Robert Garris

Name: Robert Garris
Alias: Rob
Birth Name: Robert Garris
Hometown: Mount Vernon, New York, USA
Birthplace: Yonkers, New York, USA
Stance: Orthodox
Height: 178cm
Pro Boxer: Record

Throwaway Kids Foundation

• Former amateur fighter Rob Garris (63-3 with 38 knockouts in his amateur career) founded The Throwaway Kids Foundation in 2004 to assist foster children of all ethnic backgrounds. Garris, who was bullied in foster care after he was given up by his mother at birth, has devoted his adult life to helping foster children.

• A ruptured artery which caused excessive nose bleeding forced Garris to retire from boxing at age 19 in 1985 before he could turn professional, and realize his dream of becoming a world champion. He became a professional barber and later the owner of Mackadocious Hair Style salon in New Rochelle, New York. Garris continued to advocate for the needs of neglected and abused foster children, and continued to tirelessly fight to expose corruption in the foster care system. Among his achievements, he successfully reunited many foster children with their biological families while still searching for his own birth mother.

Garris Comeback Attempt at Age 47

• Improved modern medical technology subsequently repaired the injury to Garris' nose, enabling him to return to the ring in a number of charity exhibitions beginning in 2007.

• In December 2012, after obtaining medical clearance from the New York State Boxing Commission, Garris turned professional at age 47 after a 27 year hiatus from the ring. His comeback attempt was unsuccessful. Garris was knocked out in one minute of the first round.