Jousce Gonzalez closed out a productive 2022 campaign with his toughest test to date.

The rising lightweight prospect bumped off his most established pro opponent, claiming a ten-round, unanimous decision win over former title challenger Ivan Cano. Judges David Soliven (97-93), Rudy Barragan (98-92) and Thomas Taylor (98-92) all scored the contest for Gonzalez in their DAZN-aired preliminary bout Saturday evening at Commerce Casino & Hotel in Commerce, California.

Gonzalez has grown accustomed to early nights, as he stopped his previous three opponents ahead of Saturday’s clash. The 27-year-old lightweight from Covina, California wasn’t in a hurry against the more experienced Cano, patiently boxing and allowing the aggressive Mexican slugger to come forward. Cano targeted the body and connected with a right hand upstairs, which Gonzalez took well and later responded with left hooks.

A fun two-way exchange broke out towards the final minute of round two. Gonzalez worked his uppercut to set up left hooks to the chin of Cano, who punched his way out of trouble with winging right hands and left hooks over the top. Gonzalez showed a sturdy chin but wisely made a defensive adjustment to avoid a repeat sequence.

Gonzalez threatened to pull away with clean boxing, before Cano heeded the old-school advice from his corner to turn it into a dogfight. The former title challenger—who lost a twelve-round decision to Jorge Linares in a 2015 WBC lightweight title fight—was able to score with right hands in round five, a round which saw Gonzalez frequently fight out of a southpaw stance.

Cano continued to play the role of aggressor, though to a fault. The 35-year-old was warned for a headbutt which caused a cut over Gonzalez’s right eye in round eight. Blood streamed down the side of Gonzalez’s face, though the California native was unbothered by the wound.

The reaction from his corner was another matter. Jose Gonzalez, Jousce’s father and head trainer, threatened to stop the fight if his son didn’t change the course of the fight and properly carry out his instructions.

There was little chance of his following through, although it lit a fuse under the rising lightweight who let his hands go at the start of round nine. Gonzalez went past eight rounds for the first time but quickly adapted to entering uncharted territory. He landed enough shots to capture the attention of Cano, who was forced to play defense before rallying with a pair of right hands inside the final 30 seconds of the round. 

Gonzalez came forward and threw in combination throughout the tenth and final round. Cano (26-11-2, 16KOs) sat back in the pocket, allowing his younger opponent to come forward as he frequently responded with counter right hands. Gonzalez stayed the course and dodged a final right uppercut by Cano just before the bell.

In addition to his first ten-round distance bout, Gonzalez was forced to go to the scorecards for the first time in nearly sixteen months. The three-fight knockout streak came to a close, though Gonzalez remained unbeaten with the win.

Headlining the show, Guadalajara’s Raul Curiel (11-0, 9KOs) faces fringe welterweight contender Brad Solomon (29-5, 9KOs) of Douglasville, Georgia in a scheduled ten-round bout.

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for krikya360.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox