Jonathan Gonzalez vs Gerardo Zapata Preview October 27th, 2023
WBO Light Flyweight Champion Jonathan Gonzalez of Puerto Rico will be defending his belt for the third time this Friday, October 27th when he takes on Gerardo Zapata of Nicaragua. The 12-rounder can be seen live in America on ESPN+ from Managaua, Nicaragua. Gonzalez last fought in November when he beat Shokichi Iwata by unanimous decision in Japan. Zapata last saw action in August when he battled to a 10-round draw with Azarel Villar for the vacant WBA Fedecentro Light Flyweight Title. Gonzalez beat Mark Anthony Barriga by unanimous decision in his first defence after winning it in October, 2021 when he beat Elwin Soto by split decision. He was supposed to defend the belt against Leyman Benavides but he pulled out due to illness and Zapata was scheduled to fight on the undercard.
Gonzalez vs Zapata Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Gerardo Zapata +600
- Jonathan Gonzalez -1000
My Pick
The 32-year-old Gonzalez is a southpaw who has 187 rounds under his belt since making his pro debut in 2011 following a fine amateur career. He stands 5-feet-2-inches tall with a 62-inch reach and enters the ring with a mark of 27-3-1 with 14 Ko’s. Since turning pro he’s also won the interim WBO Youth Flyweight Title in 2012 and the NABA Light Flyweight Crown in 2015. He also captured the the WBC Latino Flyweight Belt in 2015 and has captured his WBO NABO Title a couple of times.
His lone draw came against Michael Ruiz Jr in 2014 over eight rounds while his three defeats came at the hands of Kosei Tanaka by seventh-round stoppage in 2019, to Jobert Alvarez by sixth-round KO in 2016 and to Giovani Segura by fourth-round KO in 2013. The loss to Tanaka came in a shot at the WBO World Flyweight Crown. He’s been stopped in all of his losses so it’s fair to say Gonzalez has a suspect chin.
He’s also beaten the likes of Juan Alejo, Julian Yedras, Ricardo Rodriguez, Carlos Ruiz, Miguel Del Valle, Omar Soto and Danny Flores. Gonzalez isn’t known as a heavy puncher as 52 per cent of his wins have come by way of stoppage. He’s gone the distance in his last three fights and in four of his past five. Gonzalez has experience against top-tier boxers though and that should be an advantage for him this weekend.
Zapata is 29-years-old with a mark of 14-1-1 with 5 Ko’s and has boxed 83 rounds since making his pro debut in 2018 following his amateur career. He measures 5-feet-5-inches tall but unfortunately has an unlisted reach so is three inches taller than Gonzalez. As far as power is concerned, Zapata doesn’t possess much of a bang in his punches as just 35.7 per cent of his victories have been by stoppage.
His lone pro defeat came at the hands of Rene Santiago by way of second-round disqualification in December in a shot at the WBO Latino Light Flyweight Belt. He’s now winless in his last two outings as his last contest was the draw with Villar in August. Zapata’s biggest wins have come over the likes of Daniel Mendoza, Julio Mendoza, Bryan Castellon and Hector Herrera. Just nine of his 16 opponents have entered the ring with a winning record.
Prediction…
It’s hard to predict how a late replacement boxer will do but other than the height advantage, Zapata doesn’t appear to stack up against Gonzalez in any other area. He lacks power and that’s a bonus for the champion since his chin isn’t the greatest. I’m expecting Gonzalez’s experience and better power to prevail here as he should retain his title once again.
Zapata is fighting at home, but Gonzalez is the better boxer.
Play: Gonzalez -1000 @ BetOnline.ag
Check out my recent boxing betting picks to see my current form.
Gerardo Zapata betting • Jonathan Gonzalez betting