GRUDGE MATCH
Srisaket defends WBC title against Gonzalez
>> CARSON: With blood streaming down his face, Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez was fighting for his WBC superflyweight title, his perfect record, his No.1 pound-for-pound ranking and, most of all, for the respect he’s commanded throughout his stellar 12-year career.
Despite the blood, and the fact that the Nicaraguan world champion was knocked down in the first round, he finished strong in his slugfest in March against Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, from Thailand, who shocked the Madison Square Garden crowd and TV audience with the performance of a lifetime.
Srisaket came away with a razor thin majority decision, and Gonzalez’s 46-0 perfection and ultimately, his top pound-for-pound ranking, was over.
Gonzalez, 30, has waited for six months for his chance to avenge the loss, and this morning (Thai time), at a venue known for spectacular fights, the StubHub Center in Carson, California, he will step into the ring for the rematch against Srisaket (43-4-1, 39 KOs), the 30-year old southpaw who likely will not yield an inch against the future Hall of Famer.
Gonzalez left his beloved Nicaragua and relocated to Japan to train for this fight, which is crucial for his future in the sport, and he knows exactly what is at stake.
“We had a great camp in Japan, it was very peaceful and we were able to work on a very good strategy to win,” he said. “After fighting him once I know what he does well and I know how to combat that.”
Hopefully that includes dealing with Srisaket’s constant pressure, and the fact that his awkward head-first style caused several headbutts in the first fight, leading to the bleeding that undoubtedly affected Chocolatito’s vision and his game plan.
“I’m very excited to fight Roman again. Many people did not believe I won but I know that I was victorious and will prove again that I am better on Saturday night [this morning, Thai time],” said the Thai boxer, known in his country as Srisaket Nakornloung Promotion.
“The headbutts were not intentional at all. He was bending over also and I’m a southpaw and he’s orthodox, sometimes that happens. I’m not a dirty fighter at all.”
For Gonzalez, it’s all about redemption. He had held titles in four different weight divisions since 2008 before losing for the first time in his second title fight at super-flyweight against Srisaket. He desperately wants his title back.
“As soon as the last fight was over I wanted the chance to regain my title,” said Gonzalez, who is headlining a card for the second time in his career.
While Srisaket remains confident he will retain his title, he also remains humble yet calm by the magnitude of today’s showdown.
“I don’t feel any more pressure at all, it’s just the two of us fighting, hopefully I’ll have more fans after I win the fight this time,” Srisaket said.
“When I go into the fight, I’m not the champion anymore. The title is vacant when I enter the ring and I have to win it again. The belt will be with the WBC supervisor and I have to challenge for it again.”
The card features six of the top super-flyweights in the world.
In addition to the Srisaket v Gonzalez rematch, the co-feature pits highly regarded Naoya “Monster” Inoue (13-0, 11 KOs) of Japan making his American debut against Antonio Nieves (17-1-2, 9 KOs), and former WBC super-flyweight titlist Carlos Cuadras (36-1-1, 27 KOs) facing fellow Mexican and former flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada (35-2, 25 KOs) in a 12-round WBC super-flyweight title eliminator.
Cuadras has defeated Srisaket and lost a close matchup against Gonzalez. The winner of this fight will be in line to face the winner between Rungvisai and Gonzalez.
“It’s an honour to be part of such a great card with these champions,” Gonzalez said.