Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Roman Gonzalez III | DAZN - 3 December 2022

[Ruthless-RKO]

Sources: Juan Francisco Estrada, Roman Gonzalez set for March 5 trilogy boxing bout

Juan Francisco Estrada and Roman "Chocolatito" Gonzalez are set to battle one more time.

The future Hall of Famers have signed contracts for a unified 115-pound championship fight on March 5 at Pechanga Arena in San Diego, multiple sources told ESPN. Estrada-Gonzalez 3 will headline a Matchroom Boxing on DAZN show.

"When you talk about great rivalries over the years, this is right up there," promoter Eddie Hearn told ESPN in August. "Fight 1 was a classic, and Fight 2 was probably the best I have ever seen live. The decider will be historic."

Estrada (42-3, 28 KOs) eked out a controversial split decision over Gonzalez in March, a brutal battle that was ESPN's runner-up for fight of the year. They combined for 2,529 punches, a CompuBox record at 115 pounds.

With the victory, Estrada grabbed a second junior bantamweight title and retained his No. 1 spot in ESPN's junior bantamweight rankings (Gonzalez is No. 2). The 31-year-old Mexican boxer is also No. 9 in ESPN's pound-for-pound rankings.

The rematch came more than eight years -- and two weight classes -- after their first fight. When they met in 2008, Gonzalez won a unanimous decision to retain his 108-pound championship in another firefight.

The 34-year-old Nicaraguan boxer went on to win titles at 112 pounds and 115; he was once recognized as the No. 1 pound-for-pound boxer in the world.

That was before Gonzalez (50-3, 41 KOs) was viciously knocked out by Srisaket Sor Rungvisai in a 2017 rematch, not just back-to-back losses to Sor Rungvisai but the first two losses of his career. It wasn't the end for Chocolatito, though.

He mounted a comeback that culminated with a ninth-round TKO of Kal Yafai in February 2020 to reclaim a 115-pound title, before battling Estrada once more.

Now that the third fight is set, Gonzalez and Estrada figure to cap one of the greatest trilogies in recent memory with the series tied 1-1.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release | Mauricio Lara vs. Emilio Sanchez Added To Estrada-Chocolatito 3

Mauricio Lara returns to action against Emilio Sanchez at the Pechanga Arena San Diego in San Diego, California on March 5, live worldwide on DAZN, on a packed event topped by the mouth-watering trilogy clash between Juan Francisco Estrada and Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez.

Lara (23-2-1 16 KOs) makes a welcome return to the ring following his nasty cut in his rematch with Josh Warrington. The Mexican traveled to Yorkshire in September to take on the Leeds man at Headingley Stadium in a rematch having stunned the boxing world by stopping for former World ruler in the ninth round of their clash in February in London. The rematch was heating up before an accidental headclash in the second round left Lara with a nasty gash over his left eye and the contest had to be waved off.

The 23 year old has healed up and will look to get back into the mix for major bouts and World title action at Featherweight, and the first man in the way of his path to the top table is Sanchez (19-1 12 KOs). The 27 year old Californian will be looking to provide an upset of his own in the biggest fight of his eight year career to date, with Sanchez fighting over ten rounds for the second time in his career and entering the fight on the back of his 12th KO win back in May over the experienced Christian Esquivel.

There’s a stacked card in support of the trilogy clash between Estrada and Chocolatito – with the focus on Eddie Hearn’s bright young talents and an exciting debutant.

Angel Fierro is eager to gatecrash the party at the top of the Lightweight division, and the WBO #4 will display his credentials in the second defense of his WBO NABO title against Juan Carlos Burgos. Fierro (19-1-1 15 KOs) picked up the vacant title with a stunning KO win over Alberto Machado in March – climbing off the deck in the first and second rounds to put the former World ruler away in the sixth. The 23 year old San Diego based Mexican blasted Cristian Bielma away in four rounds in his first defense in Puerto Vallarta in November, and will be looking to make a similar statement against the experienced former World title challenger Burgos (34-6-2 21 KOs).

Diego Pacheco (13-0 10 KOs) fights in the paid ranks for the 14th time and the rangy Super-Middleweight tastes eight round action for the fourth time against Genc Pllana (9-3-1 5 KOs).

Marc Castro (5-5 5 KOs) is in his sixth pro fight and has yet to go the full distance, his opponent over six rounds will be named soon.

