BoxRec

The card is targeted for Mexico City

Earlier this month, Eddie Hearn revealed that champions Juan Fracisco Estrada, Roman Gonzalez, and Julio Cesar Martinez would likely share an October tripleheader. Now, Mike Coppinger’s got a potential date and suite of opponents: Estrada vs. Carlos Cuadras, Gonzalez against Israel Gonzalez, and Martinez against Maximino Flores on October 23rd.

Nicaragua’s TN8 also reports the date and lineup. ESPN’s Fernando Barbosa claims that the card will take place in Mexico City.

Estrada (40-3, 27 KO) narrowly defeated Cuadras (39-3-1, 27 KO) in 2017 on the strength of a 10th-round knockdown. The two have been on rather disparate trajectories since; Estrada went on to split a pair of wars with Srisaket Sor Rungvisai to claim the WBC title and defend it with a thumping of Dewayne Beamon, while Cuadras suffered a shock loss to McWilliams Arroyo before entering rehab for substance abuse. He’s 3-0 over marginal competition since.

“Chocolatito” (49-2, 41 KO) will be making the first defense of his WBA “super” title, which he took from Kal Yafai in February with a throwback performance. With Joshua Franco and Andrew Moloney set to rematch for the “regular” and mandatory status, 23-year-old Gonzalez (25-3, 11 KO) gets his third crack at gold. He fell short in previous efforts against Jerwin Ancajas and Kal Yafai, though he recently took a split decision over former title challenger Sho Ishida.

Should Estrada and Gonzalez win, Coppinger reports that they’ve “agreed” to square off in either February or March in a long-awaited rematch.

Martinez (16-1, 12 KO) vs. Flores (25-4-2, 17 KO) could be absolute mayhem. “Max” may not have the prettiest record, but he’s just as much of a Vicious Little Bastard (tm) as “Rey.” The guy once threw over 270 punches in a single round; he’ll probably still get merked, but damn if it won’t be entertaining while it lasts.

Press Release

Matchroom return to Mexico on Friday October 23 at TV Azteca Studios in Mexico City with a World title triple-header led by champions Juan Francisco Estrada, Román ‘Chocolatito’ González and Julio Cesar Martinez, live on DAZN in the US and on TV Azteca in Mexico, on a huge fight night brought to you by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing with Zanfer Promotions.

Juan Francisco Estrada (40-3 27 KOs) will defend his WBC and Ring Magazine World Super-Flyweight titles in a rematch with Carlos Cuadras. Estrada makes the second defense of the belts having stopped Dewayne Beamon in nine rounds of action in Hermosillo in Mexico in August 2019, four months after ripping the belts from Srisaket Sor Rungvisai with a brilliant performance in their rematch in Los Angeles.

Victory in Mexico City for both Estrada and Chocolatito could lead to a rematch between the pair eight years after Chocolatito won their first meeting, but Cuadras has other ideas.

Estrada and Cuadras tangled for the first time in September 2017 in an ultra-competitive showdown, where an 11th round knockdown by Estrada proved decisive in all three judges awarding him the fight by a solitary point. Cuadras (39-3-1 27 KOs) enters the bout with three wins on the spin and the 32 year old will be putting it all on the line to become a two-time WBC champion at Super-Flyweight.

“I am excited to return to the ring,” said Estrada. “it has been tough months for the whole world and we want to give a great show to all the fans of this sport.

“The first fight against Cuadras was a good fight, without a doubt this will be too. Also, we are going to share the show Chocolatito and I and if everything goes well, we hope to see each other again soon.”

“I am going to correct the mistakes that were made in the first fight against Gallo to go out with my hand up in this new opportunity that is being presented to me,” said Cuadras. “I want to show that I am one of the best in this division.”

Chocolatito (49-2 41 KOs) is back at the summit of the sport after rolling back the years with a vintage win over Kal Yafai in February. The Nicaraguan ace stopped the unbeaten Briton in the ninth round in Dallas to become a World Super-Flyweight champion for the second time, and the four weight World ruler will defend the WBA belt he ripped from Yafai and aim to set up another clash with Estrada against a former Yafai victim, Israel Gonzalez.

