Asley Gonzalez talks career ahead of Dec 12 Mary Romero fight

by Phil Jay – WBN

WBC super flyweight champion Asley Gonzalez opens up to World Boxing News on her career rise ahead of a return on December 12.

Gonzalez, 31, aims to improve her 16-2 record after signing to fight Mary Romero at the closing event for the forthcoming WBC Convention in Hamburg. Boxing promoter Mehdi Ameur confirmed to WBN that the event would occur at the Grand Elysée in Rotherbaum.

Hailing from Mexico, Gonzalez is riding a six-fight winning streak and aiming to secure a legacy after turning professional at 23. Gonzalez has a remarkable story, considering she only discovered the sport at 22 and entered the paid ranks after two amateur contests.

Despite gaining experience on the job, most of her opponents were swept aside until her first loss in 2019 when entering the world-class level. Despite a couple of setbacks, ‘Chiquita’ became a world champion via a unanimous decision against a solid champion against Lourdes Juarez, the younger sister of famous Mexican superstar Mariana “Barby” Juarez. Gonzalez followed up the October 2022 victory five months later by winning a rematch.

Following a spell out of action, Gonzalez returns to battle Spanish challenger Mary Romero and is sure she can build further on her humble beginnings.

“I had a very tough childhood,” Asley told World Boxing News. “As a child, I used to play soccer just for fun because it was my only opportunity to play sports at elementary school.

“When I grew up, I had never heard about Julio Cesar Chavez or other Mexican boxing stars.”

Gonzalez was born in El Jicote, a small village in Tepic [capital city of Nayarit state, in western Mexico]. She was raised by her older sister, Abigail, and says she had to leave home early to earn a living.

“One day, I left my hometown at the age of 15 and set out on the road towards Culiacan [Sinaloa] to work as a helper in the house of a family living there. When I turned 22 years old, I returned to Tepic with the money I saved,” she outlined. “One of the first things I did was to look for my old friends to play soccer in a local amateur league. That way, I spent time playing sports for two months.

“One day, when I came back home, another girl from the same neighborhood invited me to go to a gym where she was training in boxing. It was a completely new world for me. As soon as I entered the gym, I felt a special emotion, a kind of electricity, and immediately fell in love with boxing.”

At that gym, sponsored by the local authorities, Asley met Francisco Bracamontes, a boxing trainer she calls Yiyo. He began to teach her patiently and became her inspiration.

Bracamontes remains her head coach and is by her side today.

“I had only two fights in the amateurs. After just three months of training, encouraged by Yiyo, I contended in an official amateur tournament, the National Olympics. After passing the first round at featherweight, I faced a taller and more experienced opponent. I put up a very competitive fight.

“All I had learned until that moment was repeatedly going forward and throwing punches right. I landed good shots of my own at my opponent. I lost that fight but felt so good myself. It was enough to decide, along with Yiyo, to start my career immediately as a prizefighter.”

Since then, Asley has modeled herself on her favorite fighters, Jackie Nava and Julio Cesar Chavez. She now wants to impress under the significant spotlight of a WBC Convention event.

“At this time, I’m ready to take any challenge,” she said. “I want to give my best in every fight to please the public. I like to come to fight, to put up good fights.

“My stile is I like to exchange leather but obviously stay out of the way of my opponent’s punches. I learned many things in my fights against Lourdes Juarez. She is a technician and a very good fighter, but I was able to handle and defeat her based on my natural strength through relentless pressure.

“I admire Jackie Nava’s nice boxing style, the way she dodges and throws many punches. Now, I try to be myself a little faster, throwing more punches without losing my power and strength.

“I desire to please the boxing fans around the world. This is why I can not wait to display my abilities before the 62 WBC Convention attendants from countries all over the world.

“I respect Mary Romero, my challenger, but I’m sure that my arm will be raised in victory when the fight comes to an end,” concluded Gonzalez. –  https://www.worldboxingnews.net/2024/11/07/asley-gonzalez-talks-career-dec-12-mary-romero/