DECORATED champion Roman Gonzalez almost retired from boxing. In 2017 he suffered back to back defeats to Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, the first separated him from his WBC super-flyweight title, the latter separated him from his senses in the fourth round.
He was close to calling it a day. “Very close. I really wanted to retire because I wanted to spend time with my children, which I had not been able to, due to so much determination within my career and the training and whatnot. But at the same time, I spoke to my family, and my family encouraged me, as well as myself, to be able to fight in the ring and I feel it wasn’t my time. It wasn’t my time, and now I’m ready to fight once again September 15,” he said. “It was definitely a very difficult year from the loss that I suffered to Srisaket Sor Rungvisai.
“I wanted to fight. I believe I’ve received a lot of blessings for world titles, being ranked for a time as the number one pound-for-pound, and I believe that is enough, but I was just happy to have the opportunity again.”
On the undercard of Canelo Alvarez versus Gennady Golovkin at the T Mobile arena in Las Vegas “Chocolatito” will fight Moises Fuentes. “Nothing is written in boxing. I feel that I can beat Roman. It will definitely be something out of a dream, but I’m ready to fight and I hope I can beat him that Saturday,” Fuentes said.
Gonzalez is determined to win this and press on to recapture a world title. “I feel I’ve rejuvenated a lot. It’s really helped me be able to come back,” he said. “I believe the wisdom to be able to overcome this situation – I believe that I’m back in the ring and I’m coming in great condition and I definitely want to win the fight, like every other boxer, and I believe that I am starting to set up my comeback.
“I still would like to obtain a fifth world title.”
