“It’s been bothering me for about four years, but I’ll always get through the pain with mobility exercises and strength conditioning,” Gonzalez said. The Ring. “(My) last camp in 2025, I sparred with Nicaragua’s best prospect, missed a punch and felt my shoulder completely dislocate. I was in excruciating pain.
“I went to get it checked out in Costa Rica, and the shoulder specialist told me I had a serious injury dating back six or seven years but was using my second scapular muscle to compensate, so he felt surgery was imminent.”
Gonzalez (53-4, 42 KOs) was still fighting in Nicaragua last September as he tried to position himself for another world title opportunity, but said the injury worsened during the fight.
“Unfortunately, my shoulder blew out during the second round of the fight, and I had to go the remaining eight rounds with only one arm,” Gonzalez said. “In January, a team of shoulder doctors from Colombia, Nicaragua and the USA came to Nicaragua to perform an operation, attend to my injury and perform other procedures around my shoulder area.”
The Nicaraguan star said the recovery process was difficult, although he believes the surgery was necessary, whether he fights again or not.
“The doctors said it takes about two to three months for the muscle to reattach properly and about another three months to regain full mobility and strength,” he said. “I have a great team around me in physiotherapy and feel highly motivated.
“To be honest, regardless of whether I can ever fight again or not, I needed this surgery to have a normal, functional life after my boxing career.”
Gonzalez said he’s still constantly thinking about returning for one final run, though he hasn’t yet tested his full strength in practice.
“Only time and my body will tell the truth,” Gonzalez said. “As of now I’ve been feeling good and rehab is going well, although it’s very challenging and gruesome at times, but I still haven’t tested my brute strength or my signature left hook.
“I definitely want one more title shot before I hang up the gloves, but I’ll be in a prep fight before I get a title shot, so we’ll have to see. Until I see my body in a full-throttle workout, I can’t judge my future in the ring.”
“There is one thing I have to admit to myself and to my fans. There isn’t a second that goes by that I don’t miss the camp or the adrenaline just before wrapping my hands for a fight. I pray every day that I can fight at least one last time, and leave the glorious ring with one last victory.”