Gonzalez (25-3 11 KOs) ran Yafai close for the WBA crown in Monte Carlo in November 2018 and his clash with Chocolatito will be his third World title shot having challenged Jerwin Ancajas for the IBF strap in February 2018.

“I want to thank God for giving me the strength to endure the sport I love and defend my World title,” said Chocolatito. “I want to thank Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing as well as my family of Teiken. I also want to thank all my fans, specially my Mexican friends and Zanfer promotions for giving me this great opportunity, it is truly a blessing to fight in Mexico and I am ready to give my all on October 23.”

“It’s a goal of mine beating Chocolatito especially when the fight is in Mexico,” said Gonzalez. “I feel the compromise of giving a great fight for the fans and for every mexican fighter that have fought for a World title.”

The third World title fight on the bill sees a welcome return to the ring for one of boxing’s most exciting rising stars as Julio Cesar Martinez puts his WBC World Flyweight strap on the line against IBO champion Maximino Flores.

Martinez (16-1 12 KOs) is becoming a must-see attraction in the sport with his all-action style and ferocious power, and the 25 year old Mexican puts his belt on the line for the second time since beating Cristofer Rosales inside nine rounds in December, and seeing off the spirited challenge of Jay Harris in Dallas in February.

Flores (25-4-2 17 KOs) landed the vacant IBO crown in August with victory on hostile territory over Carlo Penalosa in the Philippines, and the 29 year old can add another title straight away with victory in this all-Mexican bout.

“I’ve been preparing very well here with my trainer Mauricio Aceves,” said Martinez. “We’re having a very strong camp. Thank God that I’ve still been able to work out throughout the pandemic. Either my trainer comes to my house or I go to his. Either way I haven’t lost my conditioning.

“Thank God I haven’t been directly affected by the Pandemic. I’ve been able to remain active with running and practical skills with the help of Mauricio. We’re just here putting the final touches on my training but I’m very confident that my trainer has me in the best shape for this upcoming fight”

“The whole world will know my name when I beat Martinez,” said Flores. “It is a unique opportunity in my career, and I have to take advantage of it, all my life I have prepared for this moment”.

Three of Eddie Hearn’s young tyros make their return to action on the bill, with Diego Pacheco (9-0 7 KOs) boxing for the tenth time in the paid ranks, Austin Williams (5-0 4 KOs) making a second foray outside the States in his sixth pro fight and Otha Jones III (5-0 2 KOs) also boxing for the sixth time as a pro.

“I can’t wait for our return to Mexico with this triple-header of World title action,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “Three of the very best World champions are in action and in real tests for their crowns.

“A rematch between Juan Francisco Estrada and Chocolatito is a done deal for the first quarter of 2021 but they both have hard fights ahead. Estrada’s first fight with Carlos Cuadras’ was nip and tuck war, and Carlos is full of confidence that he’ll get a big victory this time.

“Chocolatito was outstanding in beating Brit Kal Yafai in Dallas, and the former pound-for-pound king has a new lease of life as he chases more belts – but must be at his best against his Mexican namesake aiming for third time lucky in his hunt for a World title.

“Julio Cesar Martinez is one of the most thrilling World champions out there right now and I can’t wait to see him back in action. The firecracker Mexican guarantees excitement, and with Maximino Flores having a high KO percentage himself and coming in after landing the IBO belt, this will catch fire straight away.

“Three incredibly talented youngsters are back in the ring on the night in Diego, Ammo and OJIII – it’s a stacked night of action and one not to be missed!”

“We are going to give the fans a high-quality card as they always deserve it,” said Fernando Beltran from Zanfer Promotions. “Very interesting fights with great sports idols who always leave everything in the ring.”

Chocolatito is going to shoot fireworks once again.

Fight Week!

JxhDel. wrote: ↑26 Sep 2020, 09:27 Chocolatito is going to shoot fireworks once again.

that's what she said

Chocolatito Expects a Very Competitive Fight With Gonzalez

The WBA's super flyweight world champion, Nicaragua's Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez, will return to the ring this Friday, at the TV Azteca studios in Mexico, starring in one of the three world title fights that will be presented by Zanfer Promotions and Matchroom Boxing, with live broadcast at the international level on the DAZN platform.

