Mantequilla replaced by Garcia for Feb. 7 ESPN date

Mantequilla replaced by Garcia for Feb. 7 ESPN date

It’s been a rocky go for unbeaten Puerto Rican junior middleweight Jonathan Gonzalez, known as “Mantequilla”, as of late.

Gonzalez was set to fight in an ESPN2 Friday Night Fights televised bout on Feb. 7 against Norberto Gonzalez, but had to pull out due to a shoulder injury. Stepping in on late notice is Roberto Garcia, whose claim to fame is fighting a comebacking Antonio Margarito a few years ago.

The 24-year old Gonzalez (17-0, 14 knockouts) fought just twice in 2013 after appearing in a lackluster draw against former 154-pound titlist Serhiy Dzinziruk in his HBO debut in September 2012. Gonzalez won a majority decision over Derek Ennis last January and fought just once more, a December fifth-round TKO over journeyman Jaison Palomeque.

Gonzalez was once a highly touted prospect but has seen his buzz sizzle in recent years. The latest development is just another dent to the young Puerto Rican’s reputation.

The 33-year old Garcia (33-3, 22 KOs), of Weslaco, Tex., has run off five straight wins dating back to the May 2010 decision loss to Margarito. Garcia’s best win in that time is a ten-round unanimous decision over Antwone Smith in March 2012 in an ESPN2 televised bout.

Norberto Gonzalez of Mexico scored a bit of an upset victory in his last fight, winning a ten-round unanimous decision over Michael Oliveira. It was Gonzalez’s second fight after taking a nearly three year break from the sport after losing to former fringe prospect Mark Melligen back in April 2010.

-Mark E. Ortega / @MarkEOrtega

-Managing editor at www.BehindTheGloves.com