Paul Gonzales won the light-flyweight gold medal at the 1984 Olympics, after having won the 1983 US light-flyweight title (amateur). At Los Angeles, Gonzales was awarded the Val Barker Trophy of the outstanding boxer at the Games. Gonzales turned professional in 1985 and fought through 1991, recording a pro record of 16-4. He won the NABF flyweight title in 1986, the WBA Continental Americas and WBA Intercontinental bantamweight titles in 1989, but lost a bout to Orlando Canizales in 1990 for the IBF World bantamweight title.
Gonzales later tried to enter politics but failed to win office. He then worked as a car salesman and boxing coach and recreation supervisor for the LA County Department of Parks and Recreation in East Los Angeles. in 2017 Gonzales worked as a coach at an East Los Angeles boxing club that was part of the City of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Department. He was later indicted on two charges of lewd conduct with minors during that time, and in 2021, plead no contest to the charges and was sentenced to three years and four months in state prison and ordered to register as a sex offender for life.
United States