By Nicholas Ayres-Wearne: Jhonny Gonzalez at last got the big win of his career, in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan, WBC featherweight champion Hozumi Hasagawa put his title on the line against the Mexico City veteran and in a upset was KO’d in the 4rd round with beautiful picture perfect right hand.
Gonzalez has seemed to be one of those boxers that even though being at the elite level could never get that big win to cement his place a the top of the division he was competing in.
After Gonzalez beat Fernando Montiel in still his most notable win to date, he was matched against the great Israel Vasquez in which over the majority of rounds he dominated his Mexican compatriot dropping him on multiple occasions and seemed destined to emerge from the fight a star, that was until Vazquez started to find his range and Gonzalez’s not all reliable chin and body connecting with vicious hooks to the head and body stopping the Mexico City native in the BWAA fight of the year.
Then in a follow up fight he lost by KO to Gerry Penalosa where Penalosa again exploited Gonzalez’s body stopping him in 7 rounds in fight where Gonzalez was the heavy betting favorite.
In his next notable fight against Toshiaki Nishioka a tough Japanese veteran who’s main claim to fame was having fought Thai great Veerphol Sahaprom 4 times in his career losing twice and holding the Thai to two draws.
Going into that fight with a new trainer the Legendary Nacho Beristain, Gonzalez looked like he was boxing more keeping is guard high and looking like he had easily adopted the Mexican guru’s trade mark stance and unique style that all fighters from the Romanza Gym exhibit.
Being seemingly in control of the fight knocking the Japanese veteran down in the first round and easily out boxing him it looked like Gonzalez was about to gain a impressive scalp that was until the crafty Japanese southpaw landed a beautiful straight left that left Gonzalez spread eagle across the canvas and ropes knocking him out in the 3rd round. After this lose Gonzalez has made an impressive comeback reeling of 8 stoppage wins with the notable opponents being Jackson Askiu and Hozumi Hasegawa.
Hasagawa who all but ended Thai great Veeraphol Sahaprom career with a scintillating 12 round slug fest victory and in there rematch KO’d the Thai in 7 rounds.
Hasagawa had a impressive run at bantamweight until he was KO’d by Montiel but Hasegawa rebounded straight away moving up to featherweight and beating the tough and credible Juan Carlos Burgos and proving that he could be a player in the featherweight division.
Gonzalez at last has another signature win to go along with his close victory of Montiel, it’s a given that Hasegawa isn’t the bantamweight version before his KO lose to Montiel but he is still a elite level fighter with power who has proven himself against tough world class opposition exactly the kind of opponent in the past Gonzalez almost always came up short against notably against Gerry Penalosa, Nishioka and Israel Vasquez.
Gonzalez know has a chance at some big match-ups at featherweight with the obvious two being Lopez and Gamboa.
A Lopez-Gonzalez match-up could be a compelling fight, Gonzalez has a weak chin but seems to be boxing more behind his jab and his defense and conditioning both look to have improved.
If a badly faded and battle scared Rafael Marquez can hurt Juanma, Gonzalez has the height, reach and punching power to potentially cause Juanma some problems.
Another intriguing match-up would be Gonzalez vs Daniel Ponce De Leon, pitting two would class veteran Mexican fighters against one an other with the winner getting a deserved big pay with either of the divisions top dogs.
Gonzalez has already made it know he would like to fight Rafael Marquez in what could be a last stand for the younger Marquez brother who is clearly past is prime and very close to retirement.
Gonzalez has rebuilt himself to be a true contender in already deep featherweight division, only time will tell how far he can go but if there’s one thing with we should take away from his upset KO victory over Hasegawa is don’t underestimate Gonzalez.