Former WBO super bantamweight champion Isaac ‘Royal Storm’ Dogboe 24-2 (15) defeated former two-time world title challenger Joet Gonzalez 25-3 (15) by split decision at the Grand Casino in Hinckley, Minnesota on Saturday night.
Dogboe boxed well in the early rounds before Gonzalez came on in the fourth, making for a close and competitive contest the rest of the way through. Judges Tim Cheatham and Mike Fitzgerald both had the fight for Dogboe 96-94, while judge Patrick Morley saw the bout for Gonzalez by the same margin. Dogboe won the final round on all three judges’ scorecards to escape with the win.
The story of the fight is reflected in the CompuBox stats. Dogboe started fast and after the first five rounds held an 83-71 advantage in punches landed over Gonzalez. Despite the slow start, Gonzalez out-landed Dogboe 126-107 over the last five rounds of the fight. CompuBox’s final stats had Gonzalez edging Dogboe 197-190 in total punches landed, while Dogboe had the upper hand in power punches landed 164-162.
The fight was billed as a WBC featherweight title eliminator. Former WBC super bantamweight champion Rey Vargas 36-0 (22) was crowned the WBC 126-pound king earlier this month when he dethroned Mark Magsayo 24-1 (16) on points.
“I said to the people that my journey can be a Hollywood blockbuster movie, and I praise God always,” the 37-year-old Dogboe said.
“I’ve always seen [trainer] Barry [Hunter] as a very inspirational person, a father figure. He’s a person that when it seems like it’s all gone, he always has something to say to you. I really needed him in my corner. He was able to pull that extra strength in me out.
“I want to say thanks to Joet Gonzalez. He’s a true warrior. Whoever the champions are, they should watch out. The ‘Royal Storm’, I am back, baby!”
Gonzalez admitted it was a close fight and that he could have done more to get the victory, but still said he thought he had done enough to get the nod.
“Maybe I should’ve stepped on the gas a little bit more,” Gonzalez said. “He was the shorter fighter. I [had] more height and reach, but he wasn’t coming in. As soon I was pressing, he was backing up. I was landing some shots, so I knew the right game plan was to go forward. He wasn’t going to come forward to me, but you know, I guess it was a close fight.
“Close fight. I thought I won the fight. I buckled him, I believe, twice in the fight. I stunned him. He didn’t really land too many shots. I landed the cleaner, harder shots. I was pushing him back and he was holding most of the time. Roughing me and trying to stop me. But I thought I won the fight.”
