Remembering a champion - Julio Gonzalez

He turned pro in 1997 after representing Mexico in the 1996 Olympics. He would go undefeated in his first 27 bouts. Included in this was a classic, back-and-forth (ESPN Fight of the Year) slug-fest with Julian Letterlough (RIP) in what can easily be included in any ‘classic fights’ list.

In 2001, he would face legend Roy Jones Jr., for the light heavyweight title at Staples Centre in Los Angeles. While he didn’t win, he went the distance with the (then seemingly) untouchable Jones. Gonzalez garnered the respect of Jones, and every fan who saw the fight.

Gonzalez was 6’ 2” but didn’t fight like a tall guy, he fought like a brawler. He loved to get in your grill and let the leather fly. An iron chin and a tenacious work rate were his greatest skills.

After the Jones fight, he would rack up 7 more wins, including beating world champion Glen Johnson, taking him into the fall of 2003. In October he travelled to Germany to face champion Darius Michalczewski for the WBO light heavyweight title.

He beat him in a SD 12.

The California-residing, Mexico-born brawler could now say he was amongst the very best – he was a world champion and the first ever Mexican to win the 175-pound title.  

He lost the title 3 months later back in Germany to Zsolt Erdel but he put together 3 more wins that year, including beating world champion Montell Griffin, and earned a title shot against Clinton Woods for the IBF light heavyweight title. He would come up short both times he fought Woods but gave a great and gutsy account of himself in each fight.

Over the next few years, he would close out his career going 2-2 including bouts with champions Reggie Johnson and Tavoris Cloud.

Gonzalez had his last fight in 2011. Sadly, a year later, he was killed in his native Mexico after being hit by a drunk driver.

In his 14-year career, Gonzalez faced 7 world champions and had an excellent ledger of 49 fights, with 41 wins and 25 knockouts. As nice a guy out of the ring as he was ferocious in it. As tough and talented a warrior as you’ll ever hope to see. He was the consummate pro who would fight anyone, anytime. He gave the same effort each time out – everything he had.

This month marks 12 years since his last fight. But, anyone who had the pleasure of seeing Gonzalez fight will certainly remember him.

He deserves to be remembered; he (more than) earned that.

Julio - we haven’t forgotten the thrills you gave us in the ring and more importantly we haven’t forgotten you.

After his passing, the Julio Gonzalez Memorial Foundation was started in his memory.

2 children survived Julio.

Recently, former publicist and friend Rachel Charles, who always had nothing but great things to say about her friend, remembered him fondly.

“Who is chopping onions?”, she joked in reference to her tearing up in remembering him. “Big kiss towards heaven for Julio”, she said.

Gone but not forgotten Champ. Rest in peace.