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.