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About The Latin American International Sports Hall of Fame

In the United States, there are Sports Halls of Fame that honor professional and amateur athletes in football, basketball, track, tennis, baseball and other sports. There are also ethnic halls of fame that recognize outstanding athletes from different groups including Italian, Jewish, Irish and blacks to name a few. But, there was not a single sports hall of fame that would recognize, honor and salute the outstanding accomplishments/achievements and contributions of our Latino/Hispanic Sports Heritage not only from the United States but also those who came to this country from Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Central and South America and from the vast talent from the Caribbean Islands. The Latin-American International Sports Hall of Fame/Salon de Ia Fama Latinoamericano del Deporte was organized in Laredo, Texas in 1974. At first it was to celebrate, honor and promote local and regional individuals who had excelled at their particular sport but soon it opened the doors to include National and International Professional Athletes. It also recognizes as Sportsman of the Year individuals who continue to preserve and enhance our Latino culture, values and educational opportunities for our youth and who contribute to the betterment of the City of Laredo and South Texas. There have been since its inception an equal recognition of women athletes inductees. It was important to find role models for our youth and the organizers wanted to include all ages, regardless of sex in their programs. The Latin Hall was also created to promote economic development and stimulate business activity in downtown Laredo when local businesses are contracted to provide services to our inductees, their families and guests who visit Laredo during the annual 3-day welcome reception, media luncheon and induction banquet celebration weekend. Through the years. (1975-2014), and with limited amount of funds the organization has, had the opportunity to help the youth of our community with scholarships and other youth activity fundraisers. Plans are to have a Latin Sports International Hall of Fame Museum (downtown) (soon) which will be a first for the United States and to provide clinics (free of charge) to instruct our youth in different sports.

Mission

The Latin American International Sports Hall of Fame was founded in 1975 to recognize individuals with good and proper standing in the community, high morals and values and who have excelled in sports and/or have contributed to the promotion of sports and goodwill in the Latino community.


Latin American International Sports Hall of Fame

47th Annual Induction Banquet

Dr. Manuel Gonzalez

Twelve rounds of drama, unrelenting beating, and roaring crowds is the sport of boxing. Ending in blood, sweat and often tears- Dr. Manuel Gonzalez sees it all.

More than just a spectator, Gonzalez, a native Laredoan, joins his love for the sport and his love for medicine and serves as a ring physician for both amateur and professional boxing. It was Gonzales who treated Marcos Maidana’s wounds after he lifted the WBA welterweight world title from his opponent, Adrien Broner under the bright lights of the Alamodome in San Antonio this past December 2013.

Dr. Manuel Gonzalez is native to Laredo, and graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy and the University of Texas in Austin. He completed medical school at the University of Monterrey in Monterrey Mexico and trained in General Surgery at the University of Toronto in Toronto, Canada. He completed a fellowship in Vascular Surgery in Portland, Oregon and is Board Certified in General and Vascular Surgery. Dr. Gonzalez opened his private practice in Laredo in 1980 and continues to serve his community today as a surgeon.

However, what many do not know about Gonzalez is that he travels and treats the likes of Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao, ensuring the sport and the star boxers live to see another day. For Dr. Gonzalez, being a ringside physician is a dream come true given he has always been involved in combative sports, especially boxing. Since returning to Laredo, he has supported amateur and professional boxing and his passion for the sport has led to his current role as a ring physician for both amateur and pro fights.

He is a member of the medical advisory committee for the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation of Combative Sports. Dr. Gonzalez is involved in local, state, and national boxing and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fights; and, he has been involved in major world title champion fights, including those involving local champions, the Canizales brothers.

His resume reads like a Who’s Who in American boxing. Throughout his tenure he has served as the primary ring physician for major championship fights televised on NBC sports, ESPN, FOX Deportes, Azteca, Showtime, and HBO Sports. Some of the championship fights include Juan Manuel Marquez, Juan Diaz, Antonio Margarito, and Manny Pacquiao.

His most recent fight was in San Antonio on December 14 for Showtime, between Adrien Broner and Marcos Maidana.But with so many accolades under his belt, it is his own personal fight that is the most impressive. Gonzalez opened doors for physicians everywhere interested in the field of boxing. He pioneered the initial regulating and licensing of Texas Ring physicians. His license number reads #1.