Román 'Chocolatito' González is now free to negotiate a potential unification with WBC super flyweight world champion Juan Francisco Estrada.
This past Tuesday, Joshua Franco pulled off a stunner when he dropped and decisioned undefeated Andrew 'Monster' Moloney to capture the WBA "regular" super flyweight title at the MGM Grand's Conference Center in Las Vegas.
Gonzalez holds the WBA's 'super' title at 115-pounds.
He captured that world title earlier this year, when he knocked out undefeated Kal Yafai. The fight was booked a showcase for Yafai, but Gonzalez turned back the clock as he dominated, broke down and stopped Yafai.
The winner, pursuant to a pre-fight agreement, had to make a mandatory defense against Moloney.
The recent shocker by Franco has worked in Gonzalez's favor.
The World Boxing Association advised ESPN Deportes that Franco's victory has in fact derailed that pre-fight agreement that precluded Gonzalez from moving forward with a potential fight with Estrada.
Promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing has working agreements with both Estrada and Gonzalez. He wants to match them against each other in the coming months.
The only obstacle would be money. Gonzalez has stated in several interviews that he wants to receive at least $1 million for the rematch.
The first encounter between Gonzalez (49-2, 41 KOs) and Estrada (40-3, 27 KOs) took place in November 2012 at the Sports Arena in Los Angeles, in a battle for the junior flyweight world title for the WBA championship, which was held by Chocolatito.
The victory was by unanimous decision for the Nicaraguan superstar with scores of 118-110, 116-112 and 116-112.
Since that matchup in 2012, Estrada has had 14 wins and one loss, while Gonzalez has 15 wins and two setbacks. The combined three defeats of both fighters were against Srisaket Sor Rungvisai of Thailand.