Hozumi Hasegawa-Jhonny Gonzalez Agreement Reached

By Jhonny Gonzalez

It's being reported in Japan that a pre-purse bid agreement has been reached for Hozumi Hasegawa to defend his WBC featherweight title against mandatory contender Jhonny Gonzalez of Mexico. Hasegawa’s gym chief Masato Yamashita confirmed the information to Japan Today. Gonzalez has agreed to fight Hasegawa in Japan. There is no date or venue finalized.

Hasegawa has faced tough Mexican opponents in his last two ring outings. He was knocked out in four rounds by Fernando Montiel last April, but then moved up by two divisions to featherweight to capture his current title by winning a decision over Juan Carlos Burgos.

‘‘If I’m fighting in Japan then winning is the absolute minimum requirement,’’ said Hasegawa said.