Underdog Rosales in best shape of his life

COMING in as a huge underdog against a twodivision world champion in hostile territory, Jessie Cris Rosales should be in for a tough night.

Though relatively inexperienced in this stage of competition, the 25year-old Cebuano boasts an impressive training camp at the Omega Boxing Gym.

“This is the first time that he is this good condition-wise because before, he was left alone to train,” said Omega Gym trainer Jinggoy Junco in a statement.

Rosales faces experienced former world champion Jhonny Gonzalez on July 22 at the Lienzo Charro Parral in Chihuahua, Mexico.

“You can see it in the development of his body,” said Junco.

Rosales had a complete training camp, which he has never tried in his career, with a monitored training and diet, and extensive sparring sessions.

“This is the new Cris Rosales. He is faster, stronger, smarter compared to his last fights,” said Junco.

Rosales won his only fight this year, a second round knockout of Jerry Nardo. One of the highlights of Rosales’ career is a 10-round unanimous decision over Anthony Sabalde in 2014 to win the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia-Pacific Youth featherweight title.

The 35-year-old Gonzalez has won five in a row since a majority decision loss to Jonathan Oquendo in 2015. His latest win is a third round knockout over Francisco Contreras.

Gonzalez has fought the cream of the crop over his 17-year career-Jorge Arce, Abner Mares, Hozumi Hasegawa, Fernando Montiel, Gary Russell Jr., Daniel Ponce de Leon, Toshiaki Nishioka, Israel Vazquez and Filipino Gerry Peñalosa. Rosales is 21-0-1 with nine knockouts, while Gonzalez is 63-10 with 53 knockouts. Sun.Star Cebu