‘I WILL SHOW THE WORLD THAT I AM AN ELITE WORLD CHAMP’
Yafai is determined to impress against Gonzalez, writes Elliot Worsell
A FASCINATING crossroads match at super-flyweight was announced last week between WBA champion Kal Yafai
and former four-weight world champion Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez.
The fight, likely to be Yafai’s toughest as a pro, will take place in Texas at The Ford Center at The Star, Frisco on February 29.
“I wanted the biggest possible fight available and after the Juan Francisco Estrada unification fell through, I had the opportunity to fight Chocolatito, the former pound-for-pound king,” said Yafai, 26-0 (15).
“Chocolatito is someone I have idolised as I have worked my way up to become world champion, so it doesn’t get much bigger than this. It will bring out the best in me. I can’t wait. It is a case of when idols become rivals. I am so honoured to share the ring with him but also show the world that I am an elite world champion.”
Yafai’s reign as a world champion has spanned five defences and he has so far barely put a foot wrong. Now 30, Yafai needs recognisable names on his record, momentum in his career and the kind of breakthrough fight that not only motivates him to produce his careerbest performance but also makes others aware of him.
In Gonzalez, 48-2 (4), formerly one of the world’s pound-for-pound best fighters, he has that man. Though 32, the Nicaraguan has lost only to Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (twice) and has won his last two fights via stoppage. He is no longer in his prime but will provide an ideal – and still very dangerous – test for Yafai at this stage in his career.
In other fight news, superfeatherweights Scott Quigg and Jono Carroll will collide on March 7 at Manchester Arena.
Quigg and Carroll were originally meant to fight in Saudi Arabia on December 7 as part of the Andy Ruiz Jnr-anthony Joshua II undercard, but an injury to Quigg put paid to those plans. Three months later, the upside now is that they get to try again as headliners in Manchester.
“I’m looking forward to making my return after having 16 months out of the ring due to the injury I suffered early last year,” said Quigg. “Unfortunately, the injury reoccurred before the Saudi Arabia show, but the arm is fully healed now and I’m already in great shape about to start camp.
“This is a fight I’m really excited about. I’m looking forward to getting in there and taking him apart and showing that despite being out the ring for over a year
– and the injury – there is still a lot left in the tank.”
Last time out, back in October 2018, Quigg, 35-2-2 (26), stopped Mario Briones inside a couple of rounds in Boston. Before that he had put up a brave effort against then-wbo featherweight champion Oscar Valdez, losing a competitive fight on points.
Carroll, meanwhile, came up short in a recent world title shot, losing to IBF super-featherweight champion Tevin Farmer in March 2019. He rebounded from that with a 10-round decision over Eleazar Valenzuela in August and is now hell-bent on securing the biggest scalp of his career.
“I haven’t necessarily learned anything extra about Scott Quigg since we were first due to fight, but I have learned more about myself – how much I want this life and what I’m willing to give up in order to accomplish my dreams and goals,” said Carroll, 17-11 (3).
“Now it’s time for the next step. I know my worth as a person and as a boxer. I won’t let Quigg beat me no matter what type of fight it has to be. I’m good at adapting so I will see what he’s good at and then take that away from him.”
‘I CAN’T WAIT. IT IS A CASE OF WHEN IDOLS BECOME RIVALS’