By Jake Donovan

Even at just 25 years of age, it’s understandable why Joet Gonzalez would prefer to advance to the title stage. 

The Los Angelino is in his seventh year as a pro and has come into his own in his past few starts. His latest win—a 5th round stoppage of Rodrigo Guerrero—has him feeling like he’s ready to conquer the world.

“I’m a great fighter, I’m a contender and a lot better than a lot of these prospects supposedly in front of me,” Gonzalez (22-0, 13KOs) said following Saturday’s DAZN-streamed win at Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, Calif.

 

A compelling case was made in his most recent performance. Mexico’s Guerrero (26-8-2, 16KOs) was well past his best days as a super flyweight titlist more than seven years ago—his reign beginning and ending before Gonzalez even turned pro—but had never been stopped or even dropped in his 14-year career.

 

Neither of those items any longer rang true by the time Gonzalez was finished with him. Guerrero found himself on the canvas and his nose bloodied by the end of the opening round, with Gonzalez sending him to the deck for a second time late in round four before closing the show with a flurry of unanswered punches late in round five.

 

“He's never been knocked down or stopped so I came in with the game plan (to be the first to do so) and was determined to do it,” Gonzalez noted. “I knew he was a former world champion. I smelled the blood but had to act like a contender. I saw he was hurt but picked my shots and stuck to the game plan.”

 

Doing so brought about his seventh knockout win in his last eight contests. Now comes the time to challenge his skills at an elite level. 

 

“I think I’m ready now,” Gonzalez insists in demanding a path that will put him in contention. “I’m not leaving 2019 without a title shot. I don’t care if I lose my (unbeaten) record, I’m just here to fight.”

 

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox