Joet Gonzalez is not giving up on his world championship ambitions despite three previous attempts that fell short against the likes of Shakur Stevenson, Emanuel Navarrete, and Luis Alberto Lopez. Rather than let those defeats break him, the 31-year-old Southern Californian heads into a high-stakes clash on Saturday in Long Beach, California, where he takes on WBO No. 2 featherweight contender Arnold Khegai at Thunder Studios.
Training has been extra challenging for Gonzalez, especially after the closure of his local gym and the end of his contract with Top Rank. But as he explains, he’s found creative workarounds—doing drills in makeshift setups at home and borrowing space from friendly gym owners like Robert Garcia. Through it all, he maintains that relentless drive to be a world champion, even admitting that each tough setback left him momentarily shaken, only to bounce back with more determination.
The path certainly hasn’t been easy. Gonzalez’s first title shot ended in a loss to then-unbeaten Stevenson, who made things personal by flaunting his relationship with Gonzalez’s sister. Later, he braved a cut in the second round against Navarrete, earning four rounds on two judges’ cards in a closely contested battle. The most painful defeat came via unanimous decision to Lopez last year - a moment Gonzalez calls “the hardest pill to swallow,” but one that hasn’t quenched his thirst for that elusive belt.
Next up, Gonzalez faces Khegai, a 32-year-old Ukrainian with a single loss to Stephen Fulton. A win for either man could line them up for a shot at IBF champion Angelo Leo, a stablemate on ProBox’s roster. For Gonzalez, it’s another make-or-break opportunity. He insists he’s “in it for the dream, not just the money,” and that he’s “willing to put it all on the line.” If he pulls through, the only question will be how soon he can make that fourth title shot a reality - and whether, this time, he finally brings home the belt he’s chased since age ten.
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