Roman Gonzalez: What is Next for the Flyweight Phenom?

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By “The Aficionado” Alan J. Kindred

If you readers are anything like me and witnessed Flyweight world champion (RSR Champion) Roman Gonzalez 43-0, 37 KO’s, fight live for the first time on HBO earlier this year on May 16th, you are just waiting anxiously for his return so you can see him in action again. At 43-0, 37 KO’s, Gonzalez has laid waste to the misguided cliché that “little guys don’t score knockouts.” Gonzalez wowed fans in May with his skilled seek and destroy “like a guided missile” style, obliterating former world champion Edgar Sosa in two one-sided rounds. He is bringing light to lowest divisions that have gone dim since the departure of legends Humberto Gonzalez 43-3, 30 KO’s, Michael Carbajal 49-4, 33 KO’s, and Ricardo Lopez 51-0-1, 38 KO’s, in the late 90s and early 2000s.

At 28 years of age Gonzalez is already a three division world champion, winning the 105 lbs. world title in September of 2008, the 108 lbs. world title in October of 2010, and the 112 lbs. world title in September of 2014. He has made 10 defenses over three reigns and is still counting, for a total record of 13-0, 9 KO’s in world championship bouts. The 112 lbs. Flyweight division has a number of interesting challengers for Gonzalez as well as one division above at 115 lbs., and one division below at 108 lbs. Let us take a look at some of the elite lower weight class fighters that would provide an interesting challenge to Flyweight kingpin Roman Gonzalez.

At 108 lbs. the true and lineal champion is (RSR Champion) Donnie Nietes, 36-1-4, 21 KO’s, who just recently defended his world championship against young former champion Francisco Rodriguez. Nietes possesses a lot of subtle skills and boxing intangibles that may give Gonzalez some trouble. Gonzalez has enough power and skills to trouble Nietes even more so however. If they were to fight the smart money would be on a Gonzalez victory, although it would be interesting to see if Nietes could make it a close fight or last the distance.

At 112 lbs. there are a few candidates that may provide an engaging challenge. (RSR#1) Juan Francisco Estrada, 32-2, 23 KO’s who gave Gonzalez one of his best challenges in an exciting fight that went the distance (The last opponent to do so), would love a rematch. The likely outcome of a rematch would be another competitive and exciting fight with Gonzalez coming out on top. The best thing about a rematch would be that this time, it might be televised on HBO for all to see.

Another intriguing matchup at 112 lbs. would be against the highly skilled (RSR #2) Amnat Ruenroeng, 16-0, 5 KO’s. Ruenroeng is like the Bernard Hopkins or Andre Ward of the lower weight classes, specializing in eliminating the best offensive asset the opponent has, whether tactically with skill, or even using less than ethical mechanics, if you know what I mean. He is a fighter who will stretch the rules, breaking his opponent rhythm at all costs in order to secure victory. He would be a hard fighter to look good against. This is the reason I’d love to see the fight, I want to see if Roman Gonzalez can look good against this highly skilled spoiler type. I do think Gonzalez finds a way to win, likely by out hustling the crafty Ruenroeng in an ugly rough and tumble fight. If Gonzalez was able to score an impressive KO against this guy it would be a nice feather in his cap.

Lesser known (RSR #3) Kazuto Ioka, 17-1, 10 KO’s, has quietly been building a resume nearly as impressive as Gonzalez. Like Gonzalez, Ioka has won world titles at 105 lbs., 108 lbs., and 112 lbs. His only loss is a disputed one to Ruenroeng by split decision. A fight between these two Triple Crown champions would be a very interesting one. Just the fact that they both have won world titles in three different weight classes would help sell the fight. Still, it is hard to go against Gonzalez if these two were to fight, but I’d bank on it being competitive with Ioka having his moments.

At 115 lbs. there are two fighters that could potentially produce fights of epic proportions against Gonzalez. First we will take a look at (RSR #3) Carlos Cuadras, 32-0-1, 25 KO’s, who may have a chance at engaging in a power punching slugfest with Gonzalez due to his size advantage. As of now this fight is a close call as I have not seen Gonzalez competing at 115 lbs. against top competition just yet. My instinct still tells me to bet on Gonzalez in a fight of the year candidate slugfest.

Saving the best battle for last, I give you “The Monster,” two division champion (RSR #1) Naoya Inoue, 8-0, 7 KO’s. He has won world titles at 108 lbs. and 115 lbs. skipping over 112 lbs. The ease in which he dispatched long time champion (RSR #2) Omar Narvaez, 43-2-2, 23 KO’s, was frightening. He obliterated Narvaez inside two rounds, something even the much larger Nonito Donaire failed to do when he beat Narvaez by decision in October of 2011. Unfortunately the battering of Narvaez cost Inoue time in the ring when he severely fractured his hand, even requiring surgery. Inoue has been out of action for nearly eight months and has no date of return as of yet. However when he does return, hopefully at 115 lbs. (He is only 22 and still growing), I hope the powers that be can make this super fight. It would be the biggest lower weight fight since the mid-90s trilogy of Michael Carbajal and Humberto Gonzalez. To me there is no fight I’d rather see in the sport more than this one. If it were to go down, I have no idea who would win the contest, both are freaks of nature with their uncanny attributes and skills, Inoue with his monster power and athleticism, and Gonzalez with his seemingly perfect blend of power, precision, and aggression. All I can say is, I would happily slap down some PPV money to see this, regardless of the undercard, and you know how I love my stacked undercards.

What is next for Roman Gonzalez? I hope it is one of these foes on my list here. Gonzalez may already be a borderline Hall of Famer with his accomplishments as is, but a few more wins over this like, would make him a lock. These elite lower weight fighters, along with Gonzalez, are ready to give us some great fights. All they need is the opportunity to shine on live TV. How high in weight can Gonzalez climb? At 5 foot 3 inches, he isn’t that tallest guy, but you can see by his style, he knows how to cut distance and get inside doing a nice prime Joe Fraizer impression. 122 lbs. champion Guillermo Rigondeaux is only an inch taller than Gonzalez, so it isn’t impossible for shorter fighters to have success. Could Gonzalez climb as far as 122 lbs.? That I do not know for certain, but I’d imagine that 115 lbs. and 118 lbs. are a good possibility eventually. He has said he only moved up from 105 lbs. and 108 lbs. because he couldn’t find fights, not because he could no longer make the weight. It will be interesting to follow this Flyweight phenom’s career as long as the ride lasts.

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