By James Blears
WBC featherweight Champion Jhonny Gonzalez and Jorge "El Travieso" Arce came face to party line, at the weekly World Boxing Council presser, where quips, one liners and lots of laughs were flying around at 100 MPH, prior to the serious business, when they clash in Los Mochis on October 4th.
Keen rivals Televisa and TV Azteca are combing, to give the fans this all Mexican fisticuff fiesta. Travieso of the gravel voice, and machine gun rapid verbal delivery, was in sparkling quick fire form, down a scratchy old line.
He acknowledged and relished that the odds are against him, saying that's really motivating him, and he stressed that this is the fight the fans want to see!
He also concedes he's nervous and eager to please fighting on home turf, and..."This is my place, it's in front of my people and I'm coming with all I've got!"
Jorge paused for a moment and also reflected: "In the ring we're rivals, but outside of it, we're friends and Jhonny is a gentleman."
As different as chalk and cheese, the quiet and thoughtful Jhonny was laughing at the sheer extrovert high octane entertainment Jorge was gushing. Laughing with him and not at him.
But he did pointedly say: "I've already been sparring two weeks with fighters similar in style to Jorge. I'm preparing very well and I'm going to win! I never underestimate any opponent, and no fight is easy, but this appears to be Jorge's last chance."
Jhonny says he wants another fight in December to close this year. He says that next year he 'll be moving up to the super featherweight division.
