This content is protected Gonzalez was a bright prospect who stopped the durable multiple title challenger Vilomar Ferndandez in only two rounds. He lost a surprise decision to Claude Noel for the vacant WBA title in 1981 and then pretty much slid into obscurity. Although, he did fight twice for the 140 lb title v. Patrizo Olivia and Roger Mayweather. His best win other than Ferndandez was probably a 10 round decision over Rene Arrendondo. Now, Gonzales is imprisoned in Mexico for murders he says he did not commit.
It's always been kinda confusing to me...Rodolfo Gonzales...there were two Mexican fighters by this name... This content is protected
It's always been kinda confusing to me...Rodolfo Gonzales...there were two Mexican fighters by this name...the Rodolfo "Gato" Gonzales who beat Chango Carmona for a version of the lightweight title in 1972, and a Rodolfo "Gato" Gonzales who kayoed Vilomar Fernandez. I guess that this thread is about Rodolfo Gato Gonzales Number 2.
Remember some of the hype from the magazines about him during the early 80's. Felt bad he didn't pull that win against Noel off. Hopefully he gets out of prison.
The one Gato looked insanely good against Carmona but never really did again. The other I vaguely remember.
1972 #1 Gato: 1972-11-10 : Rodolfo Gonzalez 134 lbs beat Chango Carmona 132½ lbs by RTD in round 12 of 15 Location: Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California, USA Referee: John Thomas 10-1 Judge: George Latka 12-0 Judge: Larry Rozadilla 10-0 WBC lightweight title Rodolfo Gonzalez pounds Chango Carmona to win title: "Rodolfo Gonzalez, a 3-1 underdog from Long Beach, Calif. hammered Chango Carmona of Mexico relentlessly last night and captured the WBC lightweight championship when his beaten foe was unable to answer the bell for the 13th round. Gonzalez took the offensive immediately with both left and right uppercuts early in the fight and a left to the head shook Carmona early in the 2nd round. Gonzalez consistently beat Carmona to the punch and slammed home left and right combinations repeatedly throughout the battle. There were no knockdowns, but the 28 year old Carmona bled from the mouth from the 2nd round on, and his face was battered and puffy midway in the fight and there were cuts near his eyes by the 12th. The fight proved so one-sided for the new champ that the cards of judges George Latka and Larry Rozadilla read 12-0 and 10-0 respectively. Referee John Thomas scored it 10-1." - Associated Press Unofficial scorecards through 12 completed rounds (all for Gonzalez) AP - 10-1 UPI - 12-0 Long Beach Press-Telegram - 14-0 Boxing Illustrated - 14-1 Chango Carmona's official challenger and #1 contender, Pedro Carrasco of Spain, turned down the Olympic Boxing Club's $15,000 guarantee and the offer then went to Rodolfo Gonzalez who earned $10,000 for the title challenge while Carmona earned $30,000.
Great quote: ""Duran never could beat Gonzalez fighting like he did tonight. Gonzalez would ruin Duran." -Harry Kabakoff, Navarro's manager, after watching both Duran and Gonzalez on the same card. 1973-03-17 : Rodolfo Gonzalez 135 lbs beat Ruben Navarro 133½ lbs by TKO at 2:33 in round 9 of 15 Location: Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California, USA Referee: George Latka "In the first two rounds Ruben peppered the jab but Gonzalez casually slipped the weapon with bob and weave tactics and then rocked Navarro back on his heels with jolting left hook counters. By the 3rd round Gonzalez was beginning to catch the challenger on the ropes with solid combinations, which immediately caused an ugly mouse to form beneath his right eye. Aggressive but never awkward, Gonzalez managed to connect constantly with punches ranging from hooks to right uppercuts, while Ruben could land nothing in return. At last conceding that the jab was not the proper strategy, Navarro, 133, decided to try and club his foe in close. That wasn't the answer either. Strong as an ox, Rodolfo, 135, out-muscled Navarro with few difficulties and seemed almost bored in the process. But, although his eye was closed and his lips were caked with blood, the scrappy Navarro refused to give up until Referee George Latka took matters into his own hands at 2:33 of the 9th round." -International Boxing, August 1973 issue Navarro was signed to fight Gonzalez for the title on February 15th due to Gonzalez' original opponent on this card - Spain's Pedro Carrasco - abruptly retiring. Navarro was originally scheduled to fight Chango Carmona on the undercard. Scorecards through 8 completed rounds (all for Gonzalez) Referee George Latka - 7-0 Judge Rudy Jordan - 5-2 Judge Richard Steele - 7-1 Unofficial Long Beach Press-Telegram - 7-1 Gonzalez Post fight comments "I worked my ass off for this fight, but I just couldn't do anything. I don't know what the hell went wrong. He didn't hurt me but he humiliated me. He's 1000 percent improved since he won the title and I don't see anyone beating him for a few years." -Ruben Navarro "I felt I was on top all the way. Actually I was pacing myself for the full route, but as it turned out, I got to go home early." -Rodolfo Gonzalez "Duran never could beat Gonzalez fighting like he did tonight. Gonzalez would ruin Duran." -Harry Kabakoff, Navarro's manager, after watching both Duran and Gonzalez on the same card.
I looked up this Gato's record and he turned pro at 13 yrs. 11 months old in 1959!! I know they start early in Mexico but damn. He was done by age 29 after losing to Guts twice.
Was just watching this last night, but none of the copies available on YouTube have the ending. Gato was getting outclassed until he caught Ganigan rushing in with a couple nice short punches in the sixth.
