By Phil D. Jay

WBC 126lb title holder Jhonny Gonzalez (51-7, 45 KO’s) has revealed to World Boxing News that he is negotiating with his mandatory challenger Elio Rojas (23-1, 14 KO’s) for a contest in March 2012.

The bout is set to take place in Mexico and will be the champion’s fourth defence of the green belt since he defeated Hozumi Hasegawa in April 2011 to become a two-weight world title holder.

The 30 year-old, who has knocked out his last eleven opponents, is ready to give Rojas the chance to regain the title that he held two years ago and never lost in the ring. ‘The Kid’ made one successful defence before vacating the title after suffering an injury prior to a scheduled bout with Yuriorkis Gamboa.

“We are ready to fight my mandatory Elio Rojas in March,” Gonzalez told WBN.

“There are plans to move up to 130lbs in 2012 if there is an offer from one of the champions but before we think about that we will fight Rojas.”

Rojas, 29, returned to the ring after suffering reported injuries to his shoulder and right hand to defeat Arturo Gomez with an eighth round TKO in September and had been the WBC emeritus champion since his previous fight 19 months prior.

Phil D. Jay covers boxing for worldboxingnews.net

Tags: Jhonny Gonzalez