Román González

At 36 years old, Román González has this physical status:

Román Alberto González Luna (born 17 June 1987), best known by his nickname "Chocolatito," is a Nicaraguan professional boxer.

He is the first boxer from Nicaragua to win world championships in four weight classes, having outlasted his mentor, idol, and former world champion, late Alexis Argüello.

González has been the first boxer to win world championships in all four of the lowest weight categories: minimum weight, light flyweight, flyweight, and super flyweight; from 2010 to 2017; and the WBC light flyweight championships from 2014 to 2017.

According to The Ring magazine, he is ranked as the world's seventh best active super flyweight as of October 2019.

He was also rated by The Ring as the world's top active boxer, pound for pound, from September 2015 to March 2017.

He is best known for his ferocious pressure fighting style.

Personal life

González is run by Carlos Blandon Vidaurre, and Teiken Promotions in Japan promotes the game.

González is divorced, has two children, and lives in Mana, Nicaragua. Although he fights for pride and glory, he has stated that the biggest reason is to care for his families. He is a practicing Christian and a vocal supporter of the FSLN political party in Nicaragua.

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Amateur career

González was reportedly undefeated as an amateur, securing a 88-0 record in official amateur tournaments. He was the highlight of his amateur career, winning the light flyweight gold medal at the 2004 Central American Championships.

Professional career

In 2005, an 18-year-old González turned professional as a light flyweight, dubbed "Chocolatito." In his debut, he fought at the Pharaohs Casino in Mana, Nicaragua, against Ramon Urbina (0-1 KOs) in a scheduled 4 round match. González was defeated by a knockout in round two. González defeated Oscar Murillo (11–10, 8 KOs) for the vacant Nicaraguan and WBA Fedecentro light flyweight titles in his 9th professional fight. González was defeated in the 1st round after a knockout. González could also win the WBA Fedelatin minimumweight championship against José Luis Varela after returning to light flyweight in his next fight. González defeated his first 16 fights by way of knockout before meeting Hiroshi Matsumoto (17–7–8, 8 KOs) at the Bunka Gym in Yokohama on January 14, 2008. In his first match outside of Nicaragua, González won by a unanimous decision (100–90 98–92).

González defeated Yutaka Niida (23–1–3, 9 KOs) in Yokohama, Japan, in what was only his second fight in the minimumweight division. González won the title with a 58 seconds remaining in the fourth round. On all the scorecards at the time of the stoppage, he was ahead 30–27.

González made his WBA debut on December 13, 2008, defeating Miguel Tellez (18–11, 6 KOs) in the third round.

On February 28, 2009, he returned to minimum weight against Francisco Rosas (20–5–2, 12 KOs) who ruled by majority decision (116–113, 114–114). This was González's first battle in Mexico.

González defended his belt against Katsunari Takayama (23–3, 9 KOs) in Japan in July 2009. The three judges all scored González's 118-110 after 12 rounds. González won the title against Ivan Meneses (1914–5, 8 KOs). In the third round, the meneses were knocked down, but the match was called off in the next round.

González has dropped his minimum weight title after three successful defenses, opting for light flyweight. He defeated Jesus Limones (10–1–1, 4 KOs) in September 2010, his first fight in his new weight class.

González, a 23-year-old González, won the vacant WBA interim light flyweight title against Francisco Rosas (21–7–2, 12 KOs) in Tokyo on October 24, 2010. This was their second time fighting in the minimumweight division after having previously participated in the minimumweight division. In the second round, González was crowned by KO. In this fight, Rosas was knocked down three times. González said he fought while sick with severe stomach problems, which was the reason why he looked so sluggish and worn. González was promoted to full champion in February 2011 after Juan Carlos Reveco resigned as the light flyweight champion in order to aim for a flyweight title.

González will make his first defense against former champion Manuel Vargas (30–7–1, 15 KOs) on March 19, 2011 in Mexico. González was crowned Victorious over Vargas by a unanimous vote (119–109, 112, 116–112) In July, González returned to fight in Mexico. González would face 31-year-old Omar Salado (22–3–2, 13 KOs) on July 9, according to the newspaper, on June. González defeated Salado en route to a victory in round 7.

