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04/18/2004 Archived Entry: "Gonzales Prevails but Ortiz Steals “Chicago’s Thunder"
Gonzales Prevails but Ortiz Steals “Chicago’s Thunder”
By Juan C. Ayllon
Chicago, Illinois: On the evening of April 16, 2004, as sidewalks outside teemed with short sleeved pedestrians enjoying season high temperatures in the 70’s, DePaul’s Athletic Center vibrated with a life of its own, as Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions put on another crowd pleasing fight card.
In what is becoming a trademark of his, undefeated junior welterweight prospect, Al “Speedy” Gonzales (13-0-1, 7 kayos), engaged in yet another scintillating bout in which he alternatively slugged, brawled, boxed and danced against a stolid and stubborn opponent who pressed matters and refused to succumb to Speedy’s arsenal. In the end, Gonzales’ efforts were enough to secure a unanimous decision, but not the crowd’s affections, as boos and whistles from the largely Hispanic crowd filled the hall. Gonzales won by scores of 80-72, 80-72 and 77-75. This writer scored the bout 79-74.
As advertised, his opponent, Rafael Ortiz (7-5-1, 7 kayos), was extremely durable. His was the prototypical Mexican style popular with the crowd: wade in, slug away, take your lumps and let the best man win. Bleeding from the nose for much of the fight, outboxed and out hustled, Ortiz inspired the crowd with his gritty and undying effort.
There were numerous bristling exchanges throughout, the difference being Al Gonzales’ superior punch output, hand speed and accuracy. Whereas Ortiz landed some jarring shots, many times, it appeared that Gonzales out-landed him three, maybe four punches to one. Moreover, Gonzales’ potent volleys of hooks, uppercuts and crosses generally appeared the crisper of the two.
Unfortunately, as one observer noted, Gonzales also ran more than he might have. To the crowd’s dissatisfaction, he also rose on his toes, circled and boxed a lot in between spirited skirmishes. In the sixth round, Gonzales was warned for a couple of body shots that strayed below the belt. Ortiz gestured several times to Speedy to get off his bicycle and mix it up some more, prompting a large cry of “Ortiz, Ortiz” from the crowd as early as the fifth round.
As it was, the fight ended with a rousing and furious exchange, eliciting a lusty and deafening roar from the crowd, which stood to its feet in appreciation.
After the fight, Al Gonzales granted the Cyber Boxing Zone a brief interview in the dressing room.
Juan Ayllon: How do you feel about the outcome of the fight?
Al Gonzales: Good, good, good! I feel I did, you know, I tried to knock him out. I tried to knock him out in the first round, but I couldn’t hurt him. I tried to get him downstairs, but I thought the ref wanted to take a point away.
JA: So, you boxed him more, using movement and angles?
AG: That’s what I’m trying. The trainer had me to do that. Myself, I stand there. I came out to hurt him. I cannot do nothing to hurt him, so I boxed him more.
JA: Would you do anything different if you had it to do all over again?
AG: It’s about the right style. I did what my trainer told me to do, so I did okay.
JA: Did he ever hurt you?
AG: No. Basically, that’s it. He thought he hurt me! [laughter in the room] Well, in the seventh round he got me with a body shot. He got me good. That’s what slowed me down.
JA: What did you think of Jesse Feliciano’s recent, TKO loss to Abdulaev [for the Vacant WBO Intercontinental Jr. Welterweight Title]? [Editor’s note: In Gonzales’ last fight, Feliciano gave him a difficult battle, garnering a controversial draw in the process.]
AG: That’s his fault! He’s crazy, jumping out the window without a parachute!
Manager, Pat Doljanin (interjecting): They heard [the word championship] belt and probably 10 grand and took the fight without giving it a thought.
AG: [laughing] Yeah.
JA: What’s next in terms of future opponents?
AG: We’ve got a little secret…
Another assistant, interjecting: Yeah. Call Pat [on] Monday and you’ll find out!
In previous action, middleweight bomber Miguel Hernandez , (8-1-0, 7 kayos), at 159 pounds continued his hot streak, winning his bout versus Lamont Johnson, (1-2-2, I kayo), 160 pounds at one second into the fourth round. The referee stopped the bout when Johnson refused to rise from his stool. An entertaining fight while it lasted, it raised some questions regarding Hernandez readiness to rise to another level.
Hernandez brings heavy hands to the battle, but appears confused when he’s cornered on the ropes. The experience seems not unlike that of an undefeated high school wrestler who, when put on his back for the first time at the collegiate level, struggles because he is not used to fighting from the bottom.
In this bout, Hernandez demonstrated superior punching power, dropping Johnson heavily in the first round with a left hook to the body and forcing Johnson to box, run and cover numerous times. Yet, Johnson fought back hard and even trapped Hernandez several times on the ropes. To his credit, Hernandez fought his way off the ropes with potent combinations.
Local welterweight sensation, Luciano Perez (6-0-0, 5 kayos) continued to impress, knocking down twice game and fiercely competitive Fred McGarrett Drayton (3-5-1) and stopping him 42 seconds into round two. Perez weighed 150 and Drayton, 148 ½.
Popular Trinidad Garcia (1-0-0) thoroughly outclassed and outboxed Edward Humes (4-30-4), who looked to pose, pot shot and—ultimately—survive. Behind a tight defense and a crisp one-two attack, Garcia won by unanimous decision, 40-36 (all). Both Garcia and Humes weighed 153.
In a spirited pro debut for both fighters, taller and lanky Tommy Pyle (133 lbs.) boxed well, scored a knockdown and won a unanimous decision over the shorter and busier Marty Lee Nunn, who appeared to have stepped off the pages of GQ. The two engaged in a bristling bout, winning cheers from an appreciative crowd.
Replies: 1 Comment made on this article
Great article, great fight. Gonzales has changed his style since the Gutierez fight. Hardcore mexican fight fans like their fights toe-to-toe. He didn't have a mark on his face after the fight. Show me a Mexican fighter who boxes, gives angles and movement and you'll hear boo's. I'm sorry, but Pipino Cuevas and the like are dinosaurs. The new wave of mex-american fighters, i.e., the Marquez bros, Gonzales and Bojado are becoming more and more prevalant.
Posted by KO Stratavarious @ 04/18/2004 03:07 PM EST
