[2] Gonzales began boxing at 19 as a U.S. National Team member and went to have an amateur record of 56–7.

He won the 2004 Golden Gloves, was a Finalist at the 2005 U.S. National Championships and was ranked as America's No.

[7] He maintained an unblemished streak of 17 wins until his bout with Thomas Oosthuizen that resulted in a draw.

[8] On October 28, 2011, he defeated Ossie Duran in the Main Event on Showtime's ShoBox at Bally's in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

[8] He suffered his first loss to James DeGale at Wembley Stadium on 31 May 2014 in an IBF final eliminator.