Arnold Khegai (22-1-1, 14 KOs) is forging a tougher-than-necessary path on his way to a major title shot, opting to face three-time world-title challenger Joet Gonzalez (26-4, 15 KOs) in a March 8 main event. Khegai, born in Ukraine but now fighting out of Los Angeles, ranks No. 2 with the WBO at featherweight and hopes to challenge Rafael Espinoza (26-0, 22 KOs) soon. Before he can do that, though, he needs to extend his six-fight winning streak against Gonzalez - a formidable but recent gatekeeper who’s endured losses in title bouts against Shakur Stevenson, Isaac Dogboe, and Luis Alberto Lopez.
Gonzalez has been out of action since September 2023, when he dropped a unanimous decision to Lopez. That’s the third defeat among four in his last seven starts, yet he remains a credible threat for any contender. For Khegai, it’s another chance to cement his place in the division after moving up from 122 pounds, where he suffered his only career loss to Stephen Fulton back in January 2020.
Also featured is Radivoje "Hot Rod" Kaladjzic (29-3, 21 KOs) in a ten-rounder against France’s Mickael Diallo (21-2, 18 KOs). Kaladjzic’s stock rose in defeat last August, when he gave David Morrell (11-0, 9 KOs) all he could handle at BMO Stadium, even if he ultimately came up short. Previously, the Florida-based Serbian was stopped in a 2019 IBF light heavyweight title challenge against Artur Beterbiev. Diallo enters the ring looking to make a stateside impression, especially given the tough road “Hot Rod” has traveled.
Rounding out the bill, Los Angeles-based Katsuma “El Cuete Japonecito” Akitsugi (12-0, 3 KOs) meets Nicaragua’s Winston Guerrero (22-1, 13 KOs) in a ten-round featherweight bout. Akitsugi has caught attention among local fans for his high-volume style, whereas Guerrero comes in with just one defeat and a desire to upset the unbeaten prospect.
Fight card:
▪️Arnold Khegai vs. Joet Gonzalez, 10 rounds, featherweight
▪️Luis Torres Valenzuela vs. Nicholas Walters, 10 rounds, lightweight
▪️Jesus Saracho vs. Luis Lopez, 10 rounds, welterweight
▪️Kelvin Davis vs. Chris Howard, 10 rounds, super lightweight
▪️Eros Correa vs. Jose Saant, 8 rounds, bantamweight
▪️Brandon McCarthy vs. Jose Rodriguez, 6 rounds, lightweight
▪️Joshua Anton vs. Tariq Green, 6 rounds, super welterweight
▪️Gabriel Muratalla vs. Frank Gonzalez, 6 rounds, super bantamweight
▪️Justin Viloria vs. Juan Centeno, 6 rounds, super featherweight
▪️Wanderley Pereira vs. Michael Nelson, 4 rounds, super middleweight
▪️Emilio Garcia vs. Jose Adolfo Madrigal Rodriguez, 4 rounds, welterweight
Watch this event live here: Watch
