By Miguel Rivera
Former world champion Jhonny González began his preparation in Mexico City on Monday, ready to meet his 2017 dream of conquering his third world title in different division, and in addition he practically rules out a rematch with Abner Mares.
After a successful 2016, with three wins in the same number of fights, against African Justin Savi, American Christopher Martin and Japanese Hirotsugu Yamamoto, Gonzalez has a goal to fulfill and will not rest until achieving it.
"That was one of the goals, the purposes, and we will not rest until fulfilling it," Gonzalez said.
Still in Monterrey, Gonzalez will travel to Mexico City in the next few days to start his workout at the Diaz Miron Gym. The "Bomber" will be ready to return to the ring in the second or third week of February.
He knows that debuting in 2017 with victory will be of vital importance to seek out a 130-pound world title fight, and although he would like to contest the World Boxing Council (WBC), he recognizes that it will be complicated and he's open to other options.
He emphasized the quality of boxers in that division, such as the WBC champion Francisco "Bandido" Vargas and his challenger Miguel "Alacrán" Berchelt, or Miguel "Micky" Roman and Japanese fighter Takashi Miura - who care going to collide in a doubleheader on January 28.
"Yes, I'm aiming for the WBC title, but I think it's going to be long wait, because after those fights they are going to match the winners and I think it's going to be a long wait. We'll be ready to fight in any sanctioning body," he said.
Although Abner Mares dethroned Argentinean Jesús Cuéllar to capture the WBA "regular" featherweight title, González doubts Mares would ever fight him again. In what was a huge upset, Mares got stopped by Gonzalez in one round in 2013. Mares exercised a rematch clause, but withdrew from two scheduled dates and the second contest never happened.
"Speaking of Mares, I think he's never going to avenge the defeat that I gave him. I think with that loss he's had more than enough and he does not want another fight with me. We'll continue looking for other options," concluded Gonzalez.
