Yunieski Gonzalez Targets March Return With New Head Trainer

By Elisinio Castillo

Just when Yunieski Gonzalez was dreaming of the possibility of facing Jean Pascal in a rematch, the Canadian star made a decision to retire.

Now Gonzalez (18-3, 14 KO) is looking for another avenue to continue his career and hopes to return to the ring in March with a new coach.

Although the Cuban camp took steps to test the availability of Pascal, everything seems to indicate that his decision to retire, after a TKO win over undefeated Ahmed Elbiali at the Hialeah Park and Casino in Miami, will be permanent.

Gonzalez fought Pascal in July 2015 in Las Vegas. Pascal won a close fight, but there were many who saw Gonzalez as the winner.

That demonstration won Gonzalez a new invitation to fight on HBO, but in his last four bouts he has a 2-2 record, with his defeats coming against Ukrainian boxers Vyacheslav Shabransky and Oleksandr Gvozdyk.

"We certainly wanted to face Pascal, but it will not be possible," said Michael Luzbet, one of Gonzalez's managers, to George Ebro.

"We are contemplating the possibility of fighting in March and it will be against someone difficult. There is not another option'".

For his part, Gonzalez began 2018 with the help of a new coach, Pedro Roque, who also led him in Cuba from the youth categories and now conditions him for what may come in the future.

The Cuban has gone through the hands of two prestigious technicians such as Orlando Cuellar and Pedro Diaz, which were important at two moments of his career, and he hopes that Roque will help him relaunch this chapter of his pro run.

The task will not be easy, because the division at 175 pounds is packed with dangerous champions and a good group of excellent challengers.

"I've been lucky to be with very good coaches and I feel fortunate to join Pedro's gym," Gonzalez said. "I know there's still a lot to offer. The division is difficult, but everyone knows that there is always a war [when someone fights] with me. ''