JULIO GONZALEZ

BOXING HIGHLIGHTS | PROFILE BIO | SCOUTING REPORT

PROFILE BIO

Julio Cesar Gonzalez Ibarra was born on July 30, 1976 in Guerrero Negro, Baja California Sur, Mexico. At a young age Julio moved with his family to Fresno in Northern California. While in Fresno as a youngster Julio helped his brothers and parents to pick garlic to make ends. He would earn $1 for every bucket he filled, even then he had determination as he worked as hard as possible to fill up 100 buckets in a day. Shortly after arriving to Fresno, Julio and his family moved to La Habra in Southern California. At age 14, Julio picked up boxing at the local neighborhood gym - The La Habra Boxing Club. Soon after he started boxing for fun, gym owner and trainer Dave Martinez saw potential in Julio and encouraged him to begin an amateur career. He was 26-6 as an amateur.

In 1992 Julio moved again with his parents and 4 brothers to the city of Huntington Beach, California. Mainly to avoid drive by's and gun feuds between local neighborhood gangs that accrued near his La Habra home. After moving to the Orange County coast Julio joined the Edison High School wrestling team in Huntington Beach, and did well. Julio kept on with boxing and started training with Mack Kurihara at a local gym in Westminster CA, closer to his home in Huntington, but returned to La Habra Boxing Club as his main training facility where we spared and trained with Librado Andrade Ornelas, Enrique Ornelas, Alfanso Gomez and other contenders.

In 1995 as an amateur, Julio was runner up for the Golden Gloves Trophy. The next year Julio accomplished one his boxing dreams by being selected to the Mexican National Boxing team. He fought for and represented Mexico, in the 1996 - XXVI Olympic Games held in Atlanta, Georgia U.S. Julio he was eliminated in the 1st round of metal competition by would be future cruiser weight champion and gold medalist Vasili Jirov of Kazkhstan. Julio was also featured along with the rest of his Mexican boxing teammates in a Sports Illustrated Spanish Issue that same summer of 1996.

On April 7, 1997 Julio began his professional career by winning his first fight in a 4 round decision vs Alex Federov at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim now known as the Honda Center of Anaheim. Julio continued to win and put together an impressive winning streak compiling a 27-0 record before losing for the first time in almost 4 years to the legendry Roy Jones Jr. in a 12 round decision in July of 2001. During the 27 win streak, Julio captured the WBC Fecarbox Light Heavyweight Title, when he beat Jesús Ruiz by TKO in the 9th round. Julio also captured the WBO-NABO, and the IBA Continental Light Heavyweight Championship Title by beating Julian Letterlough in a 12 round thriller, which ended up being voted as ESPN’s fight of the year for 2001 and frequently airs on ESPN Classics Network as it’s considered one of the best fights ever of the decade.

In October of 2003, Julio made world boxing history by becoming the first Mexican boxer to win a major sanctioning world championship title in the 175lbs Light Heavyweight Division. To accomplish this feat Julio had to fly into Hamburg, Germany and face the previously unbeaten 48-0, 9 year reigning WBO Light Heavyweight Champion Dariusz Michalczewski, on the night where Dariuaz was supposed to tie Rocky Marcianos record of 49-0 and set the record for the longest reigning champion, Julio out boxed Michalczewski and won in 12 rounds by a split decision.

Julio’s toe to toe, never give up heart, and Mexican Aztec warrior fighting style made him a fan favorite to watch and cheer for throughout world and especially in the California. Julio has fought in places such as Japan, Germany, England, Mexico, and all over the U.S., Julio was always especially cheered on as hometown hero when fighting at such venues as the Honda Center in Anaheim, the Forum in Inglewood, CA., and the Staples Center in Los Angeles. He even had the legendary Dr. Jerry Buss owner of the Lakers on his feet at the end of fights when Julio would fight in his buildings as Dr. Jerry Buss was partners with Bob Arum’s Top Rank Series. Top Rank was Julio’s long time promoting company early in his career. Julio was considered one of the best, most exciting, & entertaining fighters in the world in his prime, as he was consistently ranked within the top 10 in all 4 major boxing associations in the Light Heavyweight Division. Julio finished his boxing career with an impressive 41-wins 8-loses and 25 knock outs and was never Knocked Out. A True Boxing Legend & Entertainer!

Julio is survived by son’s Julio Jr., & Anthony, wife Christine, brother’s Sergio, Jorge, Moises, Carlos Enrique, father Enrique Gonzalez and hundreds of other family members & friends. Including thousands of fans all over the world.

Rest In Peace... Julio Cesar Gonzalez Ibarra

JULIO GONZALEZ BOXING

BOXING HIGHLIGHTS | PROFILE BIO | SCOUTING REPORT

BOXING HIGHLIGHTS

In 1995 still as an amateur, Julio was runner up for the Golden Gloves Trophy and 1996 he would become a member of Mexican Olympic Boxing Team in Atlanta, Georgia. Julio lost in the 1st round of competition to Vasili Jirov of Kazakhstan who was the eventual gold medalist.
Julio’s pro debut was as a 19 year old, at the Honda Center in Anaheim in April of 1996. His career spanned for over 15 years and retired at the age of 34 in 2011. Durining his career he had a 27 fight winning streak, and he was a WBO-NABO Light Heavyweight Champion in 2001. An IBA Continental Light Heavyweight Champion also in 2001. A WBO World Light Heavyweight Champion in 2003 and a WBC FECARBOX Light Heavyweight Champion in May 5, 2000 vs Jesus Ruiz. He successfully defended his WBC Title twice for over a year until he lost it to Roy Jones Jr. in 2001 in a 12-round decision at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. That was Julio’s 1st career loss.

2 Years later after adding up another 7 wins in a row. Julio would battle Dariusz Michalczewski who was WBO champion for the last 9 years and had 48-0 at the time. Dariusz was also bidding for Rocky Marciano’s undefeated record. Julio went to Germany, won the fight by UD in 12rounds and took the WBO world title. Julio kept Marciano’s record intact, and became the 1st and still only Mexican Light Heavyweight Champion. Also making him the biggest, and heaviest weight division Mexican Champion in Boxing history. No Mexican over 175lbs has ever been Champion besides Julio to date.

Throughout his career Julio fought some great champions like, Glenco Johnson, Darius Michalczewski, Montell Griffin, Reggie Johnson, Clinton Woods, and the legendary Roy Jones Jr. Julio would fight in a total of 12 title elimination & championship bouts 5 which were for World Championship Titles. Julio was trained be David Martinez out of the La Habra Boxing Club & Mac Kawihara out of Westminster. He was promoted by Bob Arum’s Top Rank and later on by Dan Goosen’s GoossenTutor Promotions.