I've
been remiss in not mentioning Julio Gonzalez, who passed away in Mexico last
weekend, a victim of a hit-and-run accident while riding his motorcycle. As I
landed back in Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon and turned my phone back on, I
received a text message notifying me of this tragic news.
I
think, as a boxer, he'll always be remembered for his classic battle against
Julian Letterlough in 2001 on “Friday Night Fights,” the first man to defeat
Dariusz Michalcweski and facing Roy Jones at the height of his powers at the
Staples Center. Gonzalez wasn't the most naturally gifted fighter but he got
everything out of his God-given ability. He was tough, rugged and hardnosed. He
was as honest a fighter as you could ask for. He never- ever- cheated the fans.
Beyond
that, what will stay with me is what a down-to-earth, humble individual Julio
Gonzalez was. He was nicer out of the ring than he was tough inside of it.
Throughout the years, you'd see him at local fight cards and if you didn't know
who he was, you would think he was just another guy who came to watch some
prizefighting. He was the type of guy you'd want watching your back in a dark
alley and the guy you'd want as your next door neighbor.
While
Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather might be the faces of boxing, guys like
Julio are its heartbeat and soul.
My
condolences to his friends and loved ones.
