Paul Gonzales

Paul Gonzales

Personal information
Full name	Paul Garza Gonzales
Born	April 18, 1964 (age 51) Pecos, Texas, U.S.
Medal record Men's boxing Competitor for the  United States Olympic Games 1984 Los Angeles Light flyweight Pan American Games 1983 Caracas Light flyweight

Paul Garza Gonzales (born April 18, 1964 in Pecos, Texas) was a Mexican American boxer, who won the light flyweight gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics.^[1][2]

Amateur career

Gonzales was the winner of the Val Barker Trophy for Outstanding Boxer at those Games, after having won a silver medal the previous year at the 1983 Pan American Games.

Amateur highlights

• 1983 United States Amateur Light Flyweight Champion
• 1984 Olympic Light-Flyweight Gold Medalist at Los Angeles Games. Results were:
  • Defeated Kwang-Sun Kim (South Korea) 5-0
  • Defeated William Bagonza (Uganda) 5-0
  • Defeated John Lyon (Great Britain) 4-1
  • Defeated Marcelino Bolivar (Venezuela) 5-0
  • Defeated Salvatore Todisco (Italy) walk-over

Professional career

Gonzales began his professional career in 1985 and went on to challenge Bantamweight legend Orlando Canizales for the IBF Bantamweight title in 1990 in a rematch of a 1986 bout in which Gonzales won by unanimous decision. In the rematch, Gonzales was stopped by TKO in the 2nd due to cuts. After two more losses against lackluster competition, Gonzales hung up his gloves in 1991.

Paul tried to run for office, but was defeated. He was a car salesman and now works at Eddie Heredia Boxing Club in East L.A., where he works as a Recreation Supervisor for Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation.

References

1. "Mexicanos: A History of Mexicans in the United States", Manuel G. Gonzales. Page 299. Indiana University Press, 2000. ISBN 0-253-21400-9, ISBN 978-0-253-21400-3
2. OLYMPICS; A Promise, a Death and a Dream – New York Times

External links

• Professional boxing record for Paul Gonzales from BoxRec