TWO BEST FLYS LIKELY AT YEARS END
Roman “El Chocolatito” Gonzalez
Los Angeles, CA– Undefeated WBC world flyweight champion Roman Gonzalez (41-0, 35 KOs) has flown under the radar of many boxing scribes. The Nicaragua native has won belts at fly (112 lbs), light flyweight (108), and minimumweight (105). You will find him on mythical pound-for-pound lists, but not on major networks in the United States. The reason for this is partly nationality, but partly a general lack of interest in the lighter weight classes. One opponent that should generate interest is rising Japanese superstar Naoya Inoue (8-0, 7 KOs).
INOUE ACCOMPLISHED A LOT IN BLINK OF EYE
In only his 4th pro fight, Inoue captured the Japanese light flyweight title. After his 8th ring appearance, Inoue held both the WBC world light flyweight title and the WBO world super flyweight (115) title. Inoue captured his title at 115 by demolishing the sturdy Omar Narvaez (43-2-2, 23 KOs) of Argentina, whose only loss going in was a lopsided decision to the then highly-regarded Nonito Donaire (33-3, 21 KOs) back in 2011 at bantamweight (118). Narvaez, a long-reigning fly and super flyweight champion, was vastly undersized versus Donaire at 118 and quickly returned to his natural weight class. He strung together eight consecutive victories before being blown out by Inoue. It was the biggest win of Inoue’s young career, and increased demand for a showdown with Gonzalez.
GONZALEZ HYPOTHETICAL FAVORITE
Gonzalez has much more experience than his Japanese counterpart, and has fought better opposition throughout his career. Inoue has show a great hunger thus far, and won a legitimate title in almost record time. At only 21, Inoue looks like a guy who will be around for a long time. Gonzalez at 27 is not much older, and has already established himself as one of the best fighters in the world.
UNAPPRECIATED RIGONDEAUX A HIT IN JAPAN!
Noaya “Monster” Inoue
Promoters may try to put this fight on the back burner for now to allow it to build more steam, but the rumor is that it will happen in Japan on December 31, 2015. New Years Eve fight cards have become a tradition in Japan, and the television broadcasts of these fights draw huge ratings. Super bantamweight (122) king Guillermo “El Chacal” Rigondeaux (15-0, 10 KOs), who is not known as a big draw was able to garner over 11 million viewers for his wild 11th round TKO of Hisashi Amagasa (28-5-2, 19 KOs) just over a month ago in the island nation. A fight between Gonzalez and Inoue would likely be even bigger considering Inoue’s status as a multi-weight champion.
PREMIER FIGHT FOR 112 AND BELOW
Japan has shown an appreciate for flyweights, but the world should take notice. The flyweight division is loaded with talent, and Gonzalez-Inoue is one of the true super-fights to make in this sport. If you want to see real talent, check out the Transnational Boxing Ratings #3 pound-for-pound (http://www.tbrb.org/p4p/) Roman Gonzalez in action some time. When Gonzalez takes on Naoya Inoue, the world will witness a truly special fight that only comes by a few times each era. Do yourself a favor and stay tuned as this could be better (and make more money) than the epic 108 lb. unification match of 1993 between Michael Carbajal and Humberto Gonzalez which bestowed million dollar purses on both men.
Zack “Attack” Young
Co-host Sports Overnight America Weekend Edition
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GONZALEZ-INOUE BEST FIGHT