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July 14th 2009-World Memorial Hall, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan Katsunari Takayama (23-3, 9) Vs Roman Gonzalez (23-0, 20) In 2009 former WBC Minimumweight champion Katsunari Takayama [高山 勝成] challenged WBA champion Roman Gonzalez, who was looking to make his second defense and his first in Japan where he won the title just 10 months earlier.
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December 23rd 2019-Arena, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan Roman Gonzalez (47-2, 39) Vs Diomel Diocos (14-5-3, 4) Earlier today Nicaraguan legend Roman Gonzalez returned to a Japanese ring for the first time in over 5 years as he took on Filipino foe Diomel Diocos September 9th 2017-StubHub Center, Carson, California, USA Srisaket Sor Rungvsai (43-4-1, 39) Vs Roman Gonzalez (46-1, 38) II Earlier this year Srisaket Sor Rungvisai [ศรีสะเกษ นครหลวงโปรโมชั่น] became a 2-time WBC Super Flyweight champion, defeating Roman Gonzalez with a thrilling and very close decision contest. A few months later the two men had a rematch, with the popular view being that we were again in for a treat. October 24th 2010-Kokugikan, Tokyo, Japan Roman Gonzalez (26-0, 22) vs Francisco Rosas (21-7,12) II In 2009 Roman Gonzalez was given his closest fight, as he went the 12 round distance to take a majority decision in Mexico against Francisco Rosas. The following year the two men had a rematch, this time in Japan, and Gonzalez made sure to prove who the better fighter was. When we talk about the best fighter in the world it's hard to avoid the name of Roman Gonzalez who continually proves to be one of the most impressive offense fighters. He showed his power, aggression, pressure and destructiveness again recently as he defeated Filipino tough guy Rocky Fuentes in a bout that should have been tough but was made to like very easy by the Nicaraguan. Whilst the performance and result were both very impressive it needs to to be noted that this contest came just weeks after Gonzalez's win over Akira Yaegashi in September. After the fight fight Gonzalez said he was willign to fight with either Kazuto Ioka or Naoya Inoue two other fights that would be genuinely great and both of which would likely see Gonzalez returning to Japan where he is clearly very popular. The best weight in boxing right now is the Flyweight division. It has the depth, talent and match ups that make it the best in the sport by some margin, despite it's relative lack of internationally recognised names. It's one of the few divisions where the best fight the best and where no one is scared of losing, unlike some better known fighters. One of the best bouts in the division this year saw Akira Yaegashi battle against unbeaten Nicaraguan sensation Roman Gonzalez in a bout for the WBC world title. We won't ruin the result but we will say that this is one of those truly fantastic bouts where we get two of the best fighters in the division trading shots, showing their bravery, toughness and world class skills to create a great contest. Whether you're as much of a Flyweight fan as us or not, this bout really is one of the stand out bouts of the year and deserves all the plaudits it gets. Likewise both men who were involved in it deserve to commended for not fighting against lesser foes than each other. Both are true credits to professional boxing. (Video courtesy of Maxwell Mendoza) When we hear conversation about the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet we tend to think of Floyd Mayweather Jr, Andre Ward and Guillermo Rigondeaux. The "problem" with those men is that they are all a bit, well boring in the ring. It's funny however that another contender for the best pound-for-pound figher is one of the most exciting fighters on the planet, and a fighter who has been plying his trade regularly in Japan. That man is Nicaraguan sensation Roman Gonzalez who has destroyed and dismantled fighters at 105lbs and 108lbs with ease on his way up through the rankings. Gonzalez's first world title win came in Japan as he dethroned WBA Minimumweight champion Yutaka Niida with a brilliant display of intelligent pressure fighting that bust up Niida and forced the referee to stop the Japanese fighter with a badly swollen eye. Sadly for Niide he retired soon afterwards. For the then 21 year old Gonzalez this was the perfect way to announce himself on the world stage, where he has remained ever since. Gonzalez would defend this belt 3 times, including a dominant victory over Katsunari Takayama, before moving up a weight. He is next expected to be in action on September 6th against another top Japanese fighter, Akira Yaegahsi in what is one of 2014's most highly anticipated fights of the year. (Video courtesy of Boxeo Prodesa) When we talk about the best pound-for-pound fighters on the planet many boxing fans over-look Nicaragua destroyer Roman Gonzalez. Whatever their reason for over-looking him it's fair to say that Gonzalez belongs in the pound-for-pound conversation and if Floyd Mayweather and Guillermo Rigondeaux are the best defensive fights then Gonzalez is the best offensive fighter. Gonzalez started his career with a very impressive 16 straight stoppages before fighting Japan's teak tough Hiroshi Matsumoto on January 14th 2008. Whilst this was Gonzalez's 17th professional fight it was the 29th fight for Matsumoto, a former 2-time Japanese national title contender, who was 30 years old at the time and considered a man to the baby faced Gonzalez. Although there was notable differences in age and experience it was Gonzalez who really controlled the bout as he landed repeated uppercuts, shows off his speed, combinations, strength and power to take a clear win over the Japanese fighter It was Gonzalez's 17th win but it was the first time a fighter had managed to see the final bell against him. It was a brave performance from Matsumoto, especially late as he tried to fight back with a tiring Gonzalez, but he was unable to hurt the Nicaraguan. Despite losing Matsumoto will never forget the time he took Gonzalez the distance, something very few fighters can say, in fact at the time of writing only 5 men can saw they've heard the final against Gonzalez and Matsumoto was the first. Sadly for Matsumoto he was stopped in 2 of his subsequent 4 bouts before retiring less than 2 years after this bout. (Video courtesy of Boxeoprodesa) Back in 2009 few would have suggest that Roman Gonzalez was one of the best fighters on the planet, in all honesty few really knew much about him. He had, admittedly, destroyed Yutaka Niida in 2008 but that was about it for his notable wins at the time. Of course now we all know what "Chocolatito" is capable of and he has become arguably the most impressive fighter on the planet with all the tools a fighter could want. He's dedicated, hard working, skilled, tough, speedy, a natural combination puncher, powerful and just a sensational fighter. Whilst many will consider the victory over Niida as Gonzalez's break out victory a good case could be made for what he did some 10 months later when he returned to Japan and battered the fantastic Katsunari Takayama, who actually retired for over a year following the bout. This fight, which was fought on July 14th 2009, was really amazing and showed off not only all the great facets to Gonzalez's game, his aggression, work rate, skills and power but all a lot of what we love about Takayama. Despite taking a hammering the Japanese fighter refused to be stopped even though he looked out on his feet numerous times. At the end of the day there was only 1 winner, Gonzalez by a wide margin, but both men impressed us and have continued to do so in careers that have really given us more excitement than we'd typically expect of such small fighters. Amazingly at just 27 Gonzalez still has so much to give whilst Takayama himself he risen to top of the Minimumweight division and will be looking to unify the IBF and WBO world titles later this year. It's fair to say both men have had amazing careers and have been in their share of amazing fights. (Video courtesy of Boxeoprodesa and is in Japanese, there is another version of the same fight that we hope to have up in the future, which we believe is in Spanish.) |
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