Boxing icon Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez has confirmed the date for his initial fight of 2025.
The celebrated four-division world champion has been inactive since securing the 52nd victory of his professional career in July of the previous year. This win occurred two years after his defeat by Juan Francisco Estrada, with the skilled Gonzalez achieving a tenth and final round stoppage of Colombia`s Rober Barrera during their contest held in Nicaragua.
His comeback is set for September 12th at the Polideportivo Alexis Arguello arena in Managua, where he is scheduled to meet Hector “El Ratón” Robles. Information regarding the Mexican opponent is limited, primarily noting his record of 13-8-3 with 4 knockouts, and a TKO defeat in the fourth round against David Cuellar Contreras in November 2020. Notably, Contreras himself suffered his first professional loss this past February, being knocked out in three rounds by the impressive Japanese fighter Junto Nakatani during the third defense of his WBC bantamweight championship.
Gonzalez, now aged 38, continues to express aspirations for another world title challenge. He has been mentioned as a potential future opponent for WBC super-flyweight champion Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez. The 25-year-old Rodriguez, a native of Texas, has an opportunity to unify titles in a second weight class on July 19th should he overcome WBO champion Phumelela Cafu.
Since his second loss to Srisaket Sor Rungvisai in 2017, Gonzalez has competed eight times, securing six wins against two defeats. His most recent world title success occurred in February 2020, where he convincingly stopped Kal Yafai in the ninth round to claim the WBA super-flyweight championship. He subsequently lost this title to his long-time adversary Estrada in their unification fight the following year. Prior to a third encounter with Estrada in 2022 (which he lost), Gonzalez also defeated Julio Cesar Martinez.
Another veteran fighter, Nonito Donaire (42), has publicly stated his interest in facing Gonzalez. His wife and trainer, Rachel, commented in April via Boxing Scene: “We proposed fighting Chocolatito multiple times, and [Teiken Boxing`s] Akihiko Honda approved on more than one occasion. However, for reasons unknown, his management opted for a fight against Cafu instead, and we saw the result of that decision. Both fighters are reaching a certain age, and both are destined for the Hall of Fame. I believe a match between them would be truly legendary.”
Nevertheless, Gonzalez had already dismissed the possibility of such a fight taking place back in August of the previous year.