Chocolatito (49-2, 41 KO's), one of the best boxers in the history of the smaller weight divisions, will make the first defense of his WBA championship against Mexican contender Israel "Jiga" González (25-3, 11 KO's).

Also on the card, “King” Julio César Martínez (16-1, 12 KO's) will make the third defense of his WBC flyweight world title against Moisés “Taz” Calleros (33-9-1, 17 KO's), and Juan Francisco “Gallo” Estrada (40-3, 27 KO's) will defend his WBC super flyweight world championship in a rematch against former world champion Carlos "Principe" Cuadras (39-3-1, 27 KO's).

Chocolatito was a special guest at a virtual conference "Martes de Cafe" held by the World Boxing Council, in which was attended by a large number of international press representatives.

González, who will fight for the seventh time in Mexican territory, expressed his appreciation for the treatment he has received in the ocuntry, and said that he never pursued the given nickname of "Mexican Killer."

“I have had to face a lot of Mexicans because in the smaller divisions the Mexicans and the Japanese are the best in the world, and we have had very tremendous fights," Gonzalez said.

"This Friday I expect it to be very competitive, but we are very well prepared to offer a great fight and retain the belt."

Regarding his opponent, “Jiga” González, he said that he has seen him fight and that he is a tough fighter, motivated to go for a world championship in his country and that he will leave everything in the ring to achieve the feat.

Israel beat Kal Yafai was robbed, but Kal got his anyway..

Estrada-Cuadras II DAZN Weigh-In Report From Mexico City

The two-division and reigning lineal junior bantamweight champion attempts the second defense of his crown as he faces former 115-pound titlist Carlos Cuadras. Their bout—a rematch to their September 2017 non-title fight—headlines a three-title fight show, streaming Friday evening live on DAZN from Gimnasio TV Azteca in Mexico City, Mexico.

Both boxers came in at an announced 114.5 pounds (52 kg.), well under the 115-pound divisional limit.

Gonzalez—a four-division champion—enters the first title defense of his second reign as a junior bantamweight title claimant, having reclaimed a belt in a one-sided stoppage of England’s Khalid Yafai this past February. He will defend his belt versus Los Cabos’ Israel Gonzalez (25-3, 11KOs; no relation).

Both boxers weighed an announced 114 pounds (51.7 kg.) for their 12-round contest.

Julio Cesar Martinez (16-1, 12KOs) appears in the first of the three title fights on the night, though his opponent’s eligibility to challenge for his flyweight belt is currently in doubt.

Moises Calleros (33-9-1, 17KOs) answered the call as a replacement for Maximino Flores, who tested positive for COVID. However, the veteran journeyman came in as a bantamweight for a flyweight fight, tipping the scale at a beefy 117.4 pounds (53.3 kg). He will have two hours to shed the weight, although the likelihood is the bout moving forward with Martinez—who weighed 111 pounds—retaining his title status and Calleros paying a fine in order to participate in a non-title fight.

Roman Gonzalez: Yafai Win Was One Of The Biggest Of My Career

“It was one of the biggest of my career, for sure,” Gonzalez told Boxing Scene ahead of his first title defense versus Mexico’s Israel Gonzalez (25-3, 11KOs) this Friday in Mexico City. “I knew I still had it in me but still had to prove it to everyone and maybe even to myself.

“That performance is a memory that I will cherish for a long time.”

“Of all the titles I’ve won, what I appreciate about the last one the most is that it came after my two losses,” notes Gonzalez. “I hit rock bottom in my career and rose all the way back to glory. It’s something I will never forget.”

He looked good again vs Izzy, to come back so well after the losses, at an older age for this weight, is really nice

Astounding those Lopez nuthuggers aren't drooling on Roman. Finito isn't close

Chocolatito Decisions a Game Israel Gonzalez To Retain WBA Title

Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez’s pressure and volume prevented Israel Gonzalez from having any chance of pulling off an upset Friday night.

