Danny Gonzalez, who signed with Floyd Mayweather’s The Money team in 2016, was shot dead on Labor Day, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
The saddening news broke when there were rumors around the comeback of the sporting prodigy Danny Gonzalez.
The 22-year old boxer was hanging out in Moreno Valley in California on September 7, around 9 in the evening, when someone opened fire on the unarmed boxer.
There were also two teenagers alongside Danny, who were transported to a nearby hospital to treat their injuries. The injuries to the teenagers were not life-threatening, but unfortunately, Danny succumbed to his injuries on the scene.
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed the tragic news on Tuesday on Twitter. He wrote, “We are very sad to report the tragic death of boxer and top prospect, Danny Gonzalez.” He also offered his condolences to the family and prayed for Danny’s peace.
Danny’s boxing career
Danny is a nine-time national champion, who inked a contract with Floyd Mayweather‘s TMT Promotions when he was only 18 years old. At that time, Floyd has high-hopes about the prodigy and believed he had good potential.
He had also competed in Junior Olympics, the Junior Men’s world championships, and won several titles. Moreover, he had won two Silver Gloves and two Junior Golden Glove titles.
“There are certain times you know you have struck gold, and this is one of them,” Floyd said in 2016, according to a report by TMZ Sports.
Danny held an incredible amateur record of 96-13 and was called “a force to be reckoned with.” Unfortunately, he took only three professional fights and took a rest from fighting in 2017.
Earlier this year, Danny had posted on social media, suggesting that a comeback could be in works.
A tribute
Andy Vences, a boxer who said he had met Danny during an amateur tournament, expressed his grief on a recent Instagram Post and described him as a great kid with a huge heart. He shared how Danny fought the difficult times when he had to take a break from boxing.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CE4dHdnFyUT/
Mayweather also shared a photo of Danny and him, with writings on it that read: “RIP DANNY GONZALEZ” at the bottom. The caption wrote, “RIP Champ, gone but never forgotten.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CE48a_ilRMO/
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department said that deputies and paramedics had reported to the scene where Danny was pronounced dead. The cops are still investigating the crime, but there has been no development in the case till now.