by Sevak Sarkisian

As most fight fans already know, former three division world champion and current WBC flyweight world champion Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez (45-0 38 KO’s) will be moving up in weight yet again to face reigning WBC super flyweight world champion Carlos “El Principe” Cuadras (35-0 27KO’s) at the Forum in Inglewood California.  The bout will be aired live on HBO at 10 pm ET/PT on Saturday September 10^th and is promoted by K2 Promotions. 

Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez made his professional boxing debut in July of 2005 and won his first world title at 105lbs (Minimum weight) In September of 2008 by defeating then reigning WBA champion Yutaka Niida (23-2-3 9KO’s) retiring him from the sport in the process.  Gonzalez defended the title tree times including a unanimous decision win against former WBC minimum world champion Katsunari Takayama.  He then moved up to win the WBA light flyweight world title against Manuel Vargas (30-7-1) at the time.  During this time, despite being a two division world champion, Roman Gonzalez was still fighting for notoriety and the fame he felt he deserved amongst boxing fans.  However, being a fighter in the smaller weight classes it was difficult to cross over to the main stream boxing fans especially in USA.  However, on November 17^th 2012 things changed for the better in Roman’s boxing career.  He defended his light flyweight title for the fourth time and defeated Juan Francisco Estrada (26-1 at the time) who was regarded by many as the best in the division before the fight.  The fight took place in Los Angeles and turned out to be a fun competitive fight to watch. The fight also turned out to be a career defining win for Chocolatito and arguably still serves as his best win to date. 

After his fight with Estrada, Chocolatito Gonzalez started to get more media attention specifically more in the United States then ever before.  He immediately moved up in weight yet again after the fight to campaign at flyweight.  After a few fights in his new weight class he got a shot at WBC world flyweight title and managed to win his third world title against Akira Yaegashi (20-3 at the time).  Shortly after becoming a three weight world champion, Gonzalez eventually started to get showcased on HBO under cards including a great win against former two division world champion Brian Viloria.  This helped him earn a spot on a main event on HBO and a shot at the WBC super flyweight title (115lbs) against undefeated reigning champion Carlos Cuadras. 

Roman Gonzalez stands at 5’3 in height and possesses a 64 inch reach and is 29 years old. He doesn’t posses any physical advantages regarding size for a super flyweight.  Stylistically, he likes to fight coming forward applying consistent pressure.  He throws punches in bunches and throws nice body shots usually coming forward behind a jab.  He has good overall technique and possesses killer instinct.  If Gonzalez gets an opponent hurt he goes for the finish! 

Carlos Cuadras on the other hand is the current and reigning WBC super flyweight champion who stands about 5’4 in height possessing a 66” inch reach.  He defeated then reigning WBC champion Wisaksil Wangek (27-3-1 at the time) by stoppage in September of 2014.  Wangek has since gone on a thirteen fight win streak.  Cuadras has defended his title 6 times since winning it.  He is considered to be very big for the weight class and has a lot of talent and skill to go along with his size.  Stylistically, I consider him to be a boxer; he has the ability to move around the ring well and works off of a nice jab.  He is also a smart fighter who likes to think and use feints and has athleticism to go along with it all.   

Just like many other fight fans around the world, I’m very excited and looking forward to watching these two elite level fighters fight each other since that’s what boxing is all about. Elite versus elite, best versus best!