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Julio Gonzalez Is Looking
For Another Title Shot!
David Telesco Stands In His Path!
Photo and Report by
Will "The Thrill" Trillo
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At the start of 2004, Julio Gonzalez (36-2, 22
KO's) held the WBO Light Heavyweight Title, he was
the first Mexican fighter to strap that weight
classes Championship belt around his waist and he
was very proud of his accomplishment. But, here we
are coming up on the New Year and Julio no longer
has the title, and now he finds himself in the
position of having to fight his way back into
another shot at a title. And what better way to do
that than on the undercard of the biggest Light
Heavy fight to come along in years, that being
Antonio Tarver vs. Glen Johnson. Gonzalez's task for
this evening will be to defeat the always tough
David Telesco (29-4-1, 24 KO's). For the winner, a
title shot could be around the corner, and for the
loser, it's back to the end of the line, and we know
neither
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one wants to go there! This one has all the makings of being
a very hard fought and entertaining fight!
Boxing2004 sat down with Julio before his last day of
sparring and got his view of his upcoming battle.
Let's jump right into this, what do you know about David
Telesco?
He's a tough guy, he's a tall slick boxer, he's strong, like I
said, a tough guy! He comes to fight, he doesn't back away. He
didn't back away from Roy Jones, he beat Letterlough, he gave
him a boxing lesson and I expect a good tough fight from him!
Do you see this fight as a make or break, in other
words, win and big paydays are next, but lose and it's a long
climb back up to the top?
Pretty much, yeah, this fight is going to make me or break me.
The titles are vacant right now and no one really knows what the
winner of Tarver and Johnson, but if I win I should be placed in
the top 5, so there should be a good chance for a title shot
after that. And if not, maybe a title elimination, I don't know,
but I do know a loss will put me back down.
You have already had the WBO belt, would you like to get
that belt back, do you want another version, or does it even
matter to you which one you fight for?
It doesn't matter, a belt is a belt and a title is a title, and
it would be nice to be a Champion of any organization.
Have you heard or seen that there is any chance that the
winner of your fight will get the winner of Taver/Johnson?
That would be great, we are already on this card and it is great
publicity for HBO to set up another title fight.
You have already had one title fight here at Staples
Center.
Yes, in 2001, against Roy Jones, and I fought Glen Johnson in
Los Angeles in 2003.
So this is a chance to fight in front of your family and
friends again!
Oh Yes, and they are all going to be there, a lot of fans are
going to come and see the fight so I have got myself ready to
perform and put on a good show! Just get me in the ring and let
me do my work, I gotta win, no matter who it is!
Any predictions for this fight?
No, I am just looking for a victory so I can get another shot at
the title! Hopefully, it will be a good and spectacular fight,
so the people will recognize that I do deserve another title
shot!
The Gonzalez/Telesco war is part of the big card tonight at
Staples Center. Tickets for the Tarver-Johnson card, priced at
$25, $50, $125,
and $250 are available now at STAPLES
Center Box Office (open 9am to 6pm Monday through
Saturday) and Team LA at Universal City Walk or
by calling Ticketmaster at 213-480-3232.
Tickets are also available online at
http://www.ticketmaster.com/. For group sales, please call
1-866-LA-GROUP.
Tarver-Johnson is presented by Joe
DeGuardia's Star Boxing in association with
Goossen Tutor Promotions and STAPLES Center.
PartyPoker.com is the official sponsor of
"True Champions." The event will be televised live
on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning
at 6pm( PT) - 9pm (ET.)
Questions or Comments? Please Contact
Will "The Thrill"
Trillo