Jonathan “Bomba” Gonzalez has high hopes that signing with Salita Promotions will make the final chapter of his career his most lucrative yet.
The WBA interim flyweight titleholder signed with the New York-based promoter, three months after he pulled off a significant upset by handing Puerto Rico Olympian Yankiel Rivera his first professional defeat to capture the belt. The 34-year-old Gonzalez, 29-4-1 (14 KOs), tells BoxingScene that he hopes having a promoter behind him whose shows are broadcast on DAZN will lead to big fight opportunities and paydays.
“I want to become a legit two-division world champion, I would take the winner of [WBA/WBC flyweight titleholder] Ricardo Sandoval vs. Galal Yafai,” said Gonzalez, a former WBO junior flyweight titlist.
“Fighting on DAZN is big for my career, signing with Salita is big for my career. I think I have 4-5 fights more, and I want to take advantage of having a big promoter like Salita. They made Claressa Shields what she is today and that’s something you have to admire for a promoter.”
Gonzalez says the agreement was easy to reach, even if it came out of nowhere. He says he received a phone call on a Sunday last month from a number he didn’t recognize, but he figured out it was Salita Promotions President Dmitriy Salita when he plugged the number into his WhatsApp app on his phone. The two began talking, and now Gonzalez says he expects to be back in the ring by the summer.
Salita has promoted several shows in Puerto Rico, with the most recent being the Felix Parrilla vs. José Velásquez card last month in San Juan.
“Jonathan González is a world-class fighter with championship experience and a proven track record against elite competition,” said Salita in a press release.
“He’s competed at the highest level, won world titles, and continues to show that he belongs among the very best in the sport. We’re excited to be part of this next chapter of his career.”
Gonzalez, a native of The Bronx, New York, who is now based in Caguas, Puerto Rico, turned pro in 2011 and won his first world title a decade later, defeating Elwin Soto by split decision. He defended that title three times successfully but lost a challenge to WBO flyweight titleholder Anthony Olascuaga in 2024 in the first round due to a cut.
The southpaw put that disappointment behind him with the win over Rivera and now hopes to make big fights at 112lbs.
“I’ve been at the top before, and I know what it takes to get back there,” said Gonzalez in a press statement. “This is about continuing to prove myself, taking on the best, and showing that I’m still one of the best fighters in the world. I’m ready for what’s next.”
Ryan Songalia is a reporter and editor for BoxingScene.com and has written for ESPN, the New York Daily News, Rappler, The Guardian, Vice and The Ring magazine. He holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism and is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. He can be reached at ryansongalia@gmail.com or on Twitter at @ryansongalia.
