After spending all of 2023 on the sidelines, former pound-for-pound star Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez has some grand ambitions for 2024. Levi Luna, probably the most dependable supply in Nicaraguan boxing, experiences that the 36-year-old will quickly have a comeback combat in his native Managua earlier than difficult for a bantamweight belt on a year-end Japanese present.
Gonzalez (51-4, 41 KO), who hasn’t fought since narrowly falling to Juan Francisco Estrada of their terrific rubber match two Decembers in the past, isn’t any stranger to transferring up in weight in pursuit of larger glory. He’d beforehand claimed titles at 105, 108, and 112 earlier than a 2016 tremendous flyweight debut noticed him hand Carlos Cuadras his first defeat.
The Land of the Rising Solar isn’t uncharted territory, both. He’s fought there 9 occasions earlier than, together with a 2013-2014 run that noticed Japanhost 4 of his 5 bouts.
The situation implies considered one of two opponents. The primary is WBA champion Takuma Inoue, who put down Jerwin Ancajas with a physique shot final weekend in his inaugural protection. Although Gonzalez will probably be much more undersized than common, that’s a really winnable matchup for him, as Inoue’s normal lack of energy and ostensible vulnerability to stress make for tempting targets.
The opposite is newly topped WBO champion Junto Nakatani, and as a fan of Gonzalez’s persevering with well being, I strongly advise towards it.
We’ll preserve you posted as this develops.