The four-division champion from Nicaragua aggressively out-worked his challenger and won a 12-round unanimous decision at TV Azteca Studios in Mexico City. The judges scored their 115-pound championship match for Roman Gonzalez by the wide distances of 118-110, 117-111 and 116-112.

Roman Gonzalez (50-2, 41 KOs) made the first defense of the WBA “super” 115-pound championship he won by stopping England’s Kal Yafai in the ninth round of his last fight, February 29 in Frisco, Texas. The 33-year-old Gonzalez has won four straight fights since Srisaket Sor Rungvisai knocked him out in the fourth round of their immediate rematch in September 2017 in Carson, California.

Israel Gonzalez, 23, is 4-3 in his past seven fights and slipped to 25-4 (11 KOs).

Roman Gonzalez’s victory could lead to a rematch with Juan Francisco Estrada. Mexico’s Estrada will fight Carlos Cuadras again in the main event Friday night.

Estrada wants to avenge his 12-round, unanimous-decision defeat to Roman Gonzalez in their WBC 108-pound title fight nearly eight years ago in Los Angeles.

Roman Gonzalez looked Friday night as though the former pound-for-pound king is ready to test the improved Estrada if they fight again.

Israel Gonzalez went after the champion in the final round, but he couldn’t land the type of impactful punch he desperately needed to hurt Roman Gonzalez. The winner continued to out-land Israel Gonzalez and blocked a lot of his opponent’s punches.

Roman Gonzalez’s right hand landed and moved Israel Gonzalez into the ropes with about 45 seconds left in the 11th round.

Israel Gonzalez’s straight right hand snapped back Roman Gonzalez’s head with about a minute to go in the 10th round. Israel Gonzalez’s combination attempt moments earlier stopped Roman Gonzalez from punching and set up that shot.

Roman Gonzalez again applied pressure for most of the ninth round. Israel Gonzalez tried to fend him off, but his experienced opponent just kept coming forward.

Israel Gonzalez landed a straight right hand about 40 seconds into the eighth round, in which he was more active than in previous rounds.

An overhand right by Roman Gonzalez landed just before the halfway point of the seventh round. Israel Gonzalez backed against the ropes in the final minute of the seventh round and allowed Roman Gonzalez to unload punches, but he regained his composure and threw some punches back at Roman Gonzalez before that round ended.

Israel Gonzalez landed a right uppercut about 20 seconds into the sixth round. Roman Gonzalez seemingly built on his lead in that round with a high volume of punches.

Israel Gonzalez unleashed a flurry of punches just after the midway mark of the fifth round, but Roman Gonzalez slipped or blocked most of those shots.

Otherwise, Roman Gonzalez spent the fifth round pressuring his opponent and trying to land to his head and body. Israel Gonzalez also appeared to block many of Roman Gonzalez’s punches in that round.

Roman Gonzalez’s straight right backed up Israel Gonzalez with about 1:05 remaining in the fourth round. About 10 seconds later, Israel Gonzalez fired back with a sharp combination that got Roman Gonzalez’s attention.

Roman Gonzalez swarmed Israel Gonzalez during the third round, when he landed a straight right hand that knocked Israel Gonzalez into the ropes with just over 1:20 left in it.

A left hook by Israel Gonzalez caught Roman Gonzalez when he came forward about 30 seconds into the second round. Unlike the first round, Israel Gonzalez began letting his hands go early in the second round.

A right hand by Roman Gonzalez nailed Israel Gonzalez on the side of his head with about 20 seconds to go in the second round.

Roman Gonzalez pursued Israel Gonzalez throughout the first round. Israel Gonzalez moved well and avoided almost all of Roman Gonzalez’s power punches in those opening three minutes.

Outstanding performance from Chocolatito, vintage stuff, I like Israel he's a tough hombre, had pockets of success, worked the body well despite being the taller man and he never stopped fighting but Chocolatito oozed class, his pressure ,footwork, angles and combination punching was top drawer, he never gave Gonzalez a moments peace he was constantly breathing down his neck getting up close and throwing beautiful combinations from all angles, every punch in the book and he got better every round, loved it