Tag Archives: Joet Gonzalez
Emanuel Navarrete Wins All Out War Against Joet Gonzalez
By: Hans Themistode
For most of Emanuel Navarrete’s three-year featherweight title reign, he made quick work of his opposition. With seven stoppage wins in his past eight fights, and two knockdowns against Ruben Villa, the lone fighter who went the full 12 round distance with Navarrete, the Mexican star was forced to bite down on his mouthpiece for the first time in several years.
At the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, this past Friday night, Navarrete took on former title challenger Joet Gonzalez.
Things didn’t start the way Gonzalez had been hoping for. A cut under his right eye which was ruled to have been caused by a legal punch in the second round left him bloodied. Despite the unfortunate start, Gonzalez pushed ahead and landed several hard shots on his man.
The two continued the back and forth action throughout much of the first half of their contest but it was Navarrete who appeared to have a bit more in the gas tank. In the 12th and final round, determined to retain his world title, Navarrete attempted to close the show by throwing a fight-high 104 punches. Gonzalez, on the other hand, didn’t back down from the high volume of Navarrete. The two-time title challenger threw 79 punches of his own.
In the end, the high work rate of Navarrete allowed him to prolong his title reign. But, seeing how close their showdown ultimately was, Navarrete is more than willing to give Gonzalez another chance.
“It was a very close fight but I think the difference between us was conditioning,” Navarrete said in his post-fight interview. “I hurt him, but every single time he came back. He also hurt me with a couple of shots that he landed during the fight. Without a doubt, I would give Gonzalez a rematch.”
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Joet Gonzalez speaks candidly on fighting in someone else’s backyard again, lessons learned, and unsatisfied fight fans
Photo Courtesy of Golden Boy Boxing
“I don’t think I get the respect, but it is what it is. These boxing people are never going to be happy. You know, I’m the type of fighter that’s always going to express myself. I want to fight the best the top guys win or lose. And people don’t see that. They just see a loss and it’s over, but, they don’t see who I fought. They just think I’m a bum, but it is what it is. I’m here to fight the best, win, lose, or draw. ” – Joet Gonzalez
Joet Gonzalez aims to put the best of his abilities together as he challenges Emanuel Navarrete for the WBO featherweight title. A showdown with the potential to be all action will further excite an already talent-filled weight class.
His last outing resulted in an exciting victory over Miguel Marriaga by unanimous decision in 2020. A win he is proud of following the loss against Shakur Stevenson in 2019. But of the two, it was the loss that taught the greater lessons.
The loss against Stevenson, especially how it was promoted [taught me the most]. I got a lot of backlash and it is what it is. People, can think what they want or say what they want about me. I know who I am as a person. A lot of people, if they were in my shoes, would take the loss and quit. And especially with that promotion that I had, that backstory, [other] fighters would lose their minds. But I’ve shown the public that I’m here to fight the best and I’m strong-minded. I took on Marriaga and I came on with the victory there. Now again, I’m going to a backyard, you know, territory, three straight fights in a row, and I’m taking on another world champion. I’m just showing the people who I am.
Ahead of Friday night’s clash at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, Gonzalez spoke to BoxingInsider.com. Speaking candidly, Gonzalez discussed the challenge at hand, what the loss against Stevenson taught him, and unappreciative fight fans.
Navarrete vs Gonzalez takes place Friday, Oct 15 at the Pechanga Arena San Diego. The bout will be broadcast on ESPN+ at 5:30 PDT
