By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Undefeated World Boxing Association junior flyweight champion Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez of Nicaragua said that he would like to fight Filipino World Boxing Organization/World Boxing Association flyweight champion Brian Viloria, although it seems he will first face No.2-ranked Japanese Kazuto Ioka.
Gonzalez, who won a furious battle with Mexico’s Juan “El Gallo” Estrada at the Los Angeles Sports Arena last month in the same card, where Viloria won the WBA title with a 10th-round TKO of Hernan Marquez, said that while his promoters and management team are responsible for picking his opponents, “if given a choice, I would like to face Brian Viloria.”
Viloria, a two division, three-time world champion has a record of 32-3 with 19 knockouts. He turned 32 last Nov. 24.
Viloria himself told Manila Standard after his win over Marquez that he would also wish to face off against Gonzalez in what could be an attractive, good money fight, although the WBO had ruled that the Filipino had to face mandatory challenger Milan Melindo of the famed ALA Gym.
BoxingScene.com included Viloria in its list of contenders for 2012 Fighter of the Year honors, which went to four-division champion and reigning WBO, Ring Magazine and World Boxing Council Diamond Belt super bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire, with Viloria cited for “honorable mention.”
“In order to be considered the best, you have to beat the best and I think Viloria definitely ranks right up there at this moment,” said Gonzalez, who has a record of 34-0 with 28 knockouts.
The Nicaraguan champion also mentioned WBO light flyweight champion Donnie Nietes, WBC flyweight champion Toshiyuki Igarashi and Adrian Hernandez.
