By Steve Kim
On September 10th - in what will be a day-night doubleheader on HBO - Roman Gonzalez will be making his first headlining appearance on the network. After serving as the opening act for Gennady Golovkin the past year or so, he is now on top of the marquee when he moves up in weight to face WBC super flyweight titlist, Carlos Cuadras at the Forum in Inglewood, California.
It's clear that he is now a pillar of the HBO boxing franchise.
Peter Nelson, the head of HBO Sports told BoxingScene.com - "I think every time a pound-for-pound star like Roman Gonzalez, who's really earned his keep in terms of the recognition that's been granted him by the media and fans and his opponents, a logical step up to fight for a record setting fourth divisional title - as a countryman from Nicaragua - this is an immense opportunity for him and it's a great privilege for us to be partnered with Tom Loeffler, K2 and Roman Gonzalez on this event ."
On this day, HBO will air the live broadcast of Golovkin's fight with Kell Brook from London in the afternoon and then telecast the bouts from the Forum later on that evening. The rematch between Jesus Soto-Karass and Yoshihiro Kamegai will accompany the Gonzalez-Cuadras fight on HBO
The fight with Cuadras is certainly no lay-up for Chocolatito. Many insiders believe the Mexican will derail the Gonzalez express but if he should come out victorious, could fights against the likes of the highly regard Noaya Inoue, who holds the WBO 115-pound title, or a rematch with Juan Francisco Estrada be in the cards for Gonzalez on HBO?
"I think that what we've seen from Roman Gonzalez - and this fight with Carlos Cuadras alone - what you see is his willingness to always fight,'' stated Nelson.
"That's why he fought Estrada the first time, that's why he's fought plenty of champions along the way. That's why he's built a Hall-of-Fame resume' already and he's entering the prime years of his career.
"So this isn't someone who's ever ducked anybody and Mr.(Takihiro) Honda likes putting together real fights and I'm sure we'll see them. First to your point, September 10th, (Roman's) gotta perform."
Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com.
