Jorge Luis González

Jorge Luis González
Jorge Luis González (right) versus Austrian Biko Botowamungu in Halle, 1987
Born
Jorge Luis González

(1964-10-19) October 19, 1964 (age 60)
NationalityCuba Cuban
Statistics
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Height6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Reach82 in (210 cm)[1]
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights39
Wins31
Wins by KO27
Losses8
Draws0
No contests0
Medal record
Men's amateur boxing
Representing  Cuba
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place 1983 Caracas Super Heavyweight
Gold medal – first place 1987 Indianapolis Super Heavyweight
Central American and Caribbean Games
Gold medal – first place 1986 Santiago Super Heavyweight
North American Championships
Gold medal – first place 1982 Las Vegas Super Heavyweight
Silver medal – second place 1987 Toronto Super Heavyweight

Jorge Luis González (born October 19, 1964) (DOB disputed) is a former heavyweight boxing contender and prospect born in Havana, Cuba. He won the gold medal at the 1983 Pan American Games and the 1987 Pan American Games and the former WBO Latino Heavyweight Champion. On June 17, 1995, the big puncher González became the first Cuban boxer to challenge for a heavyweight world title when he fought WBO champion Riddick Bowe at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Amateur

González compiled an Amateur Record of 220–13. His highlights include:

  • Super Heavyweight Gold Medalist at the 1983 Pan-American Games in Caracas, Venezuela.
  • Super Heavyweight Gold Medalist at the 1987 Pan-American Games in Indianapolis, United States. His results were:
  • Lost to Lennox Lewis at the 1987 North American Championships in Toronto, Canada, by decision.

After an outstanding amateur career in Cuba, where he defeated the likes of Teofilo Stevenson, Tyrell Biggs, and Craig Payne, he defected during a Cuban Team event in Finland, in 1991.

Pro

He reached the US and turned professional in Miami in June 1991. His progress as a professional was severely hindered by González's refusal to co-operate with trainers or training, feeling as a top Cuban amateur there was nothing he could be taught. He went through several different trainers during his first few years as a pro.

At 6'7, he towered over his opposition, and the majority of his fights featured the huge Gonzalez crudely clubbing his victims to defeat. Although he was criticised for not fighting anyone of note, at the time he was a genuinely feared contender and top-class opponents were reticent to fight him.

His most notable results in accumulating a 23-0 (22 KO's) record were his 10-round beating and TKO of the faded but still very game and tough Renaldo Snipes, a first-round KO of a faded Phil Brown, and a one punch, two-round KO of Mike Evans, a tough fringe contender that nobody had been able to stop in ten years.

In June 1995, after a heated build up, he fought hated arch rival Riddick Bowe in Las Vegas, for the WBO Heavyweight championship. Bowe exposed González for his limitations and lack of development, savagely pounding the Cuban before knocking him clean out in the 6th round.

In 1996 González returned, seemingly out of shape, for a high-profile fight with ex-champ Tim Witherspoon in New York. Gonzalez blew his chance of redemption, as Witherspoon used his superior skills and big power to take González apart, decking him twice and knocking him out in five rounds, issuing an even more complete defeat than Bowe had done.

Later that year González quit midway through a fight with trial horse Ross Puritty, ending his term as a contender.

In 1997 hot prospect and equally giant Michael Grant blew him away in one round, although in 1999 a new and improved González resurfaced, in-shape and more polished, bombing out Alex Stewart in two rounds and outpointing ex-champ Greg Page over ten.

A Mike Tyson fight failed to materialise as Tyson-lookalike Cliff Couser demolished the Cuban in three rounds in 2000. In 2001 González lost to Joe Mesi in four, and his career was effectively dead in 2002 when last minute sub Derek Bryant walked over him in one round.

His only title was the WBO Latino Heavyweight title in which he defeated Daniel Eduardo Neto by Points decision.