Anthony Herrera (1-0 1 KO) made an explosive start to the pro game with a second round KO win on the undercard of the Teofimo Lopez vs. George Kambosos Jr blockbuster in New York in November, and the 21 year old former Team USA talent goes for the second time in San Diego against an opponent to be named.

Debutant Skye Nicolson completes the card, and the Australian star will make her long-anticipated debut at Featherweight in California. The 26 year old won Commonwealth Games gold at her home games in 2016 and represented Australia at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, and now looks to translate her amateur success into the paid ranks.

“This is a great night of boxing with a stacked undercard beneath a brilliant main event,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “You have so many fighters on this card that can become big stars in the future. Mauricio recorded one of the upsets of 2021 against Josh and is looking to cement his name as a real contender at Featherweight.

“There’s some exciting young stars in action on the rest of the card. Angel is chasing down his fellow contenders and champions at Lightweight, Diego is such a handful and is ready to step up this year, Marc has blasted every opponent away to date, Anthony looked the business on his debut and Skye is going to be a big hit in the paid ranks – March 5 is going to be a spectacular night of action from start to finish.”

[NoScoutingReports]

Two brilliant operators, still can't believe Roman didn't get the nod in fight two but that's boxing, hope Gonzalez can pull it off again in the rubber match but rate both men highly and have no problem seeing them fight a third time!

[Ruthless-RKO]

Two brilliant operators, still can't believe Roman didn't get the nod in fight two but that's boxing, hope Gonzalez can pull it off again in the rubber match but rate both men highly and have no problem seeing them fight a third time!

Yeh, should be 2-0.

Still wouldn't mind seeing a 3rd regardless.

Gutted for Choco - he's so humble.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Joshua Franco: I'm Ready To Step In For Estrada In This Fight With Chocolatito

Joshua Franco is willing to advance from challenger in waiting to late replacement to save the show.

A current void exists in DAZN’s 1st quarter schedule, with its March 5 main event in disarray. BS,com has confirmed that lineal/WBA “Super” 115-pound champion Juan Francisco Estrada has tested positive for Covid and is symptomatic, which has forced him out of a scheduled rubber match with former four-division Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez.

As contingency plans are being considered, San Antonio’s Franco (18-1-2, 8KOs) is ready to go should event handlers choose to proceed with the show.

"I'm ready to step in for (Estrada) in this fight with Chocolatito,” Franco told BS.com. “I've been waiting for this chance as I'm the best in the division and will prove it.”

Franco claimed his version of the WBA junior bantamweight title following a June 2020 twelve-round, unanimous decision win over then-unbeaten Andrew Moloney. The bout kicked off an unlikely trilogy, with their November 2020 rematch mired in controversy and ending in a No-Decision after two rounds. Franco won the third fight via unanimous decision last August, at which time he was assured by the WBA of being next in line for a mandatory title shot.

The ruling specified that Franco was due the winner of the already agreed-upon third fight between Estrada (42-3, 28KOs) and Gonzalez (50-3, 41KOs). The trilogy clash was due to headline a planned October 16 show, only for Gonzalez to test positive for Covid. Matchroom Boxing moved forward with the event with a modified headliner that saw Spain’s Sandor Martin score a massive upset win over former four-division titlist Mikey Garcia.

The fight was relocated to the recently announced March 5 DAZN card to take place at Pechanga Arena in San Diego. The date would have seen the fight come exactly 51 weeks from their memorable rematch when Hermosillo, Mexico’s Estrada claimed an unpopular split decision victory to unify the WBA/WBC titles in one of the best fights of 2021.

Covid also forced Matchroom to reshuffle the deck for its February 5 show in Glendale, Arizona once former two-division titleholder Jessie Vargas tested positive and was forced to withdraw from his scheduled showdown with former junior middleweight titlist Liam Smith. The card already had a far more appealing co-feature in the vacant WBC junior bantamweight title fight rematch between Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (50-5-1, 43KOs) and Carlos Cuadras (39-4-1, 27KOs), which is now the main event and with the show relocated from Glendale to Phoenix.

The bout obviously leaves Sor Rungvisai and Cuadras unavailable to replace Estrada one month later. WBO junior bantamweight titlist Kazuto Ioka (28-2, 15KOs) is coming off a twelve-round, unanimous decision win over countryman Ryoji Fukunaga last New Year’s Eve in Tokyo, while IBF junior bantamweight titlist Jerwin Ancajas (33-1-2, 22KOs) is slated to face Argentina’s Fernando Daniel Martinez as part of a February 26 Showtime tripleheader from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

As the Estrada-Gonzalez would already be mandated to next face Franco as the mandatory challenger, switching the order would make perfect sense.

