‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez defeats Cuadras to win fourth world title

LOS ANGELES, USA – Unbeaten Roman Gonzalez won the World Boxing Council junior bantamweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated champion Carlos Cuadras on Saturday, September 10 (Sunday Manila time).

The 29-year-old Gonzalez became the first fighter from Nicaragua to win world titles in 4 weight divisions, surpassing his hero and mentor Alexis Arguello.

Gonzalez improved to 46-0 by holding on in the late rounds for the win in an entertaining showdown between the two unbeaten champions at The Forum arena in Los Angeles.

“This was the most difficult fight I have had,” said Gonzalez. “It was complicated and we both were in very good condition.”

Mexico’s Cuadras proved to be a surprisingly difficult opponent for Gonzalez, who some consider to be the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

Cuadras looked to be the fresher of the two in the 12th round as the boxers traded punches in the center of the ring right up to the final bell.

Gonzalez, who moved up in weight class to fight for the title, won on all three judges’ cards by scores of 117-111, 116-112 and 115-113.

“I have never fought at this weight before. But the important thing is we won the fight,” he said.

The 28-year-old Cuadras had defended his title seven times before losing for the first time in his pro career. His record fell to 35-1-1.

Gonzalez can credit his victory to a superb start as he dominated the first half of the fight with a relentless forward attack accompanied by a variety of punches.

But Cuadras proved to be a very difficult opponent, giving Gonzalez the most formidable test of his 11-year career.

He landed straight jabs, combinations and took the heaviest punches that Gonzalez could dish out in the 12-round slugfest.

Gonzalez’s face showed the marks of the battle, especially around his swollen eyes. He said Cuadras hurt him with some head shots.

“I caught some blows to the cheeks and I felt those,” he said. “I am always thinking about my family, my children.”

Until Saturday, no Nicaraguan had ever won a world title in four weight classes and that includes the late legend Arguello.

Arguello took Gonzalez under his wing and mentored him after his boxing career ended. He trained him as both an amateur and pro prior to his death in 2009.

“I will never be better or above him. He will always be number one. I am just following his legacy,” said Gonzalez.

Arguello lost a pair of junior welterweight title fights to Aaron Pryor in 1982 and 1983 in a failed bid to capture his fourth world title.

But seeing how he struggled somewhat Saturday in the heavier super flyweight division might leave some in his camp wondering if another jump in weight might prove to be too much for Gonzalez. – Rappler.com