Joet Gonzalez and Isaac Dogboe both will have something to prove on Saturday.
The featherweight contenders have looked terrific at times, ordinary on other occasions. They’ll need to be at their best when the face each other in a scheduled 10-round bout Saturday in Hinckley, Minnesota, a fight that could lead to a title shot.
“There’s a little more pressure because the opportunity is there for a third world title shot,” Gonzalez said. “But I got to get the job done. I’ve got to get past Isaac Dogboe first and then go from there.”
Gonzalez (25-2, 15 KOs) is only 2-2 in his last four fights, unanimous-decision losses coming in title fights against pound-for-pounder Shakur Stevenson in 2019 and Emanuel Navarrete last October.
Stevenson, a superb boxer, outclassed an always-game, but overmatched Gonzalez. However, giving a gritty performance in an entertaining fight, he pushed the physically imposing Navarrete harder than many expected him to.
The Los Angeles fighter rebounded from that setback by stopping Jeo Santisima in nine rounds in March.
Gonzalez said the setback against Navarrete made him a better fighter.
“I took a lot from the Navarrete fight,” he said. “You live and learn each and every day. From that fight, I think I showed most of the people what I’m about and what I’m willing to do to get my hand raised. Unfortunately, I didn’t get my hand raised, but I was in that fight for all 12 rounds.
“If I was hurt, I wouldn’t have fought the way I fought. For the most part, I made that fight exciting. But it is what it is, and now I can’t wait to face Isaac Dogboe.”
Dogboe (23-2, 15 KOs) seemed to be a rising star because of his impressive run to a 122-pound championship in 2018. And then he ran into a brick wall familiar to Gonzalez, Navarrete.
The Mexican fairly easily outpointed his much shorter opponent in December 2018 to take the Ghanaian’s belt and then stopped him in the 12th and final round in the rematch five months later, which severely damaged Dogboe’s image as an elite talent.
Dogboe didn’t give up, however, He returned as a 126-pounder 14 months later and is 3-0 at his new weight, although he eked past Adam Lopez and Christopher Diaz in his last two fights.
He’s aware of the challenge he will face on Saturday.
“One thing I believe is that without risk there is no reward,” he said. “I love the challenge. I’m always willing to go in there with whoever is in front of me. I’m really looking forward to this fight. I know that Joet is going to bring it.”
You can bet both fighters will bring it.
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