Orlando Gonzalez fended off injury, illness and a late rally from Jorge Castaneda to earn his latest win.

The Puerto Rican southpaw rode a second-round knockdown all the way to the finish line for a split decision win in a terrific ten-round junior lightweight contest. Judge Rose Lacend (95-94) rewarded Castaneda’s late surge with a one-point win, overruled by judges Tito Wilgo (96-93) and Rodolfo Aguilar (97-92) for Gonzalez in their ProBox TV main event Wednesday evening at Whitesands Event Center in Plant City, Florida.

Gonzalez jumped out a strong start and nearly had Castaneda down in the opening round. The Puerto Rican southpaw was dialed in with his left hand, which repeatedly snapped back the head of Castaneda in the first three minutes of action.

Castaneda was unable to avoid the canvas in round two. Gonzalez connected with a winging hook to set up a looping left hand that produced the bout’s lone knockdown. Castaneda beat the count and survived the round.

That nearly proved to be Gonzalez’s undoing.

Castaneda eventually found a home for his right uppercut and never pardoned the body. Gonzalez was clearly affected by the downstairs attack and Castaneda wasn’t going anywhere.

Gonzalez enjoyed a momentum shift in round six. The left hand once again landed with regularity. Castaneda’s head snapped back after taking a clean shot upstairs but steadied himself to finish the round strong.

A pivotal moment came late in round seven. Castaneda imposed his will on Gonzalez, who was subsequently instructed by his corner to ease off the gas in round eight to preserve himself for a strong finish. The strategy nearly backfired as Castaneda was relentless with his power shots both upstairs and to the body underneath Gonzalez’s guard.

Gonzalez used every inch of the ring in rounds nine and ten but took the time to stand and trade as well. He was at his best during those moments, which prompted a bit of trash talk at the end of round nine after a fiery exchange.

Castaneda went right back to work in the tenth and final round in hopes of overcoming an early deficit to pull off the upset. Gonzalez was hurt on several occasions and used more movement as Castaneda continued to pound his midsection when the action was pushed to the ropes.

The late surge by Castaneda was only enough to pull ahead on one card. He fell to 16-3 (12KOs) with the second loss in his last three fights but most certainly earned another TV date with the performance.

Gonzalez escaped with his second straight narrow win on a ProBox show. He advanced to 22-2 (12KOs) with the victory, which came four months after a disputed unanimous decision over Ramiro Cesena on July 26 in Kissimmee, Florida. Wednesday’s feat marked his fourth straight win since losses to Misael Lopez and Robeisy Ramirez—the latter now the WBO featherweight champion.

Boxing Scene learned that Gonzalez suffered a hand injury during the fight and entered the evening feeling under the weather. However, he did not at all consider withdrawing from the first of a multi-fight deal inked with the platform earlier this month.

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for krikya360.com. X (formerly Twitter): @JakeNDaBox