On October 1st, 2011, González's third defense took place at the Marquee Ballroom in MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. González defeated Omar Soto (223–7, 22, 15 KOs), who was the first fighter in the United States, in a straight right and left uppercut combination 36 seconds into the 2nd round. González was only on point, as Soto weighed in at 111 pounds over the weight limit.

González defeated Manuel Jimenez (11–2–1, 5 KOs) at Sinaloa, Mexico, defeating Jimenez via 1st-round KO on March 17, 2012. This was a non-title contest. Ramon Garcia Hirales, the original target to face González, was a former IBF champion who had 16–3–1, 9 KOs), who had to start over his twin brother Ral Garca.

González defended his WBA light flyweight title against Ramon Garcia Hirales at the Fairplex in Pomona, California, on 28 April 2012. After Garcia was knocked down twice in the 4th round, the fight came to an end as the count was waived by referee Raul Caiz Jr. González was ahead 30–27 on all scorecards at the time of stoppage.

González briefly fought undefeated 23-year-old Stiven Monterrosa (9–0–8, 8 KOs) at the Hotel Holiday Inn in Mana, Nicaragua, and briefly fought him to Flyweight on October 6, 2012. In rounds 1 and 2, Monterrosa was defeated. The stoppage seemed suspicious as the referee wreaked the match off as González was demonstrating his skills and delivered a punch that didn't appear to have injured Monterrosa. Monterrosa grilled the officials as to why the fight was suspended.

González will face 22-year-old flyweight prospect Juan Francisco Estrada (26–1, 20 KOs) at Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena on October 27, 2012, as the 22-year-old flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada (26–1, 20 KOs) is slated for the match. González kept his position in a tense match by unanimous vote. It was the second time González had been in California and the third time in the United States. The judges ruled it out (118–110, 116–112, 116–112, 112–112) in favour of González.

González defeated Colombian Ronald Barrera (30-11–2, 18 KOs) in a non-title match at the Polideportivo Espaa, Mana, Nicaragua, on May 25, 2013. González won the contest by a fifth-round stoppage. Referee Onofre Ramirez called off the match after Barrera was disqualified by 2 minutes 42 seconds in the round. The fight was originally scheduled for 113 pounds, but both boxers weighed 116 pounds. Many people were concerned over whether González would be able to cut back to 108 pounds.

After five solid title defenses at light flyweight, he vacated his title to take flyweight. He defeated Francisco Rodr Jr. by TKO in the 7th round on September 21, 2013. He then defeated Oscar Blanquet, Juan Kantun, and Philippine Juan Purisima, all by TKO. González's professional record increased to 39–0 after a string of fights, with 33 victories coming by way of knockout.

González would face WBC, The Ring and Lineal Flyweight champion Akira Yaegashi (20–3, 10 KOs) in Tokyo, Japan, on September 5, 2014, after it was announced on September 23rd that it would face him (20–3, 10 KOs). González triumphed the WBC, The Ring, and lineal flyweight titles, winning the WBC and lineal flyweight titles and becoming a boxing triple champion. In rounds 3 and 9, Yaegashi was knocked down. After a final uppercut to Yaegashi, referee Michael Griffin called the contest off. The three judges had the battle (80–71 & 79–72 twice) in favour of González at the time of his suspension.

González would defend his titles against Rocky Fuentes (35–7–2, 20 KOs) on Sunday at the International Swimming Pool in Yokohama, Japan, on October 19th. The war had been raging for more than a month. González retained the titles against Fuentes by a sixth-round TKO. González defeated Valentin Leon in a non-title match on February 28, 2015, winning by a 3rd-round TKO.

González would make his HBO debut against Mexican boxer Édgar Sosa (51–8, 30 KOs) at The Forum in Inglewood, California, on HBO World Championship Boxing's Golovkin vs. Monroe undercard on March 24, 2015. González defeated Sosa by a TKO in the second round. In round 2, Sosa was defeated three times. Sosa made no attempt to get up after the third knockdown. González's career was worth more than $200,000 against Sosa. González called for a rematch against Estrada after defeating Sosa.

