Getty Images/Global Images Ukraine. Joet Gonzalez
On the night of March 9, a boxing show from the Top Rank promotion company and the ProBox TV platform took place at the Thunder Studios arena in Long Beach (USA).
The main fight featured representatives of the featherweight division (up to 57.2 kg) – Ukrainian Arnold Khegai (22–1–1, 14 KOs) and American Joet Gonzalez (26–4, 15 KOs).
Khegai gave up the center of the ring, does not force the events, but constantly presses the opponent. Moves a lot on his feet, tries to impose a close fight, works on the body. Gonzalez uses the advantage in size, shoots back from a long distance.
The Ukrainian successfully defends himself, explodes in counterattacks. Both often clinch, trying to disrupt each other's rhythm. A slight advantage is on the side of Khegai, who hits more often and more accurately, but still fights cautiously and does not rush into thoughtless attacks.
Gradually the tempo of the fight increases – the boxers throw more punches, but there are still few dangerous hits. Both opponents successfully defend themselves. In the fifth round, a point is deducted from Arnold – the referee believes that he is too often and dangerously moving forward with his head down.
Gonzalez went forward in the sixth 3-minute period, landed a good hook. Tried to seize the initiative. Khegai combines a lot, connects an uppercut – a cut appears on the American's face.
Seventh round. The Ukrainian misses, blood flows from his nose. The opponent continues to develop the attack, easily gets closer, works in series – Arnold has to clinch a lot and move on his feet. Gradually, Gonzalez begins to change the course of the fight in his favor.
Towards the end of the fight, fatigue affects the boxers' actions – a lot of confusion and misses. The American initiates spectacular exchanges, the Ukrainian responds with counterattacks. Both often save themselves in the clinch. The gong signals the end of the tenth round, and with it the entire fight. The judges recorded a split decision victory for Gonzalez.
Joet Gonzalez (USA) – Arnold Khegai (Ukraine) – SD 10 (96-93, 94-95, 97-92)
sport.ua