Jonathan Gonzalez Knocks Out Shokichi Iwata, Defends WBO Junior Flyweight Title | Biden News

Jonathan ‘Bomba’ Gonzalez dives deep into his tactics to eliminate a young, struggling fighter.

Puerto Rico’s Gonzalez went a long way in defeating Tokyo’s Shokichi Iwata in the second half to defend his WBO junior flyweight title. Judges Jesse Reyes (116-112), Pat Russell (116-112) and Danrex Tapdasan (117-111) all ruled Gonzalez in the ESPN+/DAZN/Amazon Prime/ESPN Knockout co-feature Tuesday afternoon (local time ) Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.

Gonzalez entered the ring as a listed defender and is by far the more experienced of the two. The Puerto Rican southpaw – promoted by All Star Boxing, Inc – showed up early in the fight, using every inch of the ring and getting Iwata to follow him. Both boxers traded body shots, as Iwata landed a straight right hand.

Time was called in the second round, as a clash of heads left Gonzalez down and on the canvas. Iwata attempted a body shot, but their foreheads collided forcing Gonzalez to fall while holding his right eye. Referee Raul Caiz Jr. he gave a stern warning to Iwata for abuse. Action continued, with Gonzalez landing a right hook and his power forced Iwata to the canvas in what was ruled a right push.

Another collision occurred a minute into the third round. This time, Gonzalez was left with a cut on the bridge of his nose and another above his right eye. The roster of defensemen came off the short break with an overdrive. Iwata responded with a head kick, forcing Gonzalez to clinch. Iwata starts when Boats sets up Gonzalez, connecting with right hands to the body.

Iwata enjoyed his first fight in four rounds. Gonzalez was clearly troubled by his reckless opponent’s lack of self-control, complaining of head and elbow strikes as he turned to the referee for help. That promise came as Iwata landed a right uppercut, with Gonzalez turning away and complaining about the injury but Caiz Jr.

Gonzalez settled down and fought with ferocity in the fifth round, landing a mid-way combination. Iwata slowed down his attack, although he did manage to land a right hand to the body late in the round, however, as he fought from the outside as the boxers briefly traded blows.

Iwata stayed and gave more training in the middle of the road. Gonzalez continued to come out after boxing out early in the first round. He almost paid the price, as Iwata landed a right hand against the ropes late in the sixth round.

Gonzalez took control as the fight entered the second round. Iwata continued to come out but was caught with a left hand by Gonzalez, who moved back into his natural box and moved his style.

Iwata managed to close the gap in round nine after being knocked out in the previous two rounds, where she was connected with right and left hands. Iwata pinned Gonzalez against the ropes, landing to the body and uppercut, though Gonzalez was able to land another body shot with another left hand late in the round.

The cat-and-mouse game worked in Gonzalez’s favor in the final three rounds. Iwata continued to hunt but dropped his jab and continued attack which allowed him to close the gap earlier in the contest. Gonzalez fought inside as needed, otherwise he spent the last nine minutes effectively boxing out and providing a moving target that Iwata couldn’t hit too often to take down the roster. visit.

Takelining the four-fight telecast, WBC junior flyweight titlist Kenshiro Teraji (19-1, 11KOs) faces the WBA ‘Super’ champion Hiroto Kyuguchi (16-0, 11KOs) in a highly anticipated mixed fight.

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDABox