish
In a sport not known for loyalty, Robert showed great class. He spent his entire amateur and professional career with one trainer, Joe "Angel" Lopez. Theirs grew into more than a trainer-boxer relationship. It was father and son. Lopez's guidance and Robert's will to win set a standard for trainers and boxers who came after.
The people behind him
For most of his career Robert was managed and promoted by Rich and Sandy Lander of San Antonio. His title opportunity came under the Cedric Kushner banner, and he was later managed by the late Eddie Garcia. Local car dealer Ernesto Ancira was instrumental late in his career, sponsoring Robert's last fights.
Remembering Pikin
A tribute
A short tribute video made in Robert's memory, with photos, fight footage and news clippings from his life and career.
The album
Photos
The legend lives because of you
Remembrance
For a decade after his passing, family, friends and fans in San Antonio gathered every year to celebrate Robert's life and the sport he loved, with music, food, boxing, raffles and motorcycle parades through town.
His brother Epi led an effort to honor Robert with a life-sized statue at Woodlawn Lake, where Robert trained for his career, so that young people in the westside community could see what determination, passion and drive can accomplish.
Those gatherings have ended, but this site stays up to keep his story where anyone can find it.
- A Day at the ParkAnnual remembrance fundraisers beginning in 2005, raising scholarship money for deserving San Antonio youth.
- RoQ & Ride Community FestCelebrations of Robert's life with music, comedy, boxing and a huge motorcycle parade. The 10-year anniversary fest was held at Historic Market Square on September 13, 2014, alongside Diez y Seis de Septiembre.
- RoQ & Ride Throttle ThursdaysSummer 2014 bike nights featuring classic fights, including Robert's wins over Juan Polo Perez and Kid Akeem.
- Walk & Jog with Robert "Pikin" QuirogaMarch 2014 at Woodlawn Lake Park, to teach the community about Robert's accomplishments.