 |
| Photo: Yahoo Sports |
By Peter Silkov
Sometimes
boxing promises big things, but fails to deliver. Last night’s 115
pound triple header at the Stub Hub Centre, California, promised much
with its three main contests featuring five of the best 115-pounders
in the world getting it on. In the end, it did not disappoint.
Fighting in front of a raucous and excited crowd, the bill was a
testament to how boxing's lighter warriors often provide the sports
heaviest action. Yet it was a bitter sweet affair, as the shocking
defeat of former pound-for-pound number one, Roman Gonzalez,
indicated that the man who has done so much to generate interest in
the sport's lightest divisions over the past 10 years, may not be
able to reap the benefits of the public's new found awareness.
Last
night was supposed to be the scene of Roman’s revenge over
Rungvisai, after a bloody and controversial defeat six months ago,
which had cost him his WBC world super-flyweight title. It had also
shorn Roman of his unbeaten record, which included 80 amateur fights
unbeaten, and his status as the pound-for-pound number one in the
world. In an era where world titles are seemingly won at a drop of a
hat, and weight divisions jumped after a few extra milkshakes, Roman
Gonzalez was a throwback to the times when a champion stayed at his
division and asserted his dominance before moving up. Don’t confuse
Roman Gonzalez’s multiple world titles with Adrien Broner's tiny
haul. There was nothing contrived about Gonzalez’s world title
victories at four weights over the course of nine years. This was not
a big man boiling down to a weight that he should never be fighting
at either. Gonzalez has always been a genuine small fighter. This is
not a featherweight posing as a flyweight.
 |
| First meeting with Rungvisai |
Unfortunately,
last night the indications were that ,Gonzalez’s pugilistic honesty
had come face-to-face with the harsh reality of boxing, and left him
flat on his back, a beaten man. As had been feared since he first
moved up and out-pointed Carlos Cuadras last September, to capture
the WBC world super-flyweight title, and become one of the few
fighters to win world titles at 4 different weights, it was a weight
too far for ‘Chocolatito.’ Despite the victory over Cuadras,
‘Chocolatito’ had been given one of the hardest fights of his
career, and shipped an unusual amount of punishment, which left him
battered and bloody at the end, while Cuadras was relatively
unmarked. The clues then were that giving away such a significant
amount of natural weight, to the likes of Caudras, was going to be a
major difficulty for Gonzalez.
Any
thoughts that Gonzalez (46-2, 38koes) would find things easier as he
settled into the higher weight were dispelled six months ago when he
was dethroned by Rungvisai (44-4-1, 40koes). Although the decision
itself seemed to be unjust, and the new champion had been guilty of
some flagrant use of the head, the fact remained that once again
‘Chocolatito’ did not look himself. He once more lacked his usual
speed and sharpness, and took far more punishment than was usually
the case for him.
Last
night was supposed to be the night that ‘Chocolatito’ returned to
his best, and prove that he was still boxing’s pound-for-pound,
number one.
Alas
boxing is indeed a cruel endeavour, and perversely it often seems to
be its cruellest to those who have graced it the best. The rematch
between Gonzalez and Rungvisai was not so much a rematch, as it was a
demolition. ‘Chocolatito’ never seemed to be himself, from the
pre-fight screening of his being gloved up in his dressing room, to
the fight itself, this fighter, who usually entered the ring with the
relaxed air that only the greats can carry, seemed tense and
troubled.
As
he was (before their first fight six months ago), Gonzalez looked
highly emotional during the ring introductions, and it was disturbing
to see him in such a state just as he was about to go into action. It
is well known that Gonzalez has been deeply affected by the sudden
death of his trainer, Arnulfo Obando, last November. One can only
wonder how much that loss has contributed to ‘Chocolatito’s’
sudden decline.
 |
| Photo: AP |
When
the action began, it was clear from the beginning that this was not
the ‘Chocolatito’ whom we have come to admire so much for the
best part of the last decade. He seemed hesitant, uncomfortable, and
agonisingly slow of both hand and foot, while the defending champion
quickly took the initiative, and with it, the first round. There was
again a clash of heads between the two, as in the first fight, and
although no damage was done, it only added to Gonzalez’s visible
discomfort. Things were much the same in the second round, as
Gonzalez barrelled forwards, and attempted to take the play away from
Rungvisai, but it was the defending champion who was connecting with
the more punches as Gonzalez looked to be having trouble getting his
punches off, and when he did land his blows lacked their usual spark
of power.
The
third was a better round for Gonzalez as he showed some brief
glimpses of his former form, turning up the pace, and going toe-to-
toe with Rungvisai. Yet ‘Chocolatito’ seemed to be forcing
himself into the fire, and while his punches seemed to just be
bouncing off Rungvisai, and the champion's own blows looked much
heavier. The punches seemed to be having a much more telling affect,
as they visibly moved Gonzalez when they landed.
It
was revealed in the 4th
round how effective Rungvisai’s punches were, and it was revealed
in the 4th
round, when after the two continued as they had left off in the 3rd,
a right hook to the chin dropped ‘Chocolatito’ heavily. Although
he bravely beat the count, the writing was on the wall. Rungvisai
showed no mercy as he landed another vicious hook, to drop
‘Chocolatito’ once more, this time flat on his back, where he
made no attempt to beat the count.
