Mexico’s Jhonny Gonzalez (57-9 48 KO) returns to the ring on Saturday night to face Japan’s Kazuki Hashimoto (11-4 7 KO) for the vacant WBC International super featherweight title from Morelia, Mexico.
This will be Gonzalez’s first fight since his TKO loss to Gary Russell Jr. in March. Against Russell Jr., Gonzalez could not overcome the speed disadvantage and was stopped in four rounds losing his WBC featherweight title. Prior to that loss, Gonzalez had been on a five fight winning streak which included an impressive first round destruction of Abner Mares.
This will be the first fight in over seven years that Gonzalez will not utilize the services of Hall of Fame trainer Nacho Beristain. Shortly after the Russell Jr. loss they parted ways.
Said Gonzalez, “Me and Nacho ended on good terms, and I appreciate his teachings, we ended as friends. He understood my position and he is a great person and great manager. We shook hands and hugged”
Gonzalez will bring a KO rate of over 70% into the ring, something that he will look to exploit.
“I have no problem making the limit of this division and Saturday I will make it clear that this is my perfect weight with a great demonstration of what we’re able to do. I’ll go for the knockout from the start of the fight, and we hope to give a good show for the people of Morelia” said Gonzalez
Hashimoto will enter the ring on the strength of four straight stoppages after being stopped in three straight, none of the opponents the class of Gonzalez. Hashimoto’s last fight was in May, a first round stoppage against 6-4-1 Chikashi Hayashizaki.
This will be Hashimoto’s first fight out of Japan. Hashimoto may have a little extra incentive in this one looking to avenge the loss of his stablemate Hozumi Hasegawa who Gonzalez stopped in four rounds back in 2011. Hashimoto will have a slight height and reach advantage but is an orthodox fighter which is good news for Gonzalez as his last four losses have all been at the hands of southpaws.
Hashimoto figures to be handpicked for Gonzalez to make an impressive return. All of Hashimoto’s losses have come by way of knockout, which could spell trouble against the hard punching Gonzalez. If Hashimoto is able to create any doubt in Gonzalez and rise to the occasion, he will no doubt pull off the upset of the year.
A Gonzalez win would set up a possible matchup with Takashi Miura (who recently knocked out Billy Dib) for a shot at the WBC World super featherweight title.
– Rick Guerrero / @lappitrick
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