Adan Gonzales, once homeless, knew boxing was his escape route

DENVER Co. -- At an early age, Adan Gonzales discovered he could do a lot of things that other kids were physically unable to do.

Born in Denver on March 18, 1997, Gonzales turned heads amongst his neighborhood peers appears when, at the age of six, he already knew how to breakdance.

Then he stumbled upon a place where his fancy moves could be utilized better.

Lo and behold...the boxing gym.

Gonzales has called it home for the past 17 years.

“I fell in love with boxing instantly,” Gonzales said. “I have always been athletic and competitive.”

But when Gonzales’ family struggled to pay the bills, they ended up on the streets. Then one afternoon as he listened to birds glistening along a stretch of I-70 in Denver, Gonzales had a breakthrough.

Gonzales decided right then and there that he was going to become a professional fighter.

“I wanted to have a better life and I knew I had what it took to chase my dream.”

Gonzales (5-2-2, 2 KO’s), 22, also learned very quickly that boxing can never be treated like a part-time job.

Gonzales lost in his pro debut, a controversial four-round majority decision at the hands of Abdur-Raheem Abdullah. However, his second loss in March 2017, in a rematch against Jose Gonzales, he admits, was entirely his fault.

"I had a lot of personal things going on,” he added. "That’s not an excuse though. Jose came to fight and I should have trained 100 times harder than I did. I learned my lesson that night and I haven’t lost since.”

Gonzales has won his last two bouts, one of which was an upset victory over dual Olympic gold medalist Robeisy Ramirez, who was making his professional debut last August.

“I showed the world how special I was that night,” Gonzales continued. “I have what it takes to be a world champion and to do that while representing my home state of Colorado, it means the world to me. I am chasing my dream now.”

However, Gonzales will again have to face Ramirez, who opted to exercise his contractual option to an immediate rematch.

Gonzales, the 2016 Rocky Mountain Region Prospect of the Year, has already busted up a number of sparring partners in preparation for the bout. In one instance, Gonzales’ white t-shirt was soaked in blood, which was not his. Meanwhile, his counterpart’s nose was leaking more than a broken faucet.

The sequel, according to sources, could take place on a Top Rank on ESPN card in the summer at an undetermined location in Florida.

Winning has never been more important to Gonzales, who is also the father to a young son.

“He is my world, and he works out with me at the gym. I am stepping it up. I want y’all to see how hard I am going for this camp,” he said. “I am going to prove again who is the best.”