By Jake Donovan
Jhonny Gonzalez had one hell of a run from bantamweight to featherweight, having claimed three titles in the two mentioned weight classes while also contending for a belt at super bantamweight in between.
The 33-year old boxer-puncher from Mexico seemed to have found a home at featherweight, where he enjoyed two separate championship reigns. His second run was ignited by a stunning 1st round knockout of previously unbeaten Abner Mares in Aug. '13, remaining as champ for 19 months before running into Gary Russell Jr. earlier this year.
His loss to Russell appears to be his last in the 126 lb. division. Gonzalez has since moved up to super featherweight, where he claimed a 2nd round knockout of Japan's Kazuki Hashimoto earlier this month in his native Mexico. The fight took place with the knowledge that a win could lead his to coming right back, as he will face Puerto Rico's Jonathan Oquendo on September 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, in supporting action to Floyd Mayweather's welterweight championship title defense versus Andre Berto.
While there is nothing officially at stake, the winner—particularly if it's Gonzalez —could be looking at a shot at reigning super featherweight titlist Takashi Miura.
If that fight does not materliaize, then Gonzalez will set his sights on the likes of Takashi Uchiyama, Jose Pedraza or even the winner of the rematch between Roman Martinez and Orlando Salido, which takes place on the same September 12 show.
Whatever comes of his future, it won't happen at the weight where he previously reigned supreme.
"I’m done at featherweight," Gonzalez (58-9, 49KOs) insisted during a recent media conference call to promote the September 12 Pay-Per-View show. "My days of making 126 lbs. are through.
"I want to fight the best at 130 lbs. and I get my first chance on September 12."
Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com.
Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
Facebook Page: JakeBScene