On the undercard of the middleweight unification match between Gennady Golovkin and David Lemieux, González will defend his world titles against 34-year old former unified flyweight champion Brian Viloria (36–4, 22 KOs) at Madison Square Garden in New York City on October 17th. González won the World Championships after defeating Viloria in a 9th round TKO. Viloria was knocked down in the third round of the 3rd round by a quick right-hand from González. González's right hand snapped Viloria's head to the side during round 9. Referee Benjy Esteves Jr. stepped in and called the fight to a halt in 2 minutes, 52 seconds, with Viloria having suffered. According to CompuBox, González scored 335 of 805 punches (42 percent), but Viloria was limited to landing only 186 of 594 (31 percent). Before the knockdown, González was ahead on all three judges' scores (78–73 twice, 79–72). González defeated González 14–0 in world championship bouts, despite losing. González received a $250,000 cash prize.

González would defend his titles against McWilliams Arroyo (16–2, 14 KOs) on Sunday at The Forum in Inglewood, California, on a co-feature of World Middleweight title fight between Gennady Golovkin and Dominic Wade, which was announced on February 13, 2016. González appeared on a Golovkin card for the third time in a row. González won by unanimous decision (120–108, 119–109), snapping his ten-fight streak. González's Dan Rafael was the wrestler from ESPN's point of no return (120-108). González weighed in at 126 pounds on fight night, adding that he might make one more defense before stepping up to super flyweight. Training in Costa Rica made all the difference [...] I believe there was one more fight at 112 than before, and then I went up to 115. "I want to fight the best possible adversary."

González landed 360 of 1,132 (32%) punches, while Arroyo's 193 of 711 (27%) of his total punches were worth 193 of 711 (27%). González earned a whopping $300,000 purse for this fight. According to Nielsen, the war attracted 1.001 million viewers and topped at 1.14 million.

González will progress to super flyweight to face Carlos Cuadras (35–0–27 KOs) for his WBC title, according to K2 Promotions on July 14th. The ten-month bout took place at The Forum in Inglewood on September 10th, 2016. The match took place at the O2 Arena in London, as part of a HBO split-site telecast on which K2 stablemate and unconstitutional middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin shocked welterweight titlist Kell Brook. HBO's live coverage of Cuadras-González as well as a replay of Golovkin-Brook on Sunday night.

González defeated Cuadras by a narrow margin in a close contest to become the WBC super flyweight champion. This was the first time González headlined a card and drew a crowd of 6,714, which was considered a success. The three judges scored the match 117-111, 116–112 and 115–113, all in favour of González. Both fighters threw over 1,000 punches together, with González gaining the upper hand of Cuadras. González was promised a $400,000 purse for the fight, his highest ever. According to HBO, the fight attracted 843,000 viewers. González made history by becoming the first wrestler in Nicaragua to win four titles in four weight divisions, something his mentor Alexis Argüello struggled to do twice during his career.

González has vacated his WBC Flyweight crown after four successful flyweight championship defenses. He will keep his WBC super flyweight title and keep fighting in the 115 lbs division.

González's manager, Arnulfo Obando, was hospitalized on November 8th, 2016 after suffering a stroke earlier this week and in a serious condition. On his arrival at the hospital, he was declared brain dead. Obando died at the age of 53, according to WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman, who said in a tweet on November 11th. González would also be off from boxing, as it was announced. González's father, Luis González, will be his head trainer, beginning in January 24th, 2017.

President Mauricio Sulaiman announced in December 2016 that a rematch would be held between González and Cuadras for the WBC championship in March 2017. The winner of the rematch will face WBC #2 (British Broadcasting Corporation) and WBC silver champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (41–4–38 KOs). González said he did not consent or signed any contracts for a rematch as he was not obligated to do so. González also talked about the purse he received for a match: "The HBO people are offering me very little money," he said, so I would not accept the match. "I've been struggling to get a good purse because we are the world's most popular pound for pound." González was reported that he was looking for a $1 million purse.

