WBA Super 115lbs champion Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez is closing in on a lucrative rematch and unification with WBC title-holder Juan Francisco Estrada, but he’s certainly not looking past namesake Israel Gonzalez who he meets in Mexico on October 23.
Nicaraguan maestro Gonzalez outpointed Estrada in a WBA light-flyweight defence in November 2012 and a return has been on the agenda ever since. Mexican Estrada (40-3, 27 KOs) will rematch Carlos Cuadras on the same card as the all-Gonzalez battle with the hope that the rivals emerge victorious to finally settle their score.
“Almost everything is already finalised [for the Estrada bout], some details are missing, but 80-90% [is decided] for that fight. It’s going to be a real good fight. In the end, that is the fight that we are both waiting for in order to secure good money and we will see what happens,” Gonzalez (49-2, 41 KOs) told ESPN Deportes.
“There are many plans, but we know that that plans could fall through. I am focused on this fight with Gonzalez [first]. Win this fight and good things will come. Israel González is not an easy opponent. We are not going to belittle anyone. We hope to get out of this well and see what can happen along the way and if the fight Estrada, that we’ve longed for will happen.
“I am better prepared than when I faced [Kal] Yafai [WTKO9 in February]. I stayed in the gym and took better care of myself. I have been preparing for this fight for three and a half months, I feel very strong and I feel like I’m going with everything. At this moment, it is difficult for someone to really beat me, I feel very strong. I am confident in the condition that I have and that is what motivates me to give more desire to the world of boxing.”
Still only 23, Mexican Israel Gonzalez (25-3, 11 KOs) is a capable performer who has already challenged for a world title on two occasions – falling short against IBF champion Jerwin Ancajas (LTKO10) and then WBA title-holder Kal Yafai (L12).
Main image: Roman Gonzalez drops Kal Yafai en route to winning the WBA Super 115lbs crown in February. Photo: Matchroom Boxing.