By Joaquin Trejo

Back in May of 2009, Toshiaki Nishioka, the featherweight champion of the WBC, came to Mexico to defend the title against Jhonny Gonzalez. At the time, the "bird flu" was crippling Mexico. On April 8, the shoe is on the other foot, with Jhonny Gonzalez heading to Kobe, Japan to face Hozumi Hasegawa for the WBC featherweight. The country of the Rising Sun has taken a lot of damage from a tsunami and an earthquake, which also caused some radioactivity, but the Mexican fighter has no fear of going to the country.

"The world is appalled by the misery that runs through Japan. I sympathize with my Japanese brothers and I will be there to fight for the many boxing fans," Gonzalez said.

Former world champion explained that for a moment he thought the fight would be postponed by the tragedy in Japan, although it still remains on April 8. The location was switched from Tokyo to Kobe, due to the natural disasters that affected the country.

"I have waited a long time for this fight. Boxing fans know what I went through to get to this point and I will not waste the opportunity. I'm pretty sure that I can come back to Mexico with the crown, established Gonzalez.