“Joshua Franco is ready and [has] been in the gym,” noted Rick Mirigian, Franco’s manager. “I’m waiting by the phone, Eddie Hearn for Golden Boy Promotions (Joshua’s promoter) for us to get it done. It’s the perfect step in and a bigger fight all things considered.”

[maverick23]

Joshua Franco: I'm Ready To Step In For Estrada In This Fight With Chocolatito

Joshua Franco is willing to advance from challenger in waiting to late replacement to save the show.

A current void exists in DAZN’s 1st quarter schedule, with its March 5 main event in disarray. BS,com has confirmed that lineal/WBA “Super” 115-pound champion Juan Francisco Estrada has tested positive for Covid and is symptomatic, which has forced him out of a scheduled rubber match with former four-division Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez.

As contingency plans are being considered, San Antonio’s Franco (18-1-2, 8KOs) is ready to go should event handlers choose to proceed with the show.

"I'm ready to step in for (Estrada) in this fight with Chocolatito,” Franco told BS.com. “I've been waiting for this chance as I'm the best in the division and will prove it.”

Franco claimed his version of the WBA junior bantamweight title following a June 2020 twelve-round, unanimous decision win over then-unbeaten Andrew Moloney. The bout kicked off an unlikely trilogy, with their November 2020 rematch mired in controversy and ending in a No-Decision after two rounds. Franco won the third fight via unanimous decision last August, at which time he was assured by the WBA of being next in line for a mandatory title shot.

The ruling specified that Franco was due the winner of the already agreed-upon third fight between Estrada (42-3, 28KOs) and Gonzalez (50-3, 41KOs). The trilogy clash was due to headline a planned October 16 show, only for Gonzalez to test positive for Covid. Matchroom Boxing moved forward with the event with a modified headliner that saw Spain’s Sandor Martin score a massive upset win over former four-division titlist Mikey Garcia.

The fight was relocated to the recently announced March 5 DAZN card to take place at Pechanga Arena in San Diego. The date would have seen the fight come exactly 51 weeks from their memorable rematch when Hermosillo, Mexico’s Estrada claimed an unpopular split decision victory to unify the WBA/WBC titles in one of the best fights of 2021.

Covid also forced Matchroom to reshuffle the deck for its February 5 show in Glendale, Arizona once former two-division titleholder Jessie Vargas tested positive and was forced to withdraw from his scheduled showdown with former junior middleweight titlist Liam Smith. The card already had a far more appealing co-feature in the vacant WBC junior bantamweight title fight rematch between Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (50-5-1, 43KOs) and Carlos Cuadras (39-4-1, 27KOs), which is now the main event and with the show relocated from Glendale to Phoenix.

The bout obviously leaves Sor Rungvisai and Cuadras unavailable to replace Estrada one month later. WBO junior bantamweight titlist Kazuto Ioka (28-2, 15KOs) is coming off a twelve-round, unanimous decision win over countryman Ryoji Fukunaga last New Year’s Eve in Tokyo, while IBF junior bantamweight titlist Jerwin Ancajas (33-1-2, 22KOs) is slated to face Argentina’s Fernando Daniel Martinez as part of a February 26 Showtime tripleheader from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

As the Estrada-Gonzalez would already be mandated to next face Franco as the mandatory challenger, switching the order would make perfect sense.

“Joshua Franco is ready and [has] been in the gym,” noted Rick Mirigian, Franco’s manager. “I’m waiting by the phone, Eddie Hearn for Golden Boy Promotions (Joshua’s promoter) for us to get it done. It’s the perfect step in and a bigger fight all things considered.”

I quite like the fight as a replacement but I can’t see it happening. I always get the impression (like when Diaz fought Haney) that Golden Boy/Matchroom hammer the other one on costs for for a fighter when they fight on the other’s show.

I think it’s more likely to see the fight postponed 6 weeks/2months and replaced by the Liam Smith fight as the headliner.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Even Ancajas could be a replacement.

[NoScoutingReports]

Another one bites the dust, Franco would be a very decent replacement in the circumstances. Ancajas is crying out for a marquee fight, gutted him and Ioka got canned last month.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Another one bites the dust, Franco would be a very decent replacement in the circumstances. Ancajas is crying out for a marquee fight, gutted him and Ioka got canned last month.

