If you flash back to 2011, there was a fighter that was making noise overseas and his name was Gennady Golovkin. Golovkin got his shot in 2012 to come to the United States to showcase his talents on HBO. It’s been his show ever since. Knockout by Knockout Triple G has become the face of the HBO franchise. Though he hasn’t gotten his marquee opponent, he knocks out who they put in front of him and continues the train ride. Fitting that a fighter with the similar legend and aura but the better resume will make his HBO debut on Golovkin’s undercard May 16th.
Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez is considered by many to be the best flyweight in the world and considered by many to be a top 5 pound for pound fighter. This writer has him as the second best fighter in the world behind Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Because of his weight, the hysteria for a fighter of his caliber might not reach Golovkin’s level but with all the changes in boxing, he could lead back the flight of smaller weight fighters on the big stage of HBO.
“This is a great opportunity,” Gonzalez told ThaBoxingVoice.com. “The only thing is left to show what I have, all my qualities of a fighter that I’ve shown in all my fights. I have to show the world. If I win this fight on HBO, then we would sign a deal, hopefully, sign a deal for four fights. I don’t have a four-fight deal with HBO. It’s something that could happen in the future.”
That could certainly lead to more high profile fights if Gonzalez makes his mark on HBO. A rematch showdown with Juan Francisco Estrada or even a move up in weight against the young Japenese “Monster” Naoya Inoue. For Gonzalez, he says its motivation.
“It motivates me, millions of people will be watching, it’s a blessing to show my talents to the world,” stated Gonzalez. “Like I do with all my fights, I will prepare in the gym if the fight comes by knockout, even better. I think I can if I prepare properly. I know all my fights have been in Japan but now I’m blessed to have a fight in the United States. I will make the best of it.”
