By Ian S Palmer
Pound for pound star Roman Gonzalez of Nicaragua will be hoping to win a world title in his fourth weight division this Saturday, September 10th when he takes on WBC Super Flyweight Champion Carlos Cuadras of Mexico at the Forum in Los Angeles, California. The bout can be seen live in the U.S. and Canada on HBO while fans in the UK can check it out on BoxNation. Gonzalez last fought in April and beat McWilliams Arroyo by a 12-round unanimous decision while Cuadras stopped Richie Mepranum in the eighth round in his last outing in April. Both Gonzalez and Cuadras enter the ring undefeated.
Gonzalez has already won titles at the minimumweight, light-flyweight and flyweight division and is moving up in weight once again to add another belt to his collection. The 29-year-old Gonzalez climbs through the ropes with a perfect record of 45-0 along with 39 Kos to his name. The 28-year-old Cuadras is close to perfect with a mark of 35-0-1 with 27 Kos. His lone draw was a four-round technical affair with Jose Salgado in 2014. This will be the seventh defence of the title for Cuadras after winning it with a in April of 2014. Gonzalez is well known for his speed, power and boxing skills and has gone the distance just twice since November of 2012.
He’s basically known as a knockout artist and had 10 straight Kos to his name until Arroyo stopped that streak, but he’s also a good technical boxer. His mobility allows him to control the ring and he likes to use his aggression to unleash quick, painful combinations. He’s got more than enough power to handle most opponents and has stopped 12 of his past 13 foes. Gonzalez is a power-punching boxer who likes to let his hands go in quick combinations whenever he sees an opening. He may not be the best defensive fighter in the world, but has a solid chin to absorb shots when he does get tagged. Gonzalez’s current knockout ratio is 84 per cent.
Gonzalez turned pro in 2005 and has 205 rounds under his belt since then. He won the WBC flyweight title when he stopped Akira Yaegashi in the ninth round in September of 2014. He defended it two months later by stopping Rocky Fuentes in six and then beat Valentin Leon by third round TKO in February of 2015. After that he stopped Edgar Sosa in two rounds in May of 2015 and then Viloria in October. Gonzalez stands 5-feet-3-inches tall and has a reach of 64 inches.
Cuadras has a sleight height and reach advantage as he’s 5-foot-4 and has a 66-inch wingspan. He turned pro back in 2008 and has 171 rounds under his belt since then. Cuadras is also a fine power puncher with a knockout ratio of 75 per cent. Cuadras should be motivated by the fact that Arroyo took Gonzalez the distance just a few months ago. Gonzalez will obviously be motivated though as he’s aiming to become Nicaragua’s first four-division world champion. .
Prediction……
This bout has the potential to be one of the best of the year and it’s likely to live up to its potential. Gonzalez is moving up in weight and can’t take Cuadras’ power and skills lightly. Cuadras should have his moments in the contest, but Gonzalez should take a decision or register a late stoppage if he can handle the Mexican’s power.
