By Jake Donovan
Super bantamweights, Celestino Caballero in particular, beware: Jhonny Gonzalez has his groove back.
Less than a year after being written off as a finished fighter, the uber-talented Mexican turned in his most complete performance in years. A pair of knockdowns paved the way for a statement-making fourth round stoppage of Mauricio Pastrana in the main event of this week’s Solo Boxeo telecast from Cabazon, California.
Gonzalez enjoyed every conceivable offensive edge between the two (height, reach, speed, power), but it was Pastrana marching forward and forcing the pace early. Gonzalez was measured in his attack, fighting while moving backwards, but steadily pumping his jab. Pastrana appeared to be the busier fighter of the two, but not landing anything of note.
Plenty of meaningful punches landed in the second, all courtesy of Gonzalez. A double left hook to the body late in the round left Pastrana defenseless and pinned along the ropes. A series of shots appeared to force the Colombian to the canvas, but no knockdown was called. Gonzalez remained on the attack, doubling up to the body and landing straight rights upstairs before the bell saved Pastrana from further punishment.
It was a bit of role reversal in the third. Pastrana shook loose the cobwebs and went back to taking the fight to Gonzalez. It was a wise plan for most of the round, until Gonzalez uncorked a left hook that had the faded former junior flyweight titlist stunned, drawing a reaction from the modest-sized, but lively, crowd on hand.
Those who insist Gonzalez is far more boxer-puncher than face-first brawler can use round four as the best possible example. The Mexican spent much the round boxing smartly, bouncing on his toes while shooting his jab through Pastrana’s guard. A double jab/right hand combo got through in a big way late in the round, staggering the Colombian before a left hook and uppercut deposited the Colombian to the canvas. Pastrana beat the count, but Gonzalez charged in and unloaded before forcing referee Ray Corona to intervene.
The official time was 2:32 of round four.
Gonzalez cruises to 38-6 (32KO) with the win, his fourth straight. The knockout sets up a possible showdown later in the year with super bantamweight titlist Celestino Caballero. Whether or not that fight pans out, Gonzalez leaves this fight fully knowing the future is a hell of a lot brighter than it was last summer.
It’s been said several times before, but Pastrana might be done for good after tonight’s bout, at least beyond the club level. He falls to 34-9-2 (22KO) in dropping his second straight, the loss coming five months after a failed title bid in Panama against Caballero. The 35-year old has now suffered three knockout losses in his last five fights, all in less than two years.
On paper, the co-feature battle between Antonio Escalante and David Martinez appeared to be a mismatch. It didn’t disappoint in that regard, with Escalante left-hooking Martinez into oblivion inside of three rounds.
The bout got off to a slow start in the first, but quickly picked up in the second as Escalante (18-2, 11KO) was able to establish his body attack. The moment he began landing downstairs marked the beginning of the end for Martinez (18-4-1, 3KO) who had little response.
It was left-hook city in the third round. Escalante was winging ‘em from the outside early to the head and body, with the shots downstairs keeping Martinez well within punching range. Escalante unloaded, landing hooks, straight rights and uppercuts at will before finally forcing Martinez to a knee. An eight count was administered, to which Martinez rose as if ready to continue, but referee Raul Caiz Sr. decided to call it an evening.
The official time was 2:08 of round three.
The early exit in the co-feature made room for a swing bout to receive airtime. Michael Franco took full advantage of the unexpected fifteen minutes of fame, though only needing six to finish his evening. The undefeated bantamweight dominated every second of his bout against upside-down Mexican journeyman Benito Abraham en route to a second-round stoppage.
Abraham (9-12-4, 6KO) was little more than a punching bag, though more often than manages to extend his opponents round. Not tonight, as Franco (11-0, 8KO) jumped on him from the opening bell and didn’t let up until literally beating his man into submission.
It caught up to Abraham in a big way late in the second, when a series of left hooks and straight rights sent the Mexican to the canvas. He beat the count, but absorbed more punishment before a body shot forced him to take a knee. Referee Ray Corona decided that Martinez had taken enough abuse, waving off the bout at 2:59 of round two.
With plenty of time to spare between the main event and the end of the broadcast, local flyweight prospect Anthony Villarreal made his way to the telecast, easily handing lean southpaw Jamie Gutierrez.
Villarreal (8-2, KO) gave away 3” in height and a massive 8” in reach, but none of that is any match for experience, which Gutierrez sorely lacks. A relatively tame first round picked up at the end once Villarreal was able to close the gap, letting his hands go as Gutierrez went into a defensive shell. He’d have been wise to employ the same tactic toward the end of the second round, when a Villarreal compact left hook floored the Arizona-based southpaw. Gutierrez recovered, with the bell preventing further punishment in the round.
Gutierrez (3-2, 0KO) managed to stay upright in the third and fourth round, though meant little more than a moral victory at the end of the night. Scoring was academic, with Villarreal winning 40-35 (2x) and 39-36 for his fourth straight win.
The show was presented by Golden Boy Promotions.
Jake Donovan is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and the Tennessee Boxing Advisory Board. Contact Jake at JakeNDaBox@gmail.com.