by Rene Umanzor

Jhonny Gonzalez (52-8, 45KOs) acknowledged that he is waiting for his rematch against WBC featherweight champion Daniel Ponce de León (44-4, 35KOs), who snatched the title from Gonzalez with a technical decision on 15th of September at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

There was a rematch clause in their fight contract. Gonzalez will return on February 23rd against an opponent to be confirmed, and he is already working under the command of veteran trainer Ignacio "Nacho" Beristain. Ponce will defend the title against undefeated Jayson Velez on March 2 in New York.

"[Ponce] will have to give me the rematch because there is a signed contract. From what I understand, they did not want a second fight - but the contract stipulated that if I gave him the opportunity, and if he won, then he would have to give me a rematch when he makes his second defense of the title. It's simply fear coming from them, because they know that I will return even better," Gonzalez said.

Rene Umanzor covers boxing in Mexico for The Record.