I am just wondering if the he has ever gotten his fair share of credit for destroying a prime and top p4p Kelley. [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSk9Tp-jBx0&feature=related[/ame]
probably not, those other mexicans (and the prince) came soon after and stole the historical limelight
Short prime probably goes against him being remembered more.He never lived up to the potential he showed against Kelley and Espinosa. I don't know much about him outside of the ring though, was there a lack of dedication there?.
He was a good fighter not underated at all, but I think it was more the beginning of a slide on Kelleys part. Gonzalez really broke Kelleys will in a grueling brawl. He wasnt necessarily outclassing him he just had a stronger will to win and that was the difference.
I am good friends with his son and his former trainer Capetillo and from what has been said he lacked discipline and realized this when Javier Capetillo trained him. Contrary to what people think Capetillo is a tough trainer that very few pro fighters can keep up with his workout--he will tell a fighter the truth when they give a **** poor effort. He admits that after Kelley he lost focus and became overconfident. I think his fight against Kelley is about on the same level as Barrera vs Hamed.
I just watched his fight with Kelley for the first time the other day and he looked fantastic. Relentless,a very solid puncher and he had a great hook to the body. He really looked Chavezesqe in that fight and it was a real pity he never reached those lofty heights again. I watched his rematch with Espinosa and I'd definately buy that he was over-confident in that one. He came out looking to destroy Espinosa and got caught cold and pummelled all over the ring in the first. He still came out brawling in the next couple of rounds and looked to be getting back on top until the sudden and brutal ending. Still based on the Kelley fight I reckon that version of Gonzalez would've given Hamed,Barrera and Morales really, really tough fights and maybe even have posted an upset.
He got a ton of credit at the time, and was given a huge push by the magazines. But he failed to live up to the hype.
Hell, no.... Gonzalez never did too much in the aftermath..... Kelley never rebounded fully after getting beat by Alex.... Neither were / are great.... At best, Kelley & Gonzo proved to be good for the era...... MR.BILL
I'd forgotten about that fight. I was so excited that night; always loved Mexican fighters, and friends in El Paso had seen Gonzalez in Juarez and were telling me about him. Bad strategy for Kelly; he needs room to punch and Gonzalez punched much harder close up. I had the pleasure of meeting Gonzalez before what I believe was his first defense, against Espinoza (the hard puncher from Phoenix), at the Pond, in Anaheim, CA.
