Jorge Luis Gonzalez(big Cuban heavyweight)

[Brutu]

There was one point around 1993-1994,that I thought for sure that this 6 ft 7 inch fighter was going to be the next heavyweight champion.
Even if it was from seeing him knock out some schlubs on the USA network and ESPN.
Check out this bout from 1993.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQY1dk5ySlo

[dempseyfire]

Gonzales had probably the worst defense I've ever seen for someone who had vast amateur experience. Bowe and Witherspoon could not miss his head with looping overhand rights all night.

[JC]

Amazing to think he beat Bowe and Lewis in the space of 24 hours in the amateurs.

Didn't he decide to train himself or something when he went pro? A bit like Solis he'd already had a lifetimes worth of fights by the time he turned pro and had probably lost the fire long ago.

[Brutu]

Here is some info on his life and career.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jorge_Luis_Gonzalez

[Brutu]

Here is Gonzalez vs Lennox Lewis at the Pan American Games.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1wg8BCgDmE

[NazNaci1]

As J-C said, I think his fighting fire was extinguished, a fair while before turning pro.

He had alot of amatuer fights and was the best, to get his motivation up again, at his age, in a foreign country, was obviously too much.

He was at a stage where he just did not believe it was worthwhile to listen.

[Brutu]

Gonzalez had knocked down Reddick Bowe 3 or 4 times in their bout before he fought Lewis in the 1987 Pan-American games.
I almost did not recognize Gonzales when I saw the amatuer footage from 1987.(if it wasnt for the arrogant goofy expression on his face)

[crusader]

interesting hair cut........

[Brutu]

interesting hair cut........

I remember when he fought on tv around 1991-1992.
His hair(or lack of)looked like Homey D. Clown's.
I wonder what inspired that later 'do?
and if any of his seconds sported the same do'?
If at least one did not,then u know even his team thought it was just too dang goofy of a hair style(but didnt have the nerve
to tell Jorge Luis Gonzalez himself).

[Ambling Alp]

It is also worth noting that Gonzalez is 3 years older than Bowe. At that age in the amatuers that can be important. Gonzales was closer to as good as he was ever going to be.

[Brutu]

According to the wikipedia page.The DOB of Gonzales is disputed?
Was he actually older then listed when he turned pro in 1991?
That would explain why he seemed to have gotten older overnight in 1995.
He didnt seem to have the same bounce in his legs or put as much leverage in his punches
when and after he fought Bowe compared to 1993.