JOET Gonzalez gave his career a huge boost by outlasting fellow contender Arnold Khegai in Thunder Studios, Long Beach, California last night. Pro Box televised the featherweight main event.
Having fallen short at the world title hurdle on three occasions, Joet needed the scores of 96-93 and 97-92 in his favour to nudge out Khegai who took the third card 95-94.
Khegai, whose only previous defeat came to Stephen Fulton in 2020, took the early initiative, but it took a lot of energy. The Los Angeles-based Ukrainian struggled with the body shots and a round five point deduction didn’t help his cause. The blood flowed freely from both men in the seventh as it turned into a rough-and-ready battle.
Blood continued to flow liberally from Khegai’s nose as he threatened to wilt under the constant pressure in round nine. Gonzalez’s body attacks were making the difference once more. The winner improves to 27-4 (15 KOs), while Khegai falls to 22-2-1 (14 KOs).
In the chief supporting contest, Luis Torres Valenzuela availed of a third-round retirement by Jamaica’s Nicholas Walters. It was scheduled for 10 rounds at lightweight, but aged 39, Walters’ heart appears to be removed from the fight game.
Jesus Saracho and Luis Lopez boxed to a majority draw after 10 rounds of welterweight grind. Lopez received a 96-94 verdict, overruled by a couple of 95-95 offerings. As the Pro Box commentary team explained, nobody went out to separate themselves and win it.
In a battle of California transplants, Kilkenny native Brandon McCarthy was generally too sharp for a disappointed Jose Rodriguez, prevailing on points. Boxing out of the Wild Card, McCarthy was extremely impressive given his limited pro experience, battling through a fifth-round sticky patch to grab the win.
Joshua Anton sent Tariq ‘No Days Off’ Green on holiday in their super-welterweight six-rounder. Anton is a tall puncher for the weight.
Justin Viloria blasted away Nicaragua’s Juan Centeno at just 1-04 of the first round in their super-featherweight clash.
