Comments Thread For: Six Obstacles To a Roman (Gonzalez) Empire

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

By Cliff Rold - His knockout of Akira Yaegashi for the lineal (and WBC) flyweight honors in September confirmed for a broader audience what was apparent to hardcore fight followers for the past several years—Róman Gonzalez (40-0, 34 KOs) is one of the best fighters in the world.

In any weight class.

Now reigning in his third division—and atop one of the best top-to-bottom flyweight classes in decades—Gonzalez prepares for his first title defense this Saturday in Japan. He’ll face 28-year old Rocky Fuentes (35-7-2, 20 KO) of the Philippines.

It’s the second title opportunity of the year for Fuentes after losing a decision to Thailand’s Amnat Ruenroeng for the vacant IBF 112 lb. belt in January.

The veteran contender could be a trap fight for Gonzalez. Prior to his loss to Ruenroeng, Fuentes enjoyed a 15-fight win streak dating back to 2007. A pair of knockout losses came in 2004 and 2005; his chin has held up since then. A decent puncher coupled with a careless Gonzalez looking ahead to bigger possibilities could find more trouble than the defending champion wishes.
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[Cloud]

It's a pity the smaller men super fights are not picked up on bigger networks.

[Jag.Street]

Great article Cliff Rold.
Roman seems to be getting more recognition this year, glad for him, really hope we do see him on bigger networks in 2015. Relishing if/when Gonzalez-Estrada comes to fruition, would consider flying across the pond for that!
As for Floyd & Manny name dropping; i've come to ignore pub banter with locals when they get giddy and blind with excitement that this 'is going to actually happen this time'. Unfortunately, not everyone gets this!

[crold1]

Great article Cliff Rold.
Roman seems to be getting more recognition this year, glad for him, really hope we do see him on bigger networks in 2015. Relishing if/when Gonzalez-Estrada comes to fruition, would consider flying across the pond for that!
As for Floyd & Manny name dropping; i've come to ignore pub banter with locals when they get giddy and blind with excitement that this 'is going to actually happen this time'. Unfortunately, not everyone gets this!

If he's on HBO next year, still in his 20s, he's where he should be

[The Big Dunn]

Real good article. Can't understand why showtime/HBO hasn't put together something with these guys, especially showtime following a crappy year and Haymon going to NBC next year.

Rigo, loma, gradovich,waiters, Jhonny, Mares, LSC all close in weight as well. You've got 2-3 years of solid programming at a relatively reasonable cost.

[Str8 Right]

Hope roman gets all the recognition he deserves...he's an absolute beast in those lower weights...I'd love him to fight rigo in the next couple years...preferably at 118 but 122 would be fine too cuz their pretty much the same size.