Alejandro Gonzalez Jr., a onetime 122-pound title challenger, was found dead early Friday morning near his home of Colonia González Gallo in Guadalajara, Mexico, the victim of an apparent murder. He was 23.
According to published reports, Alejandro Gonzalez Jr. and two companions were killed execution-style and found inside of a Jeep. There are no other details regarding the killings, and no known motive.
Born in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico, Gonzalez was the son of former 126-pound world champion Alejandro Gonzalez Sr. and carried his father’s nickname, “Cobrita.”
“Everyone at Premier Boxing Champions is profoundly saddened by the death of Alejandro Gonzalez Jr. He was a fantastic boxer with a bright future,” said Tim Smith, Vice President of Communications for PBC. “It is a tragic loss for the boxing community. We offer our deepest condolences to his family and pray for them as they cope with the loss of their beloved ‘Cobrita.’”
Gonzalez Jr. made his professional debut in Guadalajara on March 19, 2010, just 11 days after his 17th birthday, and fought to a four-round draw. Through his first 24 fights, Gonzalez went 22-0-2 with 14 knockouts.
He suffered his first defeat to Juan Alberto Rosas in April 2014, dropping a nine-round technical decision. Gonzalez rallied to win his next three contests to set up his first world title fight against then-reigning 122-pound champion Carl Frampton on July 18, 2015, in El Paso, Texas.
In what was just his second fight outside of his native Mexico, Gonzalez came out and dropped Frampton twice in the opening round of a Premier Boxing Champions main event. However, Frampton—a Northern Irishman who was making his North American debut—rallied to win a wide unanimous decision, with Gonzalez getting docked two points for low blows.
Four months after the setback to Frampton, Gonzalez returned to the U.S. and lost a close unanimous decision to former 112-pound title challenger Karim Guerfi in Austin, Texas.
After a nearly yearlong hiatus, Gonzalez jumped back in the ring on October 29 in Guadalajara, where he fought Hector Esnar Bobadilla to a 12-round draw in what would be his final fight. He finished his career 25-3-3 with 15 knockouts.
Frampton, who is now a 126-pound champion, was among those who took to Twitter to mourn Gonzalez’s death: “Just hearing the tragic news about Alejandro Gonzalez Jr. One of the nicest guys I’ve shared a ring with. RIP Champ.”
Alejandro Gonzalez Jr., left, and Carl Frampton congratulate each other after their 122-pound title fight in July 2015. Gonzalez scored two first-round knockdowns, but dropped a unanimous decision. (Lucas Noonan/Premier Boxing Champions)
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