He didn’t train and never developed defense for overhand rights. That **** won’t cut it in the pros. It’s a shame because he could’ve been a competitive addition to the 90s.
How much money did steve wynn lose on the guy? That was the end of exclusive big contracts with the casinos.
Wasnt Gonzalez somehow being promoted or managed by a vegas casino group who put him up in a penthouse where he proceeded to party and over use room service? Anyway its unfortunate Gonzalez didnt develop into anything other than a fringe contender type as he had that personality that made people want to watch him get beaten (kind of like Floyd was to some people) and could of been a draw or been able to hype up other heavyweight fights. He got a rude awakening when he took a giant step up in competition from what he was fighting when he fougt Bowe and Bowe beat him mercilessly. Then Tim Witherspoon played target practice on Gonzalez's head with his overhand right and was stopped badly again. I agree with the other posters though, his unnecessary and prolonged beating of an aging but game Snipes made me feel no remorse towards Gonzalez when Bowe and Witherspoon were giving him a lesson. Also side note, its weird seeing those high socks on Snipes in the Gonzalez fight that fighters used to wear in the 70s. It looked jarringly out of place in the early mid 90s
I don't think his skills were made for professional and his stamina was not either. This is a case to a deeper degree like Breland where the amateur skills are not as beneficial as a professional.
Gonzalez was a great amatuer, but he was not brought along correctly as a pro. He fought a bunch of nobodies, and basically trained himself. I think his biggest win before fighting Bowe was a faded Renaldo Snipes. He tried to intimidate Bowe, but Bowe gave him the worst beating Ive ever seen in professional boxing. He never recovered from it.
Great post.i always felt he was older than his stated age Gonzalez had that strutting peacock attitude of a zlatan ibrahimovic without the dedication and skills
Starling definitely had Breland’s number. Nice man too, was happy to take a picture with my son at the IBHOF.
One of my favourite performances too. Gonzalez was such an arsehole I was delighted when he got the beating his mouth deserved.