The
sudden destruction of Gonzalez was met with a shocked silence from
the pro-Gonzalez crowd. It was painful to see Gonzalez beaten in such
a manner. He went out on his shield, just as all great champions tend
to do, yet, it is always disturbing to see a great fighter suddenly
become mortal, seemingly overnight.
 |
| Photo: Orange County Register |
While
Rungvisai seems on the verge of some exciting and hopefully lucrative
showdowns, the plain truth is that they will not carry the same
attraction now that they would have had Gonzalez regained his throne.
Gonzalez now needs to take a long look at where he goes from here,
and whether or not he should carry on fighting. The indications are
that the rise in weight, coupled by the loss of his trainer and
mentor, plus the rigours of a decade at the top, have all taken a
toll upon ‘Chocolatito.’ How much of this decline is reversible
only time will tell. At the age of 30, Gonzalez may be able to
recoup after a long rest and regain some of his old brilliance, and a
move back down to his more natural weight of flyweight could help him
achieve this.
However
after he has done so much already during his career, does Gonzalez
still have the fire and right mental attitude to retrace his steps at
112 pounds, and rebuild his career almost from scratch. More
importantly, does his body still have the reserves to allow him to
achieve such a return. If he never fights again, Gonzalez can be
proud of his achievements inside of the ring. His mixture of
technical brilliance and his all-action fighting style brought
attention to weight divisions that are usually disregarded by the
general boxing public. Perhaps, just as importantly as his
achievements inside the ring, Gonzalez has always carried himself
with grace and honour outside the ring. Much the same way as his
mentor, and idol, Alexis Arguello did during his illustrious boxing
career. ‘Chocolatito’ will not be defined by his two defeats to
Rungvisai, but rather everything that went before, when he proved
himself over the course of a decade to be one of boxing’s all time
greats.
The
undercard of Rungvisai vs Gonzalez 2, featured two outstanding
performances by Juan Francisco Estrada and Naoya ‘The Monster’
Inoue, who both won their respective contests, and announced
themselves to the wider boxing public at the same time.
Juan
Francisco Estrada (36-2, 25koes) has been one of boxing's best kept
secrets since 2012, when he went the distance with a then peak, Roman
Gonzalez, for Gonzalez’s World light-flyweight title, losing a
close decision after giving ‘Chocolatito’ the toughest fight of
his career up to that point. Estrada then moved up to flyweight, and
reigned impressively as WBA and WBO world flyweight champion, for
over two years almost unnoticed. Now however, after this triple
115-pounder bill, Estrada’s time might be coming, and at the age of
27, he looks to be at his peak and ready to take full advantage of
this new exposure.
Estrada
out-pointed another ex-foe of Gonzalez, Carlos Caudras (36-2-1,
27koes) in what was undoubtedly the fight of the night. Both men
were so well matched that the action ebbed and flowed throughout the
12 rounds. Yet, the ultimate difference was that Estrada was the more
accurate and solid puncher, even if at times he seemed to be
outworked by the faster hands of the shifty Cuadras.
 |
| Photo: Mickey Bonilla |
If
there was any doubt about the winner, Estrada underlined his general
edge over Cuadras with a knockdown in the 10th
round. It was to prove the decisive moment of the contest, as Estrada
emerged the points winner by scores of 113-114, three times. Estrada
was only awarded the fight after Cuadras was originally announced as
the winner, amid some rather chaotic, and surreal scenes. Cuadras, to
his credit, took the loss of what at first seemed to be a victory
with good grace and this match was close enough to merit a rematch
between the two in the future. Cuadras showed that he still has much
to offer the 115 division himself.
Estrada
is now the mandatory challenger for Rungvisai, and would enter that
contest with a clear edge. Although he has moved up in weight
himself, Estrada has the frame to carry the extra weight and unlike
Gonzalez, he seems to have taken his punch up with him. His mixture
of power and technical boxing ability should prove to be too much for
the powerful, but less skilled, Rungvisai, when they meet, but it
should be another exciting, all action contest and Rungvisai is
unlikely to give up his title easily.
While
Estrada was cementing a shot at the WBC title Naoya Inoue (14-0,
12koes) impressed with his first appearance in America, as he gave a
‘Monstrous’ display in retaining his WBO world super-flyweight
title, with a 6th
round stoppage of Antonio Nieves (17-2-2, 9koes).
At
only 24 years of age, and despite having just 14 professional
contests, Inoue has already nine world title fights to his credit,
and is a two weight world champion. Against Nieves, Inoue lived up
to his nickname of ‘Monster’ as he dominated the brave yet
outgunned challenger, with an impressive display of both power and
technique. Inoue is very heavy handed, and strong at the weight, but
he is also very technically adept as well. Nieves tried to fight
back in the early rounds, but by the 4th
he was just trying to survive. When his corner pulled him out after
the 6th
round it was a wise decision.
Inoue
is already a big star in Japan, and the signs are that he could
become much bigger yet worldwide. With future showdowns with
Rungvisai, Estrada or perhaps Cuadras, a possibility for the future,
the profile of one of boxing’s lightest divisions could yet
continue to rise in popularity.
All
in all, it was a great night for the boxing connoisseur, despite the
sadness of Gonzalez’s defeat, and showed that for all its flaws,
the sport still has some rich veins of gold to mine, if one knows
where to look.
Follow us on Twitter: @TheBoxingGlove and
Facebook: www.facebook.com/theboxingglove
If you are an author and you would like your book reviewed, contact Peter Silkov at petersilkov@yahoo.com or theboxingglove@yahoo.com
No comments:
Post a Comment