González's boss, Carlos Blandon, said on January 5 that an opponent would be announced in ten days. Sulaimán said that Sor Rungvisai will face González next day because they weren't obligated to give Cuadras a match. The fight was officially announced on January 7th and was on display in Madison Square Garden against Daniel Jacobs. Rungvisai had just one loss since 2010, and Cuadras had only one since 2010, according to a technical decision taken in 2014.

González was disqualified in the first round by a body shot and lost his first professional fight and the WBC super flyweight title by majority decision on fight night. Even though Waleska Roldan was 113-113, the match was decided 114-113, Sor Rungvisai's Glenn Feldman and Julie Lederman both scored it 114-112 in favour of Sor Rungvisai. González won the match by a score of 117–109. ESPN was 107–109 in favor of González. Following the announcement of the decision, many boos were heard around the arena packed with 19,939. González was wounded in round 3 in an accidental clash of heads. During the war, the cut was handled by his armour, but blood poured out on the other side of his face. In round 6, Sor Rungvisai lost a point due to another clash of heads. González said, "I felt I won the fight." I want a match right away. "I need to reclaim my position," I say. González received 441 of his 1,013 knocked (44%), according to Compubox results, while Sor Rungvisai landed 284 of 940 (30%). In ten rounds out of 12, González defeated Sor Rungvisai. He also set a new world record for power shots landed with 372. González made a career out of $500,000, while Rungvisai made $75,000.

González boss Tom Loeffler announced on Monday that he would want a rematch with Sor Rungvisai. The WBC ordered a direct match between González and Sor Rungvisai on April 4, 2017. Carlos Cuadras, the mandatory challenger in the first round, was scheduled to face mandatory challenger Carlos Cuadras. However, due to the direct match, the WBC ordered Cuadras to face Juan Francisco Estrada, the current WBC interim champion. The winner of both fights will then face each other in a match. With the following statement, WBC justified this.

Loeffler announced that a date in the fall of 2017 would be considered, and that a meeting with representatives of Rungvisai will be held. The rematch will be broadcast on HBO at a California location on September 6, according to Loeffler on June 6th. According to reports, Naoya Inoue, the Japanese super flyweight, would make his American television debut on the same card. González travelled to Japan on June 7th to discuss a peace with Teiken Promotions. His purse was one of the primary reasons for discussing the deal. Cuadras and Estrada will compete on the undercard for the WBC interim title, according to Mexican promoter Osvaldo Küchle. The contest will take place at the StubHub Center in Carson, California, on July 6th. Tom Loeffler announced it on July 6th. Naoya Inoue, a WBO champion, was also on display at the festival, and it is considered one of the oldest cards in the younger weight classes. The fight will be shown live on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom, according to the company.

González weighed in at 119.8 pounds at the 7-day weigh in on September 3rd, and Rungvisai weighed in at 119.8 pounds. Both boxers were expected to weigh no more than 121 pounds, according to WBC rules. González tipped the scales at 114.8 pounds the day before the fight, when Sor Rungvisai weighed 115 pounds. González will be paid a $600,000 purse, while Sor Rungvisai will make $170,000.

González' second straight defeat and struggled to regain the WBC championship after being defeated by Sor Rungvisai in the fourth round of their rematch on fight night. Both fighters fired heavy bullets in the first round. Sor Rungvisai began to work the body straight away. González was knocked down hard from a left to the head in round 4, round four. González climbed to 7 in the count, but on unsteady legs. Rungvisai then finished the tragic González with a right to the head that put him down flat on his back. Referee Tom Taylor didn't bother with a count, leaving the game dead at 1:18 of the round. After the war for protection, González was admitted to the hospital. The referee warned Rungvisai after an accidental headbutt in round one, when González yelled and the audience booed. On HBO, the show attracted 796,000 viewers and reached its high of 835,000 viewers.

