It was a triumphant return for among the best little large males within the historical past of the game.
Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez secured his first win in additional than two years as he stopped Colombia’s Rober Barrera within the tenth spherical. The previous four-division titlist scored two knockdowns as a part of a robust second half surge. A closing flurry of punches had Barrera trapped, which pressured the stoppage lower than a minute into the tenh spherical Friday night from Polideportivo Alexis Arguello in Managua, Nicaragua.
Gonzalez (52-4, 41 knockouts) obtained a hero’s welcome for his first combat at house in additional than 9 years. The legendary determine hadn’t fought in Nicaragua since 2015 and in his Managua hometown since a Sept. 2013 win over Francisco ‘Chihuas’ Rodriguez Jr.
It was additionally the primary combat wherever on this planet for Gonzalez since his slender loss to Juan Francisco Estrada of their Dec. 2022 rubber match. The 19-month ring absence was evident within the early rounds, as Gonzalez struggled each along with his timing and Barrera’s aggression. Barrera (27-6, 17 KOs) was content material to throw warning to the wind, whereas Gonzalez fought in spurts and landed the extra telling blows.
Barrera pressured a frenetic tempo within the second spherical. Gonzalez waded out the storm and slowly took over the combat starting within the third spherical.
From there, Barrera may solely present a courageous coronary heart and a sturdy chin.
Gonzalez cornered Barrera and landed hooks to the physique and straight proper fingers upstairs. Barrera took the pictures however his intuition to reply was suppressed as he confirmed indicators of damage and tear.
Barrera was in hassle all through the seventh spherical however managed to keep away from the canvas. He wasn’t as lucky within the eighth. Gonzalez landed a depraved physique shot to supply a delayed response knockdown. Barrera beat the rely however was pinned towards the ropes as Gonzalez launched a barrage of energy pictures till the bell.
Gonzalez had Barrera in dangerous hassle in the beginning of the ninth. Barrera was trapped in a nook, the place Gonzalez landed a sequence of punches upstairs. Two proper fingers and a left hook despatched Barrera to the canvas, sufficient to seemingly finish the combat. The referee as soon as once more allowed the motion to proceed as soon as Barrera made it to his toes. Gonzalez went again on the hunt however as soon as once more ran out of time.
Barrera was three minutes from listening to the ultimate bell however couldn’t make it exterior the primary minute. Gonzalez as soon as once more lower off the ring and had his manner along with his courageous foe earlier than the referee rescued Barrera from additional punishment.
The win was the primary for Gonzalez since his Feb. 2022 near-shutout of Julio Cesar Martinez in San Diego, California. The objective now could be to pursue a fifth divisional title at bantamweight.
Additionally abruptly in dialogue is a possible superfight with longtime good friend Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez, The Ring 115-pound king and No. 5 pound-for-pound fighter. The 2 have been beforehand by no means on board for such a gathering—Rodriguez views Chocolatito as a ‘large brother. Nonetheless, Gonzalez is receptive to the thought however just for the proper worth.
The bout aired reside on ESPN+ atop an occasion co-promoted by Teiken Promotions and All Star Boxing, Inc.
