Roman Gonzalez Still Has More To Give After Stunning Stoppage In Homecoming Bout
Roman Gonzalez received the hero’s welcome he so richly deserved on Friday night when the future Hall of Famer returned to Nicaragua to fight in front of his home fans for the first time in nine years.
Gonzalez (52-4-0 42 KO) admitted pre-fight that he was desperate to put on a show for his fans, and in front of a packed-out crowd at the Polideportivo Alexis Arguello in Managua, Nicaragua’s capital and Gonzalez’s hometown, the former four-weight world champion duly delivered.
‘Chocolatito’, at the age of 37 and after 19 months of inactivity following a second defeat to Juan Francisco Estrada in his past three fights, secured a 10th-round stoppage victory over Rober Barrera (27-6-0 17 KO) to prove that he still has plenty to give.
That the fight was his first at bantamweight, as Gonzalez chases a world title in a fifth weight class, certainly suggests the Nicaraguan will not be hanging up his gloves any time soon. And why would he after such an impressive performance?
The home hero actually started the bout quite slowly as Berrera attempted to get on the front foot from the opening bell and throw punches at volume, even if few landed or had much impact. However, Gonzalez came to life in the final minute, landing four crisp shots – a left hook to the body, a left to Barrera’s temple, and two straight right hands – to get his opponent’s attention.
Gonzalez Delights Home Fans
It was a similar story to start the second round, although this time, Gonzalez started to find regular success by splitting Barrera’s guard and snapping back the Colombian’s head. By the end of the third, Chocolatito had his opponent under pressure after a flush shot to the jaw had Barrera backing up onto the ropes. By now, the partisan crowd was fully involved and cheering on their man.
An early night’s work looked on the cards at that stage, but Barrera came out for the fourth determined to make it competitive. He had Gonzalez backing up and covering after applying some effective front-foot pressure, yet once again the Nicaraguan burst into life during the final minute, pushing Barrera back against the ropes with several spiteful shots.
The fifth was arguably the round of the night as it descended into a firefight, with both fighters standing and trading – and it was Gonzalez who enjoyed far more success. By the time they made their way back to their respective corners, Chocolatito had landed no less than 10 or 12 right-handed power punches. How Barrera was still standing is testament to his heart.
Vociferously supported by the fans, Gonzalez was now in total control and he continued to find his target throughout the sixth and seventh rounds. The damage was starting to accumulate and he delivered his first knockdown in the seventh with a crunching left hook to Barrera’s body.
Barrera was down again in the ninth following a Gonzalez barrage, but he somehow once again staggered to his feet. As the fighters entered the final round, the end was imminent for Barrera, with TV commentators even calling for referee Ramon Gonzalez to step in and call it.
World Title Shot Beckons For Chocolatito
Desperate to hear the final bell, Barrera fought on like a warrior, but the referee eventually stepped in with a minute remaining of the 10th to end the onslaught and award Chocolatito a thrilling and fully deserved stoppage victory.
The next stop now for Gonzalez is surely a world title fight and to break Japan’s stranglehold on the bantamweight division. WBC champion Junto Nakatani defends his title against Vincent Astrolabio on July 20, so Gonzalez could feasibly fight the winner.
There is also WBA champion Yoshiki Takei, who won the title with a points win over Jason Maloney in May and is yet to book his next bout. Similarly, IBF champion Ryosuke Nishida, who also claimed the belt with his own points victory against Emmanuel Rodriguez in May.
And finally the WBO champion Takuma Inoue, the younger brother of undisputed super-bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue who successfully defended his belt against Sho Ishida, also in May.
With all four world champions having fought recently and seeking their next title defenses, Gonzalez will surely be firmly in the frame for a shot. Based on his performance in Managua, the Nicaraguan will like his chances of becoming a five-weight world champion and further enhancing his legacy.