Srisaket Sor Rungvisai said he had been training hard for four months before deciding to knock González out. I fought for Thailand, and this is what I dedicate this war to: Thailand. I only trained for two months for the first fight. "I knew I was going to knock him out." González was humbled in defeat. "We were both trading punches, but ours were quicker, and they landed harder." "I was really hurt the second time I was knocked down, but I think I'll be fine," promoter Tom Loeffler told HBO about González's future. If you face a guy like Srisaket, you might have a chance of winning the lottery. He defeated the No. 1st in the world of No. 1st. In New York, 1 pound-for-pound fighter defeated him, then defeated him more convincingly the second time. Now he has to be rated as one of the best in the world. Roman really packed the house, and Srisaket came into a hostile environment and established himself as a true champion. He has a ferocious punch." Rungvisai landed 83% of his 291 punches fired (27%) and González landed 58 of 212 (27%), according to CompuBox reports. All 80 of Rungvisai's landed punches were power shots. González said he would not return to the flyweight division because he was unable to reach the 112 pound threshold and that he was interested in winning his fifth world title, but he was also considering retirement.

González said he wanted to continue his work weeks after the fight. Teiken Promotions is believed to be planning a fight against WBA champion Kal Yafai. "I've been waiting for González for a long time," Yafai replied to reports that González wanted to kill him by replying, "Good days, I've been wanting González for a long time," despite having to get past his mandatory fight first. "It's a blessing to know that the WBA has placed me at number two in the charts," González said of Yafai after being ranked number two by the WBA. "I am grateful to [WBA President] Gilberto Mendoza for this opportunity." González did not rule out defeating WBO champion Naoya Inoue, but he said his next fight could happen as soon as February. González wanted to fight in an interim manner before aiming for a world championship. "I am never going to [enter the Yafai] war in bad shape," he said. I take care of myself, which is why I think I need a warfight." González, who was coached by Japanese coach Sendai Tanaka in his last battle, made it clear that he wanted to work with Félix Trinidad's father and ex trainer Don Felix. Rosendo lvarez, a fellow countryman and former world champion, urged González to return to flyweight, but that it would be impossible for him to remain at super flyweight and much more difficult to move to bantamweight. González is expected to return to ringabout April or May 2018, perhaps under the circumstances of a Gennady Golvokin fight, according to Tom Loeffler on November 22nd. González will not be included in the forthcoming SuperFly 2 card, according to Loeffler.

González's head trainer, Gustavo Herrera, was hired by Mana, Nicaragua, at the Roger Deshon gym on January 11, 2018 and confirmed his intention to remain at super flyweight. Pedro Guevara, a veteran Mexican boxer, (33–3–1, 17 KOs), was lined up on 8th April to be González's next foe, with Golovkin's undercard likely on May 5th 2018. The terms for a 10-round super flyweight match between the two teams had been agreed upon, but the date and location were not confirmed until the fight was announced. González will be on the undercard after Golovkin's vs. Martirosyan was announced at the StubHub Center in Carson on May 5th. González issued a statement on April 24 that he would not fight on May 5 because an opponent was not yet confirmed. He went on to state that he will most likely return in Nicaragua in June 2018, where he last appeared in 2015. Gonzalez, González's boss, was unable to obtain a VISA. On 30 days, three planned appointments had been postponed. As González needed a camp outside of Nicaragua, Blandon said they were still waiting on the VISA issue. González is expected to return in September 2018, according to he. The California State Athletic Commission ordered González to perform new neurological tests before the ban was lifted, according to a source on May 30, 2018. After losing to Rungvisai in September 2017, González first passed the exams. The reason for the additional tests would be for a precautionary purpose.

González was looking for a challenge for the Canelo lvarez vs. Gennady Golovkin rematch on September 15th at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada, according to ElNuevoDiario on July 13, 2018. Pedro Guevara and Moisés Fuentes, the former world minimumweight champions (25–5, 14, 14 KOs), were likely opponents at the time. González would face Fuentes in a 10-round match on August 20 to open the PPV telecast. After being knocked out Fuentes in round 5, González returned to winning ways. At 1 minute, 44 seconds, Fuentes was well beaten and bloody at the time, when referee Robert Byrd slowed the fight. If he did land, Fuentes lacked the ability to offend González. González ruled Fuentes with sustained combinations in the same way he had before. In round 2, Fuentes was cut in the right eye, and his visibility was hampered by the dripping blood. González did not focus on the eye; rather, he mixed up his shots from body to head. Round 1 saw no action as both boxers fought cautiously. González received $200,000, while Fuentes earned $35,000 for the game. González landed 145 of 390 punches (47%), according to CompuBox, although Fuentes received only 47 of his 244 thrown (19%).

