Upcoming Torrevieja boxer's high hopes for nationals
Im the 16 months since Costa Blanca News last spoke with the upcoming young Torrevieja boxer Dean Gonzalez Furlong he has developed dramatically with a number of bouts in Spain and Ireland and progressed to the 64kg weight division.
17-year-old Dean had 11 bouts in 2019, eight of which were victories, including a silver medal in the highly respected Monkstown International Box Cup in Dublin.
Dean only suffered two defeats during the year, both of which his father and coach Luis Gonzalez Furlong attributes to ‘the lack of experience of Spanish refereeing’.
Most recently Dean has been in action in Portugal in the Open Boxe Marvila 2020 representing Valencia.
Here he stopped both of his Portuguese opponents in the first round to walk away with a prized gold medal in the 64kg division.
Not only this, but his efforts also helped the Valencian team win the best team award.
Dean is currently in a training camp with Juan Carlos Sánchez, the 52kg elite boxer from Elda.
The camp is in preparation for the Spanish club championships that are taking place in Los Alcázares from February 25 to March 1.
With this championship, Dean is looking to add to his three Valencian champion medals.
This could come about with what is a hotly anticipated rematch against the current Spanish ‘golden boy’ and three time national champion Rafael Acosta.
“If the draw is in my favour and the officials allow us to box, then I have every hope of coming back with the title,” said Dean whilst training at his father’s gym The Ring in Torrevieja earlier this week.
Following the training camp with Sánchez, who is also preparing for the Spanish team championships, Dean has a final bout in Castellón prior to the main event.
“These are just about the biggest bouts of my career and hopefully they will pave the way for the 2021 European championships,” said a buoyant Dean.
“All of the intense training over the last few years is paying off and I am now reaping the benefit.”
Father and trainer Luis said: “I am very happy with the way Dean has developed by moving up to the 64kg division. It is the most competitive weight with Acosta currently at the helm. Dean is focusing on the fight and, if he continues to follow the advice of his coaching team, he should win the fight and the championship.
“I am very proud of him as a father and wish him all the best.”
Outlaws M.C. Spain has donated funds towards the training camp and Dean is sponsored by Sport.in in Torrevieja.
“Team Gonzalez is extremely grateful to both organisations for having faith in us and hopefully Dean will turn this faith into great results,” said Luis.