Boxing News 2015: Roman Gonzalez Proves Why He Is the New Pound-for-Pound King
Unbeaten Nicaraguan boxing champion Roman Gonzalez proves why he is The Ring's new pound-for-pound king when he defeated former two-division titlist Brian Viloria on Oct. 17 at the Madison Square Garden in New York.
"Chocolatito" retained his World Boxing Council flyweight crown by successfully wiping out the power of the "Hawaiian Punch" via a ninth round stoppage victory on Saturday, Boxing Scene noted. Gonzalez' bout against the Honolulu-born fighter was his third triumphant flyweight defense and his 10th consecutive knockout victory. The 28-year-old undefeated boxer now has 44 wins with 38 knockouts to boot under his name, showing he rightfully belongs in the elite circles of top pound-for-pound boxers.
The Filipino-American fighter initially felt the heavy hands of the younger opponent when he reportedly got knocked down on the third round.
The former four-time world champion gracefully accepted defeat via a post on Twitter.
The 34-year-old boxer admitted that he was shocked by his foe's boxing skills, contrary to what he expected and prepared for, The Ring noted.
"Roman is a tremendous fighter.I have nothing but respect for him. I had prepared for a different Roman and he surprised me with his defense and his speed," Viloria said.
However, the challenger would want another shot with "Chocolatito," now that he knew how he fights.
"I do feel like the fight was stopped prematurely, I feel good and can keep going. If I had an opportunity to take him on again I would. I feel like I learned a lot today and would use that for the next time around," Hawaii's pride added.
Yet, it may be a long shot to have another battle with Gonzalez anytime soon. Arnulfo Obando, "Chocolatito's" trainer shares that his fighter is also focused on being the first Nicaraguan boxer to sport four world championships belts ever, a separate Boxing Scene article informed in September.
Gonzalez told World Boxing News that he anticipates a rematch with World Boxing Association super flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada, whom defeated in November 2012 in Los Angeles via a unanimous decision, per BoxRec.
It looks like the flyweight titlist feels he is ripe enough to secure another crown from a higher weight division, as hinted by his trainer on another Boxing Scene report.
Aside from a fourth world championship crown, Gonzalez also aims to surpass the 49-0 win-loss record of boxing greats Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Rocky Marciano, per another report from Boxing Scene.
"I really believe that I can [break it], given the conditions that we have...and the many fights that are going to come after this fight, if we keep doing the best job we can - we can achieved [sic] great things," Gonzalez said.
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