Gonzalez stops Rosales in round 2

JESSIE Cris Rosales failed to deliver in the biggest fight of his career after getting knocked out in the second round by experienced twodivision world champion Jhonny Gonzalez yesterday at the Lienzo Charro Parral in Chihuahua, Mexico.

Gonzalez had a slight edge in the first round behind accurate jabs.

Rosales, however, rocked Gonzalez with a right hook. In the second round, Gonzalez continued where he left off, landing combinations by opening Rosales up with his jab.

He caught Rosales with a lead left hook to the body that got partially blocked before unleashing a solid left hook to the head that dropped the Filipino.

Rosales beat the count but was still a bit wobbly on his feet. Gonzalez, showing his veteran savvy, didn’t go right away for the kill but rather softened him up before unloading a left hook to the ribs that dropped Rosales to the canvas for good.

The punch was reminiscent of Gonzalez’s loss to Rosales’ compatriot Gerry Peñalosa 10 years ago. Rosales suffered his first career loss and dropped to 211-1 with nine knockouts.

The 35-year-old Gonzalez, who is eyeing another run at a world title, defended his World Boxing Council Latino super featherweight strap and improved to 64-10 with 54 knockouts.

Despite the knockout loss, it was a good learning experience for the 25-year-old Rosales to share the ring with a former world champion in Gonzalez.

“I learned a lot from this fight,” he said. “I will continue train harder with my boxing.” Sun.Star Cebu