Isaac Dogboe edges Joet Gonzalez in thrilling 10 rounder, Giovanni Cabrera punishes Gabriel Flores Jr.

Saturday night, Top Rank Boxing took their show to the quiet rural setting of Hinkley, Minnesota, an hour or so outside Minneapolis. A possible world title shot was on the line for two-time world title challenger Joet Gonzalez and former junior featherweight world champion Isaac Dogboe in the evenings 10-round main event.

In the co-feature, undefeated lightweight Giovanni “El Cabron” Cabrera faced off against one-time defeated Gabriel Flores Jr. The winner of this bout was looking to move from serious prospect to serious title contender.

Main Event:

Dogboe, 24-2, 15 KOs, from Anyako, Ghana, raised a few eyebrows four years ago with his world title-winning knockout over favored Jessie Magdaleno. After defending the title, he lost it to Emanuel Navarrete but has since rebounded with three victories.

Gonzalez, 25-3, 15 KOs, is ready and deserving of his third world title shot. A talented boxer/puncher, his only defeats have come from the ultra-talented and tough Shakur Stevenson and Emanuel Navarrete in separate shots at the WBO featherweight world title. Gonzalez is rated No. 1 in the WBO rankings.

The bout was a great back and forth bomb fest that had both supremely conditioned fighters letting it all hang out for the entire ten rounds. While Dogboe may have started a little faster, in the end, there wasn’t a lot to separate these two non-stop punchers. The fans and viewers were the real winners, but according to the judges, it was 96-94 twice for Dogboe, while Gonzalez took it 96-94. Great fight!!

Co-feature:

Cabrera vs. Flores Jr., ten rounds, lightweights

Cabrera (21-0, 7 KO’s) under the direction of trainer Freddie Roach, at Wild Card Boxing Club in Los Angeles, with the guidance of manager Steve Feder, signed with Top Rank earlier this year and is looking to take the place of Flores as the title bound, Top Rank young gun to watch. Flores, 21-2, 7 KO’s, had no intention of relinquishing that spot. There was a lot on the line for both fighters in this bout.

Cabrera came out and dropped Flores with his first shot, floored him later in the round, again in round five, and punished him throughout the fight. While Flores, as brave and tough as they come, did have some spots of success, in the end, he came out on the wrong side of a lopsided 98-89 decision. Cabrera was the bigger fighter in all aspects Saturday night. The southpaw hurt Flores numerous times. Flores showed grit and resolve but not the physical strength to buzz Cabrera.  

What is next for both? Cabrera has opened the door to some offers that manager Steve Feder will work on. For Flores, hurt too many times for my liking in the bout, and 1-2 in his last 3, he and his team will have some difficult questions to ponder as they debate the future. 

UnderCard:

Javier Martinez WUD 6 Pachino Hill, middleweight

An interesting fight. Hill came into the bout undefeated and loaded with confidence. Martinez, also undefeated, went about his business in a more quiet way. Once in the ring, Hill attempted to tag Martinez with powerful shots. Martinez, a southpaw, cooly worked his jab and used the ring. Hill had pockets of success, but Martinez was more consistent.

Haven Brady Jr. WUD 6 Aaron Echeveste Lopez, featherweights

Brady did everything but stop crafy veteran Lopez. 

Guido Vianello KO 4 Rafael Rios, heavyweights

The big Italian clubbed Rios with blows until referee Tyrone Roberts stopped the bout. 

Colton Warner WUD 4 James Barnes, heavyweights

Abdullah Mason TKO 1 Nelson Morales, lightweights

Antonio Mireles TKO 1 Dennys Reyes, heavyweights

Dante Benjamin Jr. TKO 1 Corey Thompson, light heavyweights

Antonio Woods TKO 1 Darryl Jones, middleweights

Cayman Audie W UD 4 Anthony Garrett, heavyweights

Additional fight information added by John J. Raspanti.