Interviews
EXCLUSIVE: Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez – The Humble Nicaraguan
The Contra War in Nicaragua, a bloody affair that claimed tens of thousands of lives in the 1980s, was no place to raise a child. But it produced a warrior, and Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez emerged from the devastation to become a success story.
Growing up in Managua, the capital of Nicaragua, Gonzalez (50-2, 41 KOs) describes his childhood environment on proboxing-fans.com as “a very humble environment that helped me appreciate what God has given me now through my boxing career.”
“Chocolatito” emerged from the darkest places to cement his name in the history books of the sport to which he decided to dedicate his life.
He built such a legacy after overcoming every challenge in his path, becoming a four-weight world champion and coming back from adversity to regain championship honors.
Although he was a boxing fan, teenage Gonzalez was initially fascinated by football, but his fighting father decided to one day teach him this sweet science.
Once he had his chin tucked in, his fists raised high, and his feet side by side in an orthodox stance, that was it, there was no turning back, the boxing bacteria had seeped into his blood like a leech, but there was nothing to shake or drink away
Like all Nicaraguan fighters, Roman idolized Alexis Arguello. The three-division world champion retired with a record of 77-8, and his bushy mustache adorned posters in boxing gyms across the country.
Gonzalez remembers his first day at the boxing gym vividly as if it were just yesterday: “When I first went to the boxing gym, I met my idol, the greatest boxer in Nicaraguan history, Alexis Arguello.
“I was even more impressed because he spoke to me briefly and then forced me to work on my posture. It was a great moment for me.”
The current WBA “Super” 115-pound world champion watched fighters like Mike Tyson, Oscar De La Hoya and Felix Trinidad with his father, who was a boxer.
Boxing ran through the Gonzalez family veins and from a teenage age it was obvious what “Chocolatito” was destined for.
“It definitely runs in the family, but I enjoyed it because I was beating bigger opponents, which motivated me even more because I could see how proud my family was of me.”
The 33-year-old surpassed the achievements of his idol Arguello by becoming a four-time world heavyweight champion, also becoming the first fighter to do so in the four lightest weight classes.
Gonzalez, who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in the coming years, hopes to continue to inspire future generations.
“I believe that it is a blessing from God that gave me this talent and it is my duty to do this to the youth be a role model for them, it is a true blessing.”
In a professional career spanning 52 fights, only Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, who also fights on March 13, has defeated Roman, but the Nicaraguan leaves no bitter taste on his tongue as he looks back on his career without regret.
“I wouldn’t change a thing because I believe God’s timing is perfect.
“Everything I have been through has brought me to where I am now, and that makes me joyful, even if I had to go through a lot of difficulties.”
On March 13, Gonzalez will step into the ring against his former opponent, Juan Francisco Estrada, whom he defeated in 2012. This time, both men are world champions, meaning the rematch will be a unification fight and a fight that “Chocolatito” has been wanting for some time now.
“It’s great to be with your team and focus on one of my dream fights, it motivates me to give my all every day.
“I feel blessed to be able to unify the titles against such a great champion and friend. I’ve wanted this fight for a while now, so to get this opportunity is very motivating and I’m training very challenging to shine on this night.”
The victory may have been awarded in 2012, but now, nine years later, the task ahead is much greater. However, if Roman has learned one lesson in his career, it is this: “To never stop learning and to never underestimate your opponent.”
As he nears the end of his career, Gonzalez has already made business investments for his future. Retirement is a word that scares many boxers, but not Roman, who accepts that it is all part of God’s plan.
“I believe that only God knows when I will hang up the gloves, but for now I picture myself working on a farm and in the real estate company I started a few years ago in Nicaragua.
“I believe that everything comes to an end, but only God knows when, and I know that it will eventually come and I will accept it as long as I am sure that I have always given my all.”
Natasha Jonas unified the welterweight division by defeating Ivana Habazin by clear points on Saturday to add the WBC title to her IBF crown at the Exhibition Center in Liverpool.
Jonas (16-2-1, 9 KO) was last seen defending her title in January in a hard-fought split decision over Mikaela Mayer, while Habazin (23-6, 7 KO) won the vacant WBC welterweight title in her home country. time out, winning by wide points over Kinga Magyar.
After a technical opening round, Jonas settled into a steady rhythm before landing a powerful right hand in the fourth round that crushed Habazin.
There was a rivalry, but the home favorite was much better in the rallies and seemed to be losing round after round.
This situation lasted until the final bell, when Jonas became the winner by scores of 100-90, 99-91 and 99-92.
Price is closing in on Jonas’ match
Lauren Price definitely stayed on as a collision course with Jonas and easily defended her WBA and IBO welterweight titles after a third-round fight against Bexcy Mateus.
Mateus (7-1, 6 KO) was on board in the first round, after the Welshman landed a powerful left hand, and the Colombian struggled to match Price’s speed.
The same shot caused the 29-year-old to repeat the punch in the second round, and the round later ended when another stinging left hand stunned Meteus and she fell to the canvas, after which the fight was stopped.
Price (8-0, 2 KO) has agreed to face Jonas next, and promoter Ben Shalom revealed it could be announced next week.
Knife edge passes McKenna
Lee Cutler scored an upset victory to claim the silver WBC International welterweight title after winning a majority decision against Stephen McKenna.
McKenna (15-1, 14 KO) was eliminated in the first round, his knee touching the canvas after being tagged, and Cutler (15-1, 7 KO) took full advantage of his opponent’s weakness in the seventh round when his right hand plunged into his knee. The Irishman who ultimately fell once again.
McKenna was relentless in his attacks and landed a huge number of punches.
