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Joet Gonzalez vs. Isaac Dogboe World Title Eliminator
July 23 At Grand Casino Hinckley
It’s the “Quiet Storm” versus a “Royal Storm,” a can’t-miss
featherweight matchup with a title shot on the line.
Two-time world title challenger Joet Gonzalez will take on
former junior featherweight world champion Isaac “Royal
Storm” Dogboe in a 10-round main event Saturday, July 23, at
Grand Casino Hinckley in Hinckley, Minnesota. Gonzalez will
put his WBO International belt on the line, with the fight
also serving as a WBC world title eliminator.
In the 10-round lightweight co-feature, undefeated contender
Giovanni “El Cabron” Cabrera hopes for a signature win
against the flashy Gabriel Flores Jr.
Gonzalez-Dogboe, Cabrera-Flores and undercard bouts will
stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+.
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Rapacz Boxing,
tickets starting at $35 go on sale Wednesday, June 15 at 10
a.m. CST, and can be purchased by visiting eTix.com.
“Joet and Isaac are guaranteed entertainment each time they
step through the ropes, and I have no doubt they will
combine for an action-packed main event,” said Top Rank
chairman Bob Arum. “With Cabrera and Flores in the
co-feature, this is a truly sensational summertime card at
the Grand Casino in Hinckley.”
Gonzalez (25-2, 15 KOs), from Glendora, California, is
considered one of boxing’s best uncrowned champions, a
10-year pro whose only defeats have come to Shakur Stevenson
and Emanuel Navarrete in separate bids for the WBO
featherweight world title. Gonzalez’s October 2021 decision
loss to Navarrete was considered one of the best action
fights of the year and did little to diminish his standing.
He is currently rated No. 1 by the WBO and No. 3 by the WBC,
which comes off the heels of his ninth-round knockout over
Jeo Santisima in March.
Gonzalez said, “The third time’s a charm, and I’m more
motivated than ever to have a world title around my waist.
Isaac Dogboe always comes to fight. The respect is there,
but on July 23, I am preparing to go to battle. I expect the
best version of Dogboe, and I will be at the top of my
game.”
Dogboe (23-2, 15 KOs), from Anyako, Ghana, burst onto the
world scene in April 2018 with his title-winning knockout
over Jessie Magdaleno. In his first title defense, he
blitzed Hidenori Otake in the opening round. Dogboe’s rapid
rise came to a halt with consecutive defeats to Navarrete,
but he reignited his career with victories over Chris
Avalos, Adam Lopez, and Christopher Diaz. The Diaz and Lopez
bouts — 10-round majority decisions — were toe-to-toe
barnburners that may serve as an indication what he’ll bring
against Gonzalez. A 2012 Olympian, Dogboe has royal lineage,
as his late grandfather, Torgbui Sri III, was the ruler of
the Anlo state in Ghana’s Volta Region. His return to boxing
royalty hinges on a victory over Gonzalez.
Dogboe said, “I have been tested against the very best, and
on July 23, we go to war against another top contender in
Joet Gonzalez. I am excited to be back in a main event as I
continue my quest to become a two-weight world champion.”
Cabrera (20-0, 7 KOs) inked a promotional contract with Top
Rank earlier this year and has notched decision victories
over Rene Tellez Giron and Elias Araujo to make it 20 for
20. Trained by Freddie Roach at Wild Card Boxing Club in Los
Angeles, Cabrera started boxing at 16 when he was inspired
by Roach’s most famous pupil, Manny Pacquiao. He was raised
mostly in Chicago and developed as a pro at the Emerald
Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington, where he headlined six
events. Following an October 2019 win in Chicago, he was
sidelined for more than two years due to promotional and
managerial issues. Since signing with Top Rank, Cabrera has
re-established his standing as a contender to watch. Flores
(21-1, 7 KOs), a 22-year-old from Stockton, California, saw
his momentum come to a temporary halt with a one-sided loss
last September to Luis Alberto Lopez. Less than six months
later, Flores survived a gut check to edge a majority
decision over Abraham Montoya. Prior to the Lopez loss,
Flores became only the second man to knock out former world
title challenger Jayson Velez.
Cabrera said, “I’m here to contend for the lightweight
crown. I’m still getting better, and I still have a lot to
prove. Gabriel Flores Jr. is a highly skilled fighter, but
I’m used to taking on this level of challenge. I know he’s
never been in with a fighter like me. His strategy against
me will only be a guess, a shot in the dark, but how can you
prepare for a style you’ve never seen? I’m going to train my
butt off out of full respect for my opponent, and the fans
will be the winners.”
“I am a different fighter at lightweight. The weight is no
longer an issue, and you’re going to see the same fighter
that knocked out Velez,” Flores said. “I like fighting
southpaws, so if Cabrera thinks I don’t have the strategy to
beat him, he’s going to be in for a rude awakening on July
23. I know what I need to do, and mark my words, I’m going
to win this fight in dominant fashion.”
The undercard is scheduled to include many of Top Rank’s
rising stars, including Italian heavyweight knockout artist
Guido “The Gladiator” Vianello (8-0-1, 8 KOs) in an
eight-rounder, featherweight prospect Haven Brady Jr. (6-0,
4 KOs) in a six-rounder, Milwaukee native Javier Martinez
(6-0, 2 KOs) in a six-round middleweight bout, and 6’9
heavyweight Antonio “El Gigante” Mireles (3-0, 3 KOs) in a
four-rounder against Minneapolis resident Dennys Reyes (3-2,
1 KO). Cleveland-born lightweight phenom Abdullah Mason
(2-0, 2 KOs) and fellow Clevelander, light heavyweight Dante
Benjamin Jr. (2-0, 1 KO), will represent “The Land” in
separate four-rounders. Benjamin Jr. will fight fellow
unbeaten Corey Thompson (4-0, 3 KOs), who hails from Coon
Rapids, Minnesota.
Four additional Minnesota natives will add some local flavor
to the card. Middleweight Antonio Woods (10-0, 8 KOs) is
scheduled to appear in a six-rounder, while heavyweight
Colton Warner (4-1, 3 KOs) returns in a four-rounder. And,
in an all-Minnesota heavyweight showdown scheduled for four
rounds, Cayman Audie (1-1, 1 KO) will do battle with Tommy
Matlon (2-1, 1 KO).
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