Boxed Into a Corner

With a blond tuft of hair and a bronze tan, he resembles a surfer more than a fighter.

His boxing style has been described as awkward. And whoever heard of a San Fernando Valley-born fighter competing for a world title?

P.J. Goossen, a punishing puncher who grew up brawling in the streets of North Hollywood, has spent much of his four-year professional career trying to prove he belongs in the ring. Finally, one way or another, he might no longer need to prove a thing.

Goossen, 26, will place his 16-0 record--and likely his career--on the line tonight when he meets Greg Lonon of Las Vegas in a 12-round bout for the International Boxing Organization junior middleweight title in the Warner Center Marriott hotel’s Grand Ballroom.

Goossen, the reigning state champion with 11 victories by knockout, will be facing his toughest opponent to date in Lonon, who is 16-6 with 10 KOs and is described by promoter Gerrie Coetzee as “a terrific fighter.”

Lonon and Goossen have one common opponent: Leroy Owens of Las Vegas. Goossen, inactive the previous four months because of a recurring hand injury, won a unanimous 10-round decision in his first televised fight last August in Las Vegas. Lonon recorded a first-round knockout in 1992.

“Now we’re going to find out if P.J. is for real,” said Coetzee, president of Top Ring USA and promoter of monthly fights at the Marriott. “With 16 wins and no losses, and being California state champion, it’s time for him to step up. If he beats this guy, we’ll have a star.”

For Goossen, who signed a promotional contract with Top Ring last year, a victory will make him, according to Coetzee, the first world title-holder born in the San Fernando Valley. More important, it will lead to more lucrative matchups for Goossen and, perhaps, assurance he is in the fight game to stay.

“My goal is to make enough money to retire,” Goossen said. “You don’t want to be at this game for very long.”

If Goossen defeats Lonon, Coetzee plans to pit him against former world champion Roberto Duran, probably in the fall in Las Vegas. A record of 17-0 with a championship belt to match also would raise Goossen’s stock overseas, creating the possibility of profitable matchups in Europe.

From there?

“The sky’s the limit,” said Coetzee, a former world heavyweight champion. “If he keeps his title and beats Duran, who knows? I’ve seen it happen. You get these deceiving fighters who don’t look good in the gym, but when you pit them in a fight, they always do what they have to do to win.”

Such a description fits Goossen, whose reputation is that of a puncher more than a technician.

Coetzee is calling tonight’s fight a “make-or-break” situation for Goossen, who is struggling to eke out a career. To progress Goossen must fight and defeat opponents of Lonon’s caliber. “If he loses,” Coetzee said, “you might as well find him another career.”

Goossen said he doesn’t like to speculate on his future. Yet he is calmly aware of the significance of tonight’s fight.

“Any world title you can get is a great step toward the goal you’re trying to get to,” Goossen said. “When I win, hopefully, it will mean [a fight with] Duran, which would be great. Lose? I don’t even think about it. If it happens, I’ll deal with it.”

In some ways, Goossen is happy to be in the gym and out of trouble.

Goossen, who was born in Panorama City and played football at North Hollywood High, turned to boxing seven years ago after a history of fighting outside the gym.

Goossen’s behavior during adolescence led to a 14-week stint in a juvenile detention center. Five years ago, he suffered a near-fatal injury when he was stabbed in the chest during a fight at a party.

“I went to a little get-together and I wound up with a knife in my chest,” he said.

Goossen still bears the scar from the knife, which penetrated 3 1/2 inches and nearly pierced his heart.

“All my life I’ve been fighting,” he said. “I’ve always pretty much felt I could do this, boxing. It was just a matter of dedication. This is the last hope, boxing.”

Pat Goossen, 53, who trains and manages his son, concedes Lonon is much tougher than any of P.J.’s previous opponents. A former boxer who retired at 29 because of injuries, Pat Goossen has brought his son along slowly. But the time has come to fight for a title, he said.

“I think it’s good he’s fighting someone so formidable,” Pat Goossen said. “I think he has been underestimated. He’s been panned. But he’s strong and determined.”

Goossen’s performances in his previous two fights have made few believers. After defeating Owens, he earned an eight-round unanimous decision over Eric McNair at the Marriott last September.

Goossen didn’t appear sharp in either bout, partly because of his hand. Plagued for the past 18 months by an injured tendon on the middle knuckle of his right hand, Goossen experienced pain while punching.

The injury, which Goossen said has healed, forced the cancellation of a scheduled bout at the Marriott in January.

Pat Goossen said his son also was slowed by a lingering virus that caused fatigue and stirred talk of retirement within the past year.

But P.J. has healed and he is prepared to box. The incentive of a title could make the difference.

“Just by fighting for a title, we’re going to see a different P.J.,” Coetzee said.