Cain and Gonzalez clashed on the undercard of Nick Ball's WBA featherweight title defence against Brandon Figueroa in Liverpool on Saturday night. 

The contest was a WBC bantamweight title eliminator, meaning the winner would put themselves in a position to challenge world champion Takuma Inoue in the near future. 

The Ring

A cagey affair exploded into life in round eight when Gonzalez produced two knockdowns, with Cain saved by the bell in the closing seconds of the session. 

Cain however struck back in the ninth with two knockdowns of his own against Gonzalez, resulting in the Mexican being deemed unable to continue after being subjected to a flurry of punches. 

I won't eat as much food - Cain reacts to thrilling win

Speaking to DAZN's Dev Sahni after his win, Cain was feeling positive despite snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. 

However, the 29-year-old did admit he made an error in his diet after Friday's weigh-in by eating too much, and will not replicate this in future fights. 

"I’m feeling good Dev, ready to go a few more to be honest, but it was close," Cain began.

"I ate loads of food after the weigh-in, never again, never felt that before.

"The food was going, but it felt good, I’ve never been in a fight like that. I was born for this. 

"I’ll make sure my defence is on point and I won’t eat as much food."

The year 2026 may only be two months old, but Cain-Gonzalez is already a candidate for Fight of the Year.

Now the man from Liverpool is hoping a deal can be struck to face Inoue in what will be the Japanese man's first defence of the WBC bantamweight title.

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