By Miguel Rivera
Former four division world champion Roman "Chocolatito" Gonzalez began the year as the WBC super flyweight beltholder, with an undefeated record, and holding the number one spot on most pound-for-pound lists.
By the end of the year, he suffered two career defeats - one of them by way of a brutal knockout - and now his career hangs in limbo.
His ring return is now being targeted for a date in April, according to his manager Carlos Blandon.
Blandon also ruled out some of the recent reports that a new trainer had been finalized for "Chocolatito" (46-2, 38 KO's) - after the Nicaraguan media reported that Gustavo Herrera had officially returned to the team.
"No, we have not yet confirmed who his trainer will be and therefore we do not have [the details set] for Román's next camp either," Blandón said to ESPN Deportes. "What we know is that he will tentatively return in the month of April in the United States or Japan.
Tom Loeffler, director of K2 Promotions, had commented a few weeks ago that Roman's return could be on the undercard of the rematch between Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin - if they reach an agreement for May 5.
In March of this year, Gonzalez lost his undefeated record and his WBC title to Srisaket Sor Rungvisai in New York City. A rematch was ordered by the WBC, and it took place in the fall, and saw Gonzalez get demolished in four rounds.
Rigoberto Garibaldi, who was coach of Rosendo Alvarez, said a few days ago that the Nicaraguan needed to improve his defense.
In the case of Gustavo Herrera, reports indicate that he has already been working with Román for the last few days in Nicaragua. Gustavo was already in the corner of Gonzalez when he conquered his first world championship, before being replaced by the late Arnulfo Obando.