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Cloutier’s
Canada Corner
Yunieski Gonzalez: "I Have
The Weapons To Destroy Pascal"
By Daniel Cloutier
The Cuban Yunieski Gonzalez said to several journalists he
is more than confident to keep his perfect record Saturday
evening in the ring of the Mandalay Bay Arena in Las Vegas.
Just before the WBA, WBO and IBF light heavyweight
championship of the world opposing the Russian Sergey
Kovalev (27-0-1) to the IBF first contender, the French
Nadjib Mohammedi (37-3-0), Gonzalez (16-0-0) will be opposed
to the former WBC light heavyweight champion of the world,
the Montrealer Jean Pascal (29-3-1).
Kovalev and Mohammedi will fight in a 12 rounder, Pascal and
Gonzalez in a 10 rounder. Both fights will be televised by
HBO in USA.
Pascal will fight for the first time since his defeat by TKO
in the eight round against Kovalev March 14th at Bell Centre
in Montréal. For Pascal, a fighter of 32 years old, it was a
first lost before a fight’s limit.
“I was more than enthusiastic when my manager confirmed me I
was facing Jean Pascal in Las Vegas, said Gonzalez. I have
everything to gain in facing this big name. He is ranked
fifth contender by the WBC, seventh by the WBO and eight by
the WBA and the IBF, and he is a former WBC light
heavyweight champion opt the world. And Pascal has been
involved in six world championships bouts. This fight is my
springboard to reach the Top 10 in the world, a first major
step to get a chance to fight in a world championship fight.
I am positive I have the all the weapons to destroy Pascal.
I won’t be surprised if he takes his retirement after the
Saturday night. It will certainly be a great moment in my
career. Probably the greatest moment. I believe I am
deserving now to get my place in the «Top 10» in the world»,
and face the biggest names of the light heavyweight
division. I am working so hard to reach the world
championship of the 175 pounds division.”
Gonzalez won 12 of his 16 pro bouts by KO or TKO, and the
last seven one. He has the reputation to be an explosive
puncher, extremely strong physically, and he is a very
intense fighter. None of his last three opponents has been
able to pass the third round. Each one has been hurt
seriously in the first round. Gonzalez is actually ranked
12th contender by the WBC and 15th by the IBF. Not enough
for him.
Gonzalez’s manager, Joe DeGuardia, believes in the natural
talent of his fighter. In the amateurs, Gonzalez was
considered as one of top natural talent of the Cuban boxing.
“Yunieski is progressing constantly, said DeGuardia. He is
very close to reach the «Top 10»in the world, and no doubt
that this fight with Pascal is crucial for his next rating.
I am very exciting to know that Yunieski will dispute a so
significant bout, and I know he is himself very exciting to
take this challenge. Yunieski has a tremendous potential, he
is extremely ambitious, very determinate, and he is an
intense and spectacular fighter. I really believe my fighter
will be a major player on the international scene in the
years to come. He has everything to become a world champion
and a super star in the light heavyweight division.”
In pro boxing, Gonzalez has only 66 rounds of experience,
against 243 for Pascal.
Gonzalez never faced a world champion in pro boxing. Pascal
has been involved in six world championships fights.
“I got a solid experience in amateur international boxing,
said Gonzalez. But Saturday at the Mandalay Bay, I am sure
my talent, my determination, my power and my strong desire
to win will be crucial weapons in this bout. I never lost a
pro boxing bout and I am sure I will get out of the ring
with a perfect record.”
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