By Luis Sandoval

Daniel Ponce De Leon once again became a world champion as he defeated Jhonny Gonzalez in September and captured the WBC Featherweight title. The fight ended when a clash of heads caused a deep cut above Gonzalez’s right eye and the fight went to the scorecards.

A second fight is sure to happen as there was a rematch clause and Gonzalez has said he plans to exercise it.

BoxingScene caught up with Ponce De Leon and asked if a rematch with Gonzalez was a fight he still wanted to take.

“Yes, I’d still like to fight him. We’re supposed to fight due to the contracts and the fight has to happen within a year. I plan to fight before a rematch but yes, I want to fight him because he got away from me the first time” said De Leon.

De Leon was also asked about a potential fight with Gary Russell Jr who recently expressed he wanted to fight De Leon in 2013. Russell also said he felt De Leon was tailor made for him and would make his job easier if they fought. De Leon was asked for his thoughts on Russell’s comments. 

“I’d definitely fight Russell. That’s a fight I’ve wanted even before I became champion. If he thinks [I’m tailor made] for him, let him keep thinking that and we’ll see when he steps in the ring” De Leon would tell BoxingScene.

Daniel Ponce De Leon has also recently opened his own boxing gym located at 1929 Whittier Blvd, Montebello, CA 90640. While the gym is now open, the Inauguration Day will be Friday, November 30th from 11AM-3PM.

You can follow Luis Sandoval on Twitter @truewest007. You can also tune in to Boxingscene’s official audio show The Boxing Lab every Tuesday from 6-8PM PST with hosts Ernest Gabion, Luis Sandoval, and Ryan Burton.

Tags: Daniel Ponce De Leon , Gary Russell Jr.