Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez (proper) faces off in opposition to Rober Barrera (left) – Photograph by Jairo Cajina/All Star Boxing
There may be nothing like a homecoming struggle, even for Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez.
Gonzalez, among the best fighters of this technology, will sq. off in opposition to Rober Barrera Friday night time on the Polideportivo Alexis Arguello in Gonzalez’s hometown of Managua, Nicaragua. The ten-round struggle will stream reside on ESPN+ in the USA and on ESPN Knockout (9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. PT).
At Thursday’s weigh-in, Gonzalez weighed in at 116.8 kilos. Barrera got here in at 117 kilos.
The occasions have generated a buzz all through Managua and the encircling areas. A sell-out crowd is anticipated Friday night time for the cardboard that will probably be co-promoted by Akihiko Honda and Tuto Zabala, Jr
Gonzalez (51-4, 41 knockouts) has not fought in Managua since a knockout win over Valentin Leon in February 2015. Because the win over Leon, Gonzalez, at the moment the WBC world flyweight titleholder, would win world title belts at 115 and 118 kilos.
The 37-year-old is happy to struggle earlier than a hometown crowd after placing in a number of weeks’ value of coaching and sparring in Coachella, California.
Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez – Photograph by Jairo Cajina/All Star Boxing
“There is no such thing as a straightforward opponent. Everybody is nice,” mentioned Gonzalez at Monday’s press convention to kick off weeklong festivities, which included an open exercise at a mall on Tuesday and one other press convention Wednesday. “He’s an opponent who isn’t scared and may be very hungry. I hope to God every little thing seems properly (Friday). We wish to give an awesome struggle to the followers.”
In his final bout in December 2022, Gonzalez misplaced by shut majority resolution to Juan Francisco Estrada. The struggle was the ultimate of three motion bouts, with every profitable one previous to the rubber match.
Satirically, Gonzalez and newly-crowned Ring junior bantamweight champion Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez sparred one another previous to Rodriguez stopping Estrada on June 29.
Each are promoted by Honda, however Gonzalez is open to a struggle in opposition to Rodriguez.
“It will likely be an important struggle,” mentioned Gonzalez, who received his first world title belt in September 2008. “I’ve at all times mentioned, on the finish of my profession, (preventing) a legend like ‘Bam’ would permit me to earn an awesome amount of cash.”
Gonzalez, who’s educated by Marcos Caballero and managed by Carlos Blandon, has talked about preventing for a world title belt at 118 kilos in current months. Gonzalez notched his final win in March 5, defeating then-WBC flyweight titleholder Julio Cesar Martinez by unanimous resolution. Martinez stepped in to struggle Gonzalez after Estrada, the unique opponent, needed to again out after testing constructive for COVID-19.
Barrera (27-5, 17 KOs), who resides in Monteria, Colombia, stopped journeyman Victor Berrio within the second spherical of his final bout on December 17. Barrera has received his final three fights since a split-decision loss to Pablo Carrillo in July 2022.
The 31-year-old challenged then-WBA world junior flyweight titleholder Ryoichi Taguchi in July 2017, shedding by knockout in spherical 9.
Additionally on the cardboard, Kevin Vivas (7-2, 2 KOs), who additionally resides in Nicaragua, will face fringe contender Azael Villar (20-3-4, 15 KOs) of Panama in an eight-round bout.
Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has lined boxing in Southern California and overseas since 2000. Francisco additionally covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He might be reached at [email protected]
