Juan Francisco Estrada and Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez are hunting a blockbuster unification rematch – and Estrada told Gonzalez in the first ever episode of ‘Peleamundo’, which aired yesterday on Matchroom Boxing’s YouTube channel, that he is confident of settling the score if the pair can meet again.
Estrada (40-3 27 KOs) and Gonzalez (49-2 41 KOs) both regained their World champion status in stunning fashion in recent outings, with Estrada beating Srisaket Sor Rungvisai in a rematch to regain the WBC and Ring Magazine Super-Flyweight belts last April and ‘Chocolatito’ rolling back the years to rip the WBA strap from previously unbeaten Brit Kal Yafai in Dallas in February with a clinical ninth round KO win.
The pair met back in November 2012 as Gonzalez successfully defended his WBA Light-Flyweight title against Estrada in Los Angeles, and with both men holding World title straps, they told Jessie Vargas that they would love to renew their rivalry with higher stakes, and ‘Gallo’ confident of exacting a spectacular revenge.
“I’ve had three losses and I’ve avenged two of them,” said Estrada. “I haven’t been able to avenge my loss to Gonzalez yet because we never fought again, but hopefully this time around, I will win, and that loss will be avenged as well.
“I’m the champ. I have a lot of respect for him. It’s a big fight and we both deserve big purses.
Everything looks and sound good but it’s all about the money. We’re friends and both fighting for our families. I want to unify if I’m given the opportunity. I’ll fight whatever opponent is available. I know there will be some good fights made by the promoters.
“I don’t know Yafai personally, however I do know Roman, and he’s a great champion. I know he had a lot of support from the people of Nicaragua. I was happy for him because he’s such a humble person. Without a doubt I was with Roman Gonzalez in that fight.
“It’s been eight years [since the first fight] and I’m very excited for this fight. I believe the people really want to see it as well. I’m a great fighter. It’s going to be a great show. It’s going to be a better and bigger fight than the bigger weight classes.”
“I’m a lion in the ring,” said Chocolatito. “We put in the work to win but after we can be friends, and everything will go back to normal.
“It’s going to be a very good fight. Everyone talks before the fight but all that matters is the day of the fight. We both need to just demonstrate to the public that the lighter weight divisions can put on a good show. We’re the ones carrying boxing right now, the smaller weight classes, and when If I fight Estrada, it’s going to be historical.”