Well, the fights not off yet, when it was first announced, they said there was sill 7 weeks til fight night or so, so the fights still on as far as we're aware.

[NoScoutingReports]

Another one bites the dust, Franco would be a very decent replacement in the circumstances. Ancajas is crying out for a marquee fight, gutted him and Ioka got canned last month.

Well, the fights not off yet, when it was first announced, they said there was sill 7 weeks til fight night or so, so the fights still on as far as we're aware.

Fingers crossed then.

[Ruthless-RKO]

“Chocolatito” goes for another boxing record

Nicaragua has produced great fighters and has a very interesting boxing history. Boxers like Alexis Argüello, Rosendo Álvarez, Eddy Gazo or Ricardo Mayorga are always mentioned when talking about boxing in the Central American country, but there is a current name that also enters the conversation and that is Román “Chocolatito” González.

“Chocolatito” has the opportunity to set another record for his country and it could happen if he gets a win in his next fight against Juan Francisco Estrada. He would become the oldest Nicaraguan fighter to be world champion as he will be 34 years and nine months old by the time of the fight (March 5).

If he wins, he will surpass “Búfalo” Alvarez, who at the age of 32 won his WBA flyweight belt and defended it three times until losing it on the scales before what would be his fourth defense against Beibis Mendoza. At that time he was 34 years, 8 months and 4 days old.

“Chocolatito” already has an important record with which he surpassed Alexis Argüello and is the only one in his country with four world crowns. However, he wants to continue writing history and making achievements in an excellent career.

[maverick23]

There’s talk of JC Martinez stepping in here. Another good fight but I think it’s too soon for Martinez.

[Ruthless-RKO]

There’s talk of JC Martinez stepping in here. Another good fight but I think it’s too soon for Martinez.

He's going up in weight?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Look like it's off then, but Martinez is moving up to fight Gonzalez.

[maverick23]

Look like it's off then, but Martinez is moving up to fight Gonzalez.

Martinez is confirmed. Crazy fight!

[gregregegg]

Look like it's off then, but Martinez is moving up to fight Gonzalez.

Huge fight for no belt.

[Counter-puncher]

JESUS

Martinez = warrior

This fight =

Me =

Somewhere in Bristol, datsue is a happy man

[Counter-puncher]

Gonzalez is the greatest fighter of the last ten years.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Gonzalez is the greatest fighter of the last ten years.

He was rightly ranked P4P after Ward retired.

A lot of people protested though.

[handsofstone]

The greatest replacement of all times ammarite?

[Ruthless-RKO]

The greatest replacement of all times ammarite?

These smaller men are bigger than the bigger men.

They just wanna fight. They warriors. True warriors.

[handsofstone]

Gonzalez is the greatest fighter of the last ten years.

He was rightly ranked P4P after Ward retired.

A lot of people protested though.

The decision in the first Rungvisai fight still irks me, I know King Rat iced Gonzalez in the rematch but if Chocolatito got the nod first time then who knows what we could've missed out on, still great to see him back at the top regardless where he is on the p4p lists

[handsofstone]

The greatest replacement of all times ammarite?

These smaller men are bigger than the bigger men.

They just wanna fight. They warriors. True warriors.

No egos down there, same with Cruisers

[Ruthless-RKO]

Gonzalez is the greatest fighter of the last ten years.

He was rightly ranked P4P after Ward retired.

A lot of people protested though.

The decision in the first Rungvisai fight still irks me, I know King Rat iced Gonzalez in the rematch but if Chocolatito got the nod first time then who knows what we could've missed out on, still great to see him back at the top regardless where he is on the p4p lists

Yh, he’s been done on the scorecards.

A very humble man, and they do that to him.

The Rung fight was close, but like you said.

Who knows what could have happened.

[Counter-puncher]

Gonzalez is the greatest fighter of the last ten years.

He was rightly ranked P4P after Ward retired.

A lot of people protested though.

The decision in the first Rungvisai fight still irks me

One of the best fights, and one of the greatest performances (Gonzalez I mean) I have ever seen.

The way he was able to assert his technique, under the huge weight of pressure that Rungvisai’s physicality brought to bear on him, was sublime. I mean I was involuntarily crying out at points*, in awe.

That his incredible career lacks having his greatest performance (IMO) at the pinnacle is sad.


* i was nearly in tears watching the Estrada rematch. Just, that it lived up to every expectation- I knew it wouldn’t let me down!- and how much I fuckin love those two little fuckers.