One of boxing’s modern greats is in action this weekend as Roman Gonzalez aims to add even more chapters to what has already been an incredible story.
Awaiting the decorated Nicaraguan is Mexico’s Juan Francisco Estrada and with top honours at super-flyweight on the line, the fight, screened exclusively on DAZN, is one that has the entire boxing industry buzzing.
The highly-talented pair squared off in 2012 when Gonzalez was the victor via unanimous decision, but they have walked different paths ever since. “Chocolatito’s” invincible aura was ripped from him in 2017 when he lost twice to Srisaket Rungvisai, but the Thai’s dominance was short-lived when he was defeated by Estrada in April 2019.
Although this is a rematch, both fighters are in different places compared to their inaugural meeting nine years ago. Promoter Eddie Hearn couldn’t hide his excitement for the meeting when appearing as a guest on the most recent Ak and Barak Show.
“Can you imagine this fight on Saturday being anything but a 12 round brutal war?” asked Hearn. “I know someone can get stopped but it’s going to be all action isn’t it? This fight is not just for hardcore fans, this fight is for boxing fans on Saturday. I just think we’re going to get something really, really special.”
On the subject of whether either fighter can become a bigger star, Hearn expressed the problems with promoting smaller weight fighters. “The main problem is the weight division. The man on the street doesn’t generally get excited by watching 8st guys go to war. You have to showcase it to those people. You have to tell their story. You have to realise where they come from, but you’re always facing an uphill battle because of their size.
“Those guys who don’t know boxing will look at those two on the scales and go ‘what are these guys? I could take those guys out with one punch.’ And then you watch them get in the ring and you go ‘wow.’ For me, the lighter weight classes are so exciting because they’re non-stop action and you never get a bad fight.”
The Ak and Barak Show is exclusive to DAZN and Sirius XM Fight Nation. To watch all of boxing’s biggest subjects get tackled, watch Ak and Barak here.