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Superman versus the Hammer: A Few Words From Adonis Stevenson and Jesus Gonzalez before their Saturday Night Showdown in Montreal.

By Jeff Emond Jeffrey
© Photo Courtesy Robert Levesque – AR Photo Zone

 

On February 18, 2012, Adonis “Superman” Stevenson (16-1-0) faces Jesus “El Martillo” Gonzales (27-1-0) in an IBF super middleweight elimination bout for the organization’s number two spot in the division. For this main event bout, Stevenson will be trained by the legendary Emanuel Stewart. Both fighters are southpaw and eager to get it on. Stevenson is ranked number twelve in the world by Boxrec, while Jesus Gonzales ranks one position higher at eleventh. Fans should expect a very good fight as “Superman” and “the Hammer” scrap it out in pursuit of IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute.
TheBoxingExaminer.com

TheBoxingExaminer.com

Today, on a public training day, the Boxing Examiner caught up with both Stevenson and Gonzales for their thoughts on their upcoming matchup.

 

Adonis Stevenson;

 

The Boxing Examiner: Good afternoon Adonis, how are you?

 

Adonis Stevenson: I feel real good.

 

TBE: You recently parted ways with the Grant brothers to train with the legendary Emanuel Stewart. How did he improve your skills?

 

AS: First of all, everything is different in Detroit. The Kronk gym has the reputation of being one of the toughest in the world and, believe me, it’s true. I had a much more organized training camp, nothing is left to chance. Plus, it gave me the chance to spar with Andy Lee and Larry Sharpe and others strong southpaws. That was the major improvement, better sparring partners.

 

TBE: Stewart had to train IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko for his March 3rd fight against Jean-Marc Mormeck so he wasn’t available for all of your training. Did you feel left out in this situation?

 

AD : Not at all. Manny trained me most of my training camp and a very talented assistant of his, Derrick Coleman, took over in the last part of my training. Plus, Manny will be in my corner the night of the fight.

 

TBE : Many boxing fans wonder why you changed your trainer. What can you tell them?

 

AD: I wanted to improve my skills and my goal is to be champion of the world very soon. So, who better than Emanuel Steward? One of the main reasons is that I had trouble finding good and strong sparring partners to suit my southpaw style. In the Kronk gym, they have the best, believe me. Manny improved my foot movements, showed me how to cut the ring off, got me working much more with my jab, worked on avoiding being hit and being much looser when I attack. He really wanted to improve my defense, making me hard to catch, to be slippery and bite like a snake.

 

TBE: Is there any instability training first in Detroit and then finishing in Montreal?

 

AD : No, I like it that way. I gained experience from this situation. They said I was the first Canadian to last in the Kronk gym.

 

TBE: Jesus Gonzales is 2002 United States National Champion and was named the most outstanding boxer in the National tournament as an amateur. He’s also a very successful pro fighter and possesses eleven more fights than you. Along the way he earned a major knockout victory over Francisco Sierra last November to win the NABF super middleweight title. Gonzales also defeated your only conqueror, Darnell Boone. Would you say he represents the strongest opposition of your career?

 

AD: Most definitely, yes. He has a very impressive résumé, both in the pros and amateurs ranks. But I am ready for him. It’s a big challenge, because I’m closing in on the world title and it’s only natural that the fighters I will faces will be only of high caliber.

 

TBE: Gonzales is a southpaw like yourself. The last time you faced one was against Jermain Mackey in 2009. There is a saying in boxing that southpaws hate to face other southpaws. Are you concerned about that?

 

AD: I am aware of that and it’s true. Fighting another lefty is like doing everything backward or reverse, it’s very tricky, but good for my personal experience. Mackey was 6 ‘1 and Gonzales is 5’10, so it will be easier to adapt in the ring. That’s why sparring with Andy Lee, one of the top middleweights in the world and Larry Sharpe helped a lot. But you know, it’s the same for him. He will have to deal with the same situation Saturday night.

 

TBE: How will you fight him?

 

AD: Well, I noticed that he doesn’t move his head a lot, this will work to my advantage. On the other hand, he does have quick feet and hand movements. I am ready for him. I aim for a knockout victory, I don’t plan to give him time to find his rhythm in the ring, but I trained hard for a twelve round bout. If it goes the limit, I’m more than ready.

 

TBE: Thank you very much for your time Adonis and good luck!

 

AD: No problem and I hope boxing fans will come in large numbers.

 

 

The Boxing Examiner also had the opportunity to talk with Jesus “The Hammer” Gonzales

 

TBE: Good Afternoon Jesus! How are you feeling?

 

Jesus Gonzales: Very good! Thank you, I’m in the best shape of my life.

 

TBE: How did you prepare for Stevenson?

 

JG: I had a very good training camp in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, in high altitude to improve my cardio. I feel very confident about this fight and I believe I will win Saturday and it will be easy. I know how to fight him.

 

TBE: How do you plan to secure a win over your opponent?

 

JG: I will hit him in the face constantly with my jab to keep him away. I will box him using my feet and hand speed. I’ll stick and move. I’m very excited for this opportunity, fighting in Montreal is huge; there is so many boxing fans there.

 

TBE: Stevenson is a very strong southpaw. How will you deal with this on Saturday night?

 

JG: I’ve faced many left-handed fighters in the amateurs and at least four in my pro career, Craig Oxley, Javier Mendez, Chance Leggett and Durrell Richardson, that I remember. I am ready for another one. As for his power, he has a huge left hand, but he won’t be able to catch me in the ring, I’m faster than Stevenson.

He’s got one loss and I got one loss. But he lost to Darnell Boone and I kicked Boone all over the ring in 2006 and won a easy unanimous decision against him. I feel good and I will win this fight.

 

TBE : Thank you for your time Jesus and good luck.