Several years ago Jhonny Gonzalez 47-7(41) won the WBO Bantamweight title he defeated Marc Johnson & Fernando Montiel and the future appeared rosey. He stepped up to 122 and fought Isreal Vazquez for the WBC crown in the main event on the Mexican Independance in 2006 and was performing incredibly well, ahead on points and having dropped Vazquez. However the fight took a drastic U-turn in the tenth when Vazquez stormed back and pulled victory from the jaws of defeat. That lead to Gonzalez now 29, returning to Bantamweight after one more successful defense he lost to Gerry Penalosa who stopped him in the seventh with a debilitating liver shot. He did what his body had told him for awhile and moved up in weight, after 6 wins he once again fought for the WBC title this time against Japan’s Toshiaki Nishioka, despite a good start in which he dropped the champion Gonzalez was stopped in the third. Gonzalez has since moved up to Featherweight and is on a seven fight winning streak with all of them by knock out, proving he maintains his power even at 126. It is widely rumoured that Gonzalez will face Hozumi Hasegawa for the WBC Featherweight championship early in 2011. He is currently ranked WBC 1, WBA 2 & IBF 4.
Hello Jhonny, welcome 15rounds.com
Anson Wainwright – Just a few weeks back you beat Jackson Asiku, what can you tell us about that fight?
Jhonny Gonzalez – The fight of Jackson was an important fight for me as for all the Mexicans because it’s a very special date September 15 Is the Independence of Mexico.
Anson Wainwright – Though it’s early do you think you’ll be back in action? If so can you tell us when & against who it maybe?
Jhonny Gonzalez – I just fought against Santos Marimon. I am going to dispute the world championship of the WBC against the champion Hozumi Hasegawa of Japan there are plans that be in the month of February in Mexico.
Anson Wainwright – Who are members of team Gonzalez, who is your manager, trainer & Promoter? Also what gym do you train at?
Jhonny Gonzalez – My managers are Oswaldo and Reginaldo Kulche. My coach is Ignacio beristain, my brother Miguel Angel Gonzalez and Ulysses help too. My promoter is Promociones Del Pueblo & I train in the La Romanza, Mexico City.
Anson Wainwright – Your campaigning in the Featherweight division which has many talented fighters at the moment what are your thoughts on that? Are you targeting anyone in particular?
Jhonny Gonzalez – The division is very tough, there are Juanma Lopez, Yuriorkis Gamboa, Chris John, Elio Rojas,etc. I feel capable to face any of them in the 2011
Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your early years growing up in Hidalgo? Were things tough growing up and how did you first become interested in Boxing?
Jhonny Gonzalez – There is an error, I am from Mexico City. My first fight was there and it appears on my record.
Anson Wainwright – You previously reigned as a Bantamweight World champion from 2005 to 2007. Looking back what are your thoughts on what it was like to be champion and what it meant to you?
Jhonny Gonzalez – My dream was achieved because every boxer dreams of that I was fortunate to achieve it and to be able to face tough fighters.
Anson Wainwright – Having fought down at 118 you quickly moved through 122 and now fight at 126 how do you find making weight now? What weight are you between fights?
Jhonny Gonzalez – Well I believe that my body needed me to rise from division because I struggled with those pounds, now in 126 I feel better I believe that this is my natural weight at this time.
Anson Wainwright – You have fought Israel Vazquez in 2006 on the Mexican Independence card it was a fantastic give and take war, you were ahead at the time of the stoppage. Looking back what do you think of that fight now? How good do you think Vazquez was?
Jhonny Gonzalez – It was a great experience for and in my career as a boxer, I was on the verge of winning a tough fight but he actually went on to win.
Anson Wainwright – When your not Boxing or training what do you like to do with your time to relax? Do you have any hobbies or interests?
Jhonny Gonzalez – I like to be with my family because when I have a fight I feel very tired and it’s very difficult to be able to be a lot of time with them. I have a business in Mexico City a rostiseria. I like the video play
Anson Wainwright – I remember reading that your father spelt your name wrong when he registered your birth can you tell us exactly what happened?
Jhonny Gonzalez – By an er. ror, but he never went to change it.
Anson Wainwright – What do you consider you best performance so far? Who do you think is the best fighter your have shared a ring with & why?
Jhonny Gonzalez – When I won my first world championship in Tucson Az. There have been various one’s Vazquez, Fernando Montiel and the but recent to Jackson Asiku.
Anson Wainwright – Do you have a message for the Featherweight division?
Jhonny Gonzalez – That the champions fight Jhonny Gonzalez to make it a better division over the next year. I want to achieve big things. Many tough Mexican’s they command a greeting to all the people that trust my profession.
Thanks for your time Jhonny.
Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com
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