Friday, May 16, 2008 Former WBO Bantamweight Champion, Jhonny Gonzalez, took a step toward another title by knocking out Mauricio Pastrana in Cabazon, CA.
Gonzalez Knocks Out Pastrana
Jhonny Gonzalez, 38-6 (32 KOs), knocked out tough but overmatched Mauricio Pastrana, 34- 9 (22) at 2:32 of the fourth round at Morongo Casino in Cabazon, CA. The knock out came when Gonzalez, 26, a former WBO bantamweight champion, hurt Pastrana, 35, with a right then dropped the veteran with a combination.
Pastrana got on his feet before the referee could count ten, but a flurry by Gonzalez backed the weakened Pastrana to the ropes, where the referee decided the fighter had taken enough punishment.
Although the fight ended perfectly for Gonzalez, it took him a couple rounds to figure out a leathery old fighter like Pastrana. The first round was uneventful and Suite 101 scored it even as neither boxer seemed able to take control.
The second round was more of the same, except for the occasional Pastrana counter right hand over Gonzalez's left jab. Many in the pro Gonzalez crowd shouted for their man to use his jab, but Gonzalez seemed understanably timid about throwing it.
The fight turned in Gonzalez's favor by the end of round two, when he sunk a glove into Pastrana's stomach and followed up with a flurry as the bell sounded.
Pastrana came out hard in round three, but by now, Gonzalez had proven himself the stronger fighter and by round's end had completely taken over the fight with his height, reach, and much greater firepower.
Gonzalez lost his WBO title to Gerry Penalosa in August of 2007, but has since reeled off four victories, including last night's tussle. Arguably, Gonzalez's competition since the Penalosa fight has been a little soft, but at 26-years-old, confidence at junior featherweight is more important than big name scalps.
It was a thinly veiled secret that Gonzalez was having a hard time making 117 lbs (bantamweight) before the Penalosa fight, which ended in the seventh round when Penalosa landed a perfect left to Gonzalez's liver.
Riverside Heroes on Undercard
On the undercard, two local heroes stood out as they each earned victories fore the hometown fans.
Michael Franco
First up was Riverside, CA native Michael Franco, a bantamweight who raised his record to 11-0 (8 KOs) when he knocked out Benito Abraham (10-5, 6 KOs) in the second round. Abraham went down twice in the round and told the referee he couldn't continue after rising from the second knockdown--a devastating bodyshot.
Anthony Villareal
Hometown hero #2 was Anthony Villareal, 8-2 (4), who managed a four round unanimous decision over the less talented, but equally game Jaime Gutierrez, 3-2.
Looking resplendant in brown leather trunks with white fur trim, the flyweight Villareal's boxing style reminded the writer of a young Zab Judah with his punches from odd angles and good foot movement, though Villareal seems to lack Judah caliber power.
The card was shown as part of Goldenboy Promotions' "Big Time Boxing" series on Telefutura.