González would return to the ring on October 31, 2018 on HBO's final televised boxing card. In a 10-round match, according to ESPN Deportes, the likely opponent was former world champion Pedro Guevara (323-3–1, 19 KOs). The brawl in Carson, California, was announced a day later.

González could not recover from a knee injury suffered during his training camp and would not face Guevara on November 25. Following an arthroscopic surgery, González will be out for up to six weeks. Juan Francisco Estrada will most likely replace González and face Guevara on the same card, according to Loeffler.

González underwent successful surgery on his right knee in early December.

González returned to the ring on Sunday, under the Ryta Murata – Steven Butler fight in Yokohama, Japan, on the undercard. Diomel Diocos, 14–6–3, 4 KOs), his foe, was defeated by him. González wasted no time and sank quickly to defeat the overmatched Diocos in the second round, putting him in jeopardy. Referee Yuji Fukuchi ordered the prosecution to be called off and gave Diocos a standing eight count for him to collect himself. González, however, landed punches on Diocos at free will, causing the referee to step in and put the game on a break, giving González the victory via second-round stoppage.

González will face WBA (Regular) superflyweight champion Kal Yafai at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas, on January 14, 2020. The match was fought in the undercard by Mikey Garcia vs. Jessie Vargas, a welterweight main event.

Despite having some success in the early rounds, Yafai was unable to fully capitalize on his bigger size and reach advantage, allowing González to get closer and dictate the match's pace with his unstoppable pressure and bruising body shots. González' high success and body attacks began early on the game, with the champion becoming more depressed and worn out, as well as losing his mouthpiece several times during the war. González's seventh round started with a sluggish Yafai and a broad right hand that knocked the champion off balance. In the eighth round, Yafai finally collapsed to the ground from a series of punches, but he kept up to finish the final few seconds of the round on his feet. González quickly ended the match in the ninth round after landing a massive overhand right that put Yafai on the ground for the second time. Referee Luis Pabon finished the match at 0:29 p.m., winning González the WBA (Regular) title in the ninth round of TKO. González was ahead of all three judges' scorecards at 80–71, 77–74, and 78–73 at the time of the suspension. He was later promoted to WBA (Super) champion and announced that he intends to face the other champions in super flyweight to unify the respective titles.

Gonzalez was ranked #3 in the WBA and mandatory challenger on October 23, 2020, ranking Israel Gonzalez at #23. Gonzalez defended his belt by ruling the majority of the game and winning unanimous decision, 118-111, 116–1112.#

Gonzalez met Juan Francisco Estrada, the WBC and The Ring super flyweight champion, on March 13, 2021. This was the second time the two met since winning in unanimous decision for Gonzalez in their first fight in 2012. Both fighters threw a lot of punches together, with Compubox giving them both 2,529 thrown punches together, making it the largest fight at 115 pounds the company has ever tracked. Gonzalez appeared to have barely defeated Estrada in a close and thrilling contest. However, Estrada won the split-decision contest despite two judges' decision 117-111 and 113-113, while Gonzalez's third judge was 115-113.

Gonzalzez was supposed to face Juan Francisco Estrada in a three-fight in the main event of a DAZN broadcast card on March 5th, 2022, at Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California. Estrada was forced to leave the fight due to a positive COVID-19 sample, and the WBC flyweight champion was swapped for Estrada, who arrived on a six-week notice. Gonzalez won the referendum by a majority vote, with the judges determining the war 118–110, 117–111, and 116–112 in favor of Gonzalez.

Gonzalez will face Juan Francisco Estrada for the third time in his professional career on September 3rd. The match, which took place at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, featured a DAZN broadcast card.

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