The balance of 94-94 was surpassed by the scores of 95-93 and 96-92, which ensured the victory for Cutler.
Jeffers stopped Quartey
Mark Jeffers is on track for large fights in 2025 after defeating Joshua Quartey to defend his silver Commonwealth super middleweight title.
A pair of right hands put Quartey (10-1, 9 KO) on the board, and although he broke the count, a well-placed body shot after the restart by Jeffers (19-0, 6 KO) blew the guy away again.
A crazy attack after the restart forced a stoppage.
Riley secures Chamberlain’s face-off with a stoppage
Viddal Riley finished the heavyweight fight and stopped Dan Garber in the second of the scheduled six rounds.
Riley (12-0, 7 KO) hit Garber (7-4, 2 KO) with his right hand, and then his next attack forced the referee’s intervention.
Riley’s next match will be against Isaac Chamberlain on February 1.
Undercard remaining
Mason Cartwright (21-4-1, 8 KO) won all six rounds at super welterweight against Dzmitry Atrokhau (16-25, 7 KO), and Hope lightweight Frankie Stringer (9-0, 1 KO) did the same in the fight against Tatenda Mangombe (3-9-1).
In the flyweight division, Mikie Tallon (6-0) defeated Benn Norman (7-7) with a body shot in the first round of the match, and then settled for a 59-54 victory.
The only fighter to fight four rounds in the super featherweight division was Mason Devine (6-0, 1 KO), who won every session against Jayo Fernando Duran (15-34-1, 14 KO).
Dillian Whyte has revealed his predictions for the hotly anticipated rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury on December 21.
Fury, who knocked out Whyte at Wembley Stadium in 2022, will seek revenge for the only defeat of his career in just 11 days, after losing to Usyk by split decision earlier this year.
Despite losing the night, “The Gypsy King” was a major success and many are struggling to pick a winner in his second battle against the imperious Ukrainian.
Some experts believe Fury needs to be more aggressive and take the lead if he is to win.
I’m talking to Social boxingWhyte revealed he shared that view, asking the Morecambe man to return to the game plan that saw him destroy Deontay Wilder in the return leg.
“It’s a great fight, man, I’m still trying to think – how will this fight go?
“Okay, Fury can make changes, but Usyk can make changes too. It’s a tough fight, a very, very tough fight for both fighters.
“If I were Fury’s coach, I would tell him he has to play aggressively.
“Fight him like you fought Wilder the second time.
“Bring back the aggression, bring back the tyrant!
“This is heavyweight boxing – you never know.”
It is unclear whether Fury will heed the advice of Whyte and others in the boxing world who have advised him to take the fight to Usyk, but looks noticeably heavier than before the first fight.
What are the changes? ❌@Tyson_Fury says he will exploit exactly the same game plan as the first time when he faces Oleksandr Usyk at the end of the month.
Thinks? 🧐 pic.twitter.com/VtpEwLJkWx
— Professional boxing fans (@ProBoxingFans) December 6, 2024
Win or lose, the 36-year-old could face a long-awaited home fight against Anthony Joshua, even though “A.J.” interrupted defeat against Daniel Dubois in September.
While it may not have been as great a spectacle as it once was, a clash between Joshua and Fury would still be by far the biggest all-British fight in recent memory.
As for Whyte, he returns to the ring next Sunday night and will face Ghanaian heavyweight Ebenezer Tetteh live on DAZN in Gibraltar.
The All-American fight between lightweight world champions Gervonta Davis and Shakur Stevenson is one of the most anticipated fights in all of boxing.
Both Davis and Stevenson are undefeated multi-weight champions and are staples on any respected pound-for-pound list.
With this in mind, you could be forgiven for assuming that the pair locking corners in their prime years is a given, but that doesn’t seem likely to happen in the near future.
“Tank” spoke to the media at the press conference inaugurating his performance March 1 fight with Lamont Roach, and when the prospect of fighting Stevenson arose, he didn’t seem particularly interested.
The Baltimore hitter even went so far as to question what his compatriot did to deserve him.
“What for? Who has Shakur [beat]? What did Shakur do?
“What has he achieved in sports? He didn’t do anything! Juvenile people look better than him!”
“Keyshawn [Davis] you look so much better than that nigga! Shout it out nigga, he ain’t done nothing!
I asked Gervonta about a possible fight with Shakur… #Box #TankRoach pic.twitter.com/T1eNFJ9iIO
— Dwa O Dwa Z.. (@Noo_Barzz) December 3, 2024
“Why the hell are you saying his name?”
Like Davis, Stevenson will also return to action in the first quarter of next year, fighting against up-and-comer Floyd Schofield on the February 22 Riyad season card.
The Newark southpaw has been sidelined since his July decision victory over Artem Harutyunyan after he had to withdraw from a proposed October fight with Joe Cordina due to injury.
Saudi boxing boss Turki Alalshikh has expressed his willingness to have a fight between the two virtuosos, provided both are successful in their upcoming fights.
‼️ His Excellency Turki Alalshikh stated that he wants the Gervonta Davis vs Shakur Stevenson fight: “My plan for Shakur is this fight [vs Floyd Schofield]then William Zepeda, and then let’s see if Tank wants to come on our show.” [@DAZNBoxing] pic.twitter.com/Mmi6hO7Fjo
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBenson) December 3, 2024
While he undoubtedly has the talent to rival Davis, Stevenson is not as commercial a star as his rival, and some critics believe he needs to start giving more entertaining performances if he wants to get substantial names.
Tyson Fury sends an ominous warning to Oleksandr Usyk
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