Humberto Gonzalez vs Michael Carbajal III

A change of method settled a rivalry that had begun with a knockout. Humberto Gonzalez retained his WBC and IBF world light flyweight titles by a majority decision over Michael Carbajal at the Monumental Plaza de Toros México in Mexico City on November 12, 1994. In the third meeting between them, the Mexican champion again chose movement and controlled exchanges over prolonged fighting at close quarters, taking the series by two victories to one.

Their first contest, in Las Vegas in March 1993, had established both the attraction and the danger of matching their punching power. Gonzalez knocked Carbajal down in the second and fifth rounds, only to be knocked out himself in the seventh. Carbajal thereby united the WBC and IBF championships in a bout named Fight of the Year by The Ring. Gonzalez recovered the belts by a split decision at the Forum in February 1994. Before their deciding contest, he had added victories over Armando Diaz and Juan Domingo Cordoba, while Carbajal had beaten Abner Barajas and taken the WBO championship from Josue Camacho. Only the WBC and IBF titles were at stake in Mexico City.

Carbajal pressed the action in the opening rounds and cut Gonzalez near his left eye in the third; the champion’s corner controlled the bleeding. The American had the better of the early stages, but Gonzalez refused to let that advantage draw him into a sustained exchange. Instead, he used lateral movement and quick entries and withdrawals, obliging Carbajal to keep adjusting his position before he could punch. The challenger wanted a contest fought within reach of his heavy hands. Gonzalez gave him brief opportunities, then moved away.

As the bout progressed, Gonzalez’s more economical approach became increasingly effective. He took the stronger share of the second half, scoring without remaining in front of Carbajal long enough to invite an extended reply. Both men showed considerable respect for the other’s power, and the exchanges lacked the sustained aggression of their first fight. Carbajal continued seeking the harder confrontation, but Gonzalez maintained the distance and rhythm that suited him. His task was to collect rounds while limiting the opportunities for the punch that had overturned their first meeting. The resulting contest was cautious, with the champion’s tactical success more evident than any prospect of a stoppage.

The restraint did not satisfy spectators expecting another hard battle. A later account recorded Julio Cesar Chavez leaving his ringside seat after the eighth round, an indication of the disappointment surrounding the action. Gonzalez nevertheless continued with the approach that had restored his championships in the rematch. Carbajal’s pressure could not consistently force him to stand and trade, and the fight completed its twelve rounds under referee Larry O’Connell. The verdict reflected the close but sufficient advantage Gonzalez had established: Bob Logist scored it 117, 114 and Alfred Asaro 116, 113 for the champion, while Harry Davis returned a draw at 114, 114.

Gonzalez’s victory improved his record to 42 wins, 2 losses, 0 draws. Carbajal left with 32 wins, 2 losses, 0 draws, both defeats inflicted by the same opponent. The deciding contest supplied neither the knockdowns nor the sudden reversal that had distinguished their first encounter. It confirmed instead that Gonzalez could change his tactics against a dangerous puncher and sustain that discipline over the full distance. Carbajal had won their most dramatic fight; Gonzalez won both subsequent decisions and retained the championships.

I remember these fights vividly because men this size rarely got the attention handed to the heavier divisions. Gonzalez and Carbajal helped change that. Their rivalry put light flyweights at the top of a pay-per-view bill and brought serious money into the division. They had the punching power and contrasting styles to make people want to watch.

For me, the third fight showed how much Gonzalez had learned from being knocked out in their first meeting. Carbajal wanted him within punching distance for longer, but Gonzalez kept moving sideways, stepped in to score and got away before the exchanges developed. Carbajal had early success, yet couldn’t consistently make the champion fight his fight. I thought Gonzalez deserved the majority decision.

I enjoyed the different problems these fights presented. The opener demanded recovery and finishing instinct; the decider demanded patience and control of distance. Gonzalez understood that giving Carbajal the fight he wanted was poor business. His discipline won him the series.