Big Time Beckons Gonzalez, After Bout for Mexican Title

Like most boxing managers, Norm Kaplan loves to boast. So when he was asked whether his undefeated light heavyweight, Julio Gonzalez, was ready for the big time, Kaplan didn’t hesitate to answer in the affirmative.

“He dominated a pretty good fighter, John Ruiz, in his last fight,” said Kaplan, a Los Angeles attorney. “I think he’s shown he’s ready to start taking on the top 10 fighters in his division.”

Check that. What Kaplan meant to say is that Gonzalez, a 23-year-old Edison High graduate, is prepared to fight nine of the top 10 light heavyweights in the world.

“He’s not ready for the likes of Roy Jones,” Kaplan said. “I think we all know that.”

But Kaplan is convinced that Gonzalez will be ready for Jacobo Garcia (12-6, seven knockouts), his opponent tonight in the 12-round main event at the Arrowhead Pond. The winner will claim the Mexican light heavyweight title.

It’s not a world title or even a North American title, but it’s important to Gonzalez, a native of Guerrero Negro, Mexico.

“I want to be the Mexican champion,” Gonzalez said. “I told my manager to get me this fight. I think this fight will get me into the top 15 in the world rankings.”

Kaplan realizes that Mexico is not known for its light heavyweights, so he is not too worried about Gonzalez suffering his first professional loss. Garcia is from Tijuana.

“There’s nobody in Mexico that I’m afraid of,” Kaplan said. “This is more for self-esteem and pride than anything else.”

Gonzalez doesn’t seem too concerned either. He said he hasn’t seen any tapes of Garcia’s fights.

“I learn about my opponents in the ring,” he said.

Apparently, he’s a fast learner. In his 22 fights, Gonzalez has scored 13 knockouts and he has never been in serious trouble. Gonzalez’s last loss came in the 1996 Olympics. Representing Mexico, Gonzalez was beaten by eventual gold medalist and current IBF cruiserweight champion, Vassiliy Jirov of Kazakhstan, in the opening round.

Since turning professional in April 1997, Gonzalez has gained a reputation for his entertaining style. At 6 feet 2, he has a distinct reach advantage over many of his opponents. But in almost all of his bouts, Gonzalez prefers to attack from the inside.

“Body shots and uppercuts are my main punches,” he said. “I start out thinking I’m going to box. But when I get in there, I get a big rush and I want to let it all out.”

As for building up to a match against Jones, who is considered by many to be the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world, well, that’s a long way off.

“I think I want a shot at him,” Gonzalez said. “I still have a lot to learn, but I’d love to test myself against him. He’s one of the greatest fighters of all time.”

Notes

The five-bout undercard, which begins at 7:30, will feature a six-round lightweight bout between Antonio De Santiago (9-2-1, one knockout) of El Monte and Nabuto Honmo (13-4, five KOs) of Japan. Tickets start at $15 and go up to $110 for ringside.