Professional boxing record

39 fights 31 wins 8 losses
By knockout 27 7
By decision 4 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
39 Loss 31–8 United States Derek Bryant TKO 1 (10), 2:33 18 Jan 2002 United States Paris Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada
38 Loss 31–7 United States Joe Mesi TKO 4 (10), 1:33 27 Apr 2001 United States Niagara Falls Civic Center, Niagara Falls, New York
37 Loss 31–6 United States Cliff Couser TKO 3 (10), 2:52 5 Aug 2000 United States Silver Star Casino, Philadelphia, Mississippi
36 Win 31-5 United States Bradley Rone UD 8 3 Jun 2000 United States MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
35 Win 30-5 United States Greg Page UD 10 14 Nov 1999 United States Rose Garden Arena, Portland, Oregon
34 Win 29–5 United States Tommy Martin TKO 9 (10), 1:21 25 Jul 1999 United States Harrah's, Kansas City, Missouri
33 Win 28-5 Jamaica Alex Stewart TKO 2 (10), 2:38 6 Jun 1999 United States New Frontier Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
32 Win 27-5 Puerto Rico Rodolfo Marin TKO 4 (10), 2:02 18 Apr 1999 United States Miccosukee Casino, Miami, Florida
31 Win 26-5 United States Josh Gormley TKO 10 (10), 2:58 7 Nov 1998 United States Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota
30 Loss 25–5 Tonga Paea Wolfgramm MD 8 15 Aug 1998 United States El Paso County Coliseum, El Paso, Texas
29 Loss 25–4 United States Michael Grant TKO 1 (12), 2:00 7 Nov 1997 United States Bally's Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada For IBC World Heavyweight Title
28 Win 25–3 Argentina Daniel Eduardo Neto PTS 12 19 Apr 1997 Puerto Rico Convention Center, Condado, Puerto Rico Won vacant WBO Latino Heavyweight Title
27 Loss 24–3 United States Ross Puritty TKO 7 (10), 2:48 5 Dec 1996 United States Brady Theater, Tulsa, Oklahoma
26 Loss 24–2 United States Tim Witherspoon TKO 5 (10), 2:54 10 May 1996 United States Madison Square Garden, New York City
25 Win 24–1 United States Jason Waller TKO 4 (10), 2:07 30 Sep 1995 United States The Aladdin, Las Vegas, Nevada
24 Loss 23–1 United States Riddick Bowe KO 6 (12), 1:50 17 Jun 1995 United States MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada For WBO World Heavyweight Title
23 Win 23–0 United States Brian Scott TKO 2 (10), 2:34 11 Mar 1995 United States MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
22 Win 22–0 Samoa Tui Toia TKO 2 (10), 1:01 18 Nov 1994 United States MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
21 Win 21–0 United States Olian Alexander RTD 7 (10), 3:00 5 Nov 1994 United States MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
20 Win 20–0 United States Calvin Jones TKO 4 (10), 1:50 31 Aug 1994 United States MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
19 Win 19–0 United States Mike Ronay Evans KO 2 (10), 2:48 25 Jun 1994 United States MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
18 Win 18–0 United States Mike Rouse KO 1 (10), 2:48 25 Feb 1994 United States Deauville Beach Resort, Miami Beach, Florida
17 Win 17–0 United States Renaldo Snipes TKO 10 (10), 2:15 6 Nov 1993 United States Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada
16 Win 16–0 United States Kimmuel Odum KO 2 (10), 2:15 17 Aug 1993 United States Casino Magic, Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi
15 Win 15–0 United States Dwayne Hall TKO 1 (8), 2:22 22 May 1993 United States RFK Stadium, Washington, District of Columbia
14 Win 14–0 United States Mike White TKO 4 (10), 2:21 13 Mar 1993 United States Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas, Nevada
13 Win 13–0 United States Larry Davis TKO 2 (8), 2:02 26 Dec 1992 United States Sahara Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada
12 Win 12–0 United States Philipp Brown KO 1 (8), 2:51 6 Oct 1992 United States Mahi Shrine Temple, Miami Beach, Florida
11 Win 11–0 United States Mike Acey TKO 1 (10), 2:17 26 Sep 1992 United States Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida
10 Win 10–0 United States Michael Greer RTD 2 (6), 3:00 19 Jun 1992 United States Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada
9 Win 9–0 United States David Graves PTS 8 21 May 1992 United States Bally's Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada
8 Win 8–0 United States Tyrone Armstrong KO 2 (6), 2:53 18 Apr 1992 United States Las Vegas, Nevada
7 Win 7–0 United States Mike Gans TKO 5 (6), 0:57 15 Mar 1992 United States Bally's Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada
6 Win 6–0 United States Benji Smith TKO 1 (6), 0:15 13 Dec 1991 United States Sun Dome, Tampa, Florida
5 Win 5–0 United States Mark George TKO 2 (6) 23 Nov 1991 United States The Omni, Atlanta, Georgia
4 Win 4–0 United States Sam Adkins KO 2 (6) 6 Sep 1991 United States Miami Beach, Florida
3 Win 3–0 United States Larry Fortner TKO 1 (4) 30 Jul 1991 United States Miami Beach, Florida
2 Win 2–0 Panama Adolfo Morell TKO 2 (4) 10 Jul 1991 Puerto Rico San Juan, Puerto Rico
1 Win 1–0 United States William Campudani TKO 3 (4) 21 Jun 1991 United States Tamiami Fairgrounds Auditorium, Miami, Florida Professional debut

References