Gonzalez Retains WBC Belt With Caballero KO In Mexico

WBC featherweight king Jhonny Gonzalez kept hold of his title with a commanding performance against challenger Roinet Caballero last night at Centro Banamex in Mexico City.

Caballero, of Panama, came into the bout having gone 22-3 over the last seven years and had previously mounted a failed bid to unseat WBA featherweight champ Chris John in 2008.

Gonzalez brought far more big fight experience in the ring, having engaged in ten prior world title bouts during his reigns as WBC feather, WBO bantam and IBO feather champ along with unsuccessful attempts at the WBC super bantam belt.

Caballero represented the third challenge to Gonzalez's WBC strap, as the Mexico City man had already halted Tomas Villa and Rogers Mtgawa earlier this year after shocking Japan's Hozumi Hasegawa in April to win the title.

Once the bout began in Mexico City, Gonzalez went right to work, measuring Caballero with a jab that did the job of setting the challenger up for bracing left hooks and right hands along with a meaty body attack.

Caballero tried to produce an offense but was largely kept on the defensive by the champion's efforts and the Panamanian was soon in deep trouble.

The second round brought no end to Caballero's problems as Gonzalez stepped up his attack which culminated in a spearing right hand to the ribs that finished off the challenge of Caballero.

Gonzalez sees his record to 51-7 (45) while Caballero now stands at 31-11-1 (22).