Top Rank signs prospect Orlando Gonzalez
Top Rank Boxing on Tuesday announced the signing of undefeated Puerto Rican featherweight prospect Orlando “Zurdo de Oro” Gonzalez to a multi-year promotional agreement. The signing today coincides with his 24th birthday.
From Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, Gonzalez is 12-0 with eight knockouts, most recently scoring a six-round unanimous decision August 2nd over fight veteran Aldimar Silva in Kissimmee, Florida.
He is the older cousin of unbeaten super featherweight prospect and fellow Top Rank signee Henry “Moncho” Lebron.
It's official AND it's his birthday. A big welcome to Top Rank to Featherweight @ZurdoDeOroPR, and happy birthday! ✍️??? pic.twitter.com/E38caDIdBy
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) August 20, 2019
“Signing with Top Rank represents the best opportunity for my career and to expose my talent to the world,” Gonzalez said to the media. “I have enough experience because I had 178 amateur fights. I achieved a lot during my time with the Puerto Rican national team, which prepared me to become a professional.
“In my last fights, I have had to implement a rigorous, strong, and high-pressure style. However, I am ready when I have to demonstrate my technical arsenal.
“Now, more than ever, fans can expect the best from me. Everything has been part of a plan, and thank God my time has come to shine on the biggest stages.”
Said Top Rank matchmaker Brad Goodman: “Orlando is a very well-schooled young fighter who we expect big things from in the coming years. Like Henry Lebron, we believe Orlando has everything it takes to become a world champion.”
A three-year pro, Gonzalez turned pro following a 162-16 amateur campaign that included a gold medal at the 2012 Pan American Youth Championships. Gonzalez is a versatile southpaw who made his most spectacular statement May 25 on the Jamel Herring-Masayuki Ito undercard, knocking out Roxberg Patrick Riley (13-1 at the time) in the third round.
I was at the Ito card and saw him open up the televised portion of the card. He is a great signing for Top Rank and an exciting prospect to watch. Check out the hook he throws in the first round of his contest against Riley below.
Marquis Johns is a unknown humorist and avid boxing fan. His love for the sweet science goes back to when matches were 15 rounds and has been covering fights since closed-circuit pay-per-views. Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth is not only a quote by Mike Tyson, it's also a pretty good reminder to keep your guard up.
