By Haxel Ruben Murillo
Three division world champion Roman "Chocolatito" Gonzalez returned back home to Nicaragua and received a hero's welcome from thousands of fans who were waiting for him outside the Augusto C. Sandino Airport in Managua.
The WBC flyweight champion was greeted for painting his masterpiece on Saturday night with a ninth round stoppage of former champion Brian Viloria at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Saturday night. The fight was part of the Gennady Golovkin vs. David Lemieux HBO Pay-Per-View.
They were a little over three thousand fans at the airport, greeting the fighter who has become the hero of the entire nation.
"I am happy to return to my homeland. It was all worth the effort I've done with my team. Thank God, for he is the one who gives me strength. This fight is dedicated it to him. Thanks to this people of Nicaragua who has been praying for me, thanks to Comandante Daniel Ortega, the companion Rosario Murillo, and their children, who have also been watching me," Gonzalez said.
He was also greeted during a small ceremony held in the Protocol Hall Airport by Maurice Ortega, one of the sons of the president of Nicaragua.
Following that, he immediately got on a fire truck with his older daughter and a motorcade escorted him to the Place des Victoires, where he continued the celebration of the second best fighter in the history of Nicaragua and the first to gain the recognition of being ranked as the number pound for pound fighter in the sport.
"I'm excited and happy for the reception. In New York I also shared the moment with some Nicaraguan friends, it was very nice. I am grateful to HBO, which was the company that gave me the opportunity to fight on the card. Great things are coming. I don't who I will fight against next, but I will rest for now," Gonzalez said.