Israel Gonzalez edges Sho Ishida for IBF mandatory position!
Israel Gonzalez (25-3, 11 KOs) earned another opportunity to fight for a world title defeating Sho Ishida (28-2, 15) by a hard-fought split decision (116-112, 115-113 for Gonzalez, 112-116 for Ishida) in an IBF Super Flyweight Eliminator.
A former two-time world title challenger, the 23-year-old from Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, Mexico was the aggressor from the onset. Knowing he was facing a taller and longer opponent who was intent on boxing, Gonzalez attacked with head and body shots and dominated the action through the first six rounds.
Fighting in his hometown of Osaka, the 28-year-old Ishida rebounded in the seventh as he hurt Gonzalez with a left hook to the body. He rallied during the second half of the bout, forcing the Mexican back in the tenth and opening up a cut over Gonzalez’ left in the eleventh.
Sensing he was behind on the scorecards, Ishida went all out for the knockout in the final round. However, Gonzalez kept his composure as he countered and did enough to seal the deal as Ishida’s rally came too late to win on the scorecards.
With the victory, Gonzalez is now the mandatory challenger for IBF super flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas. The two men have faced each other previously in February 2018 with Ancajas winning by the tenth round stoppage.
While giving praise to Ishida after the fight, Gonzalez stated his focus is to gain revenge against Ancajas.
“I wish to avenge my previous defeat by Jerwin Ancajas. Ishida was a much better and stronger opponent than I had expected.”
By: Michael Wilson
