Exclusive Interview With “El Chocolatito” Roman Gonzalez – “I Feel So much Stronger At 108 Pounds”

By James Slater: Nicaragua’s Roman Gonzalez looked utterly sensational this past Sunday in Tokyo, Japan, as he blasted Mexico’s Francisco Rojas to defeat inside two exciting rounds. The KO win was especially impressive considering how “El Chocolatito” had to go the full 12-rounds to beat Rojas in a previous, minimum-weight bout.

This time, the previously-unstopped Mexican was no match for Gonzalez, and the 23-year-old became a two-weight champion in winning the interim version of the WBA light-flyweight crown. Gonzalez, now 27-0(23) wants to win himself more titles, and he very much wants to prove he is the top dog at 108-pounds.

A modest person, who wants to keep his feet on the ground, Gonzalez says he will remain fully focused until all his goals are achieved.

Very kindly taking the time to answer some questions for an interview (via his manager/translator Silvio Conrado), Roman had the following things to say earlier this week:

James Slater: Congratulations on the sensational win over Francisco Rojas on Sunday. Do you feel that was your best performance, your best win yet?

Roman Gonzalez: No. I think my victories over Katsunari Takayama and Yutaka Niida are my best. I say this because both boxers were former world champions when I fought them.

J.S: The last time you fought Rojas, you won a very tough decision over 12-rounds. Why was it so much quicker and easier for you this time?

R.G: The last time, I was sick. I had stomach problems and I threw up various times. I also had diarrhea. I was totally dehydrated. This time, I was okay and I was in great shape. The result in the second fight was what was expected of me the first time we fought.

J.S: Do you feel you hit harder at 108-pounds, compared to at 105?

R.G: Yes I do. I feel so much stronger at 108 pounds compared to 105. It’s only three pounds difference, but losing those last three pounds was a huge sacrifice for me.

J.S: Who would you like to fight next?

R.G: Lots of guys. Giovanni Segura, Omar Nino Romero, Ivan Calderon. I would also like to fight Juan Carlos Reveco; he keeps running away from me! Also Ulises Solis would be a great challenge for me. Beating these fighters would help me create a legacy.

J.S: You are still only 23, yet are getting better and better. How much better still can you become?

R.G: There is always room for improvement. I can become much better. I just need to keep on training harder, and I have to pay attention to my coaches. My team wants me to succeed, and with God’s help I will succeed, but I need to follow orders and keep a level head. I cannot follow auto-destructive patterns of behaviour. In this respect, my wife has helped me a lot.

J.S: You are now a two-weight champion. Do you see yourself going even higher in weight one day?

R.G: I would like to consolidate myself at 108 pounds before I even think of moving up in weight. The only reason I would move up to 122 pounds would be to fight Koki Kameda in Japan.

J.S: You have fought a lot in Japan, how do you like it over there?

R.G: I love it. Japan is a great country. The people are great, they have a beautiful country. I have fought there five times and I’ve visited at least one other time besides that. The people seem to like the way I box there. They are respectful people and they are great fans. I feel like I’m at home when I box there.

J.S: Do you hope to become as big a star in the U.S one day?

R.G: Hopefully. When the time is right, I will get my chance to box in the USA, and when that time comes I will make the most of the opportunity.

J.S: How soon will it be when you fight again?

R.G: Possibly in three months time. My managers and promoters are on top of this.

J.S: Thanks so much for your time. Where do you see yourself in, say, two years time?

R.G: In two years, I shall have more than one belt at 108 pounds, and I’ll be looking to make a run at the 112 pound championship. But this will only occur if it’s in God’s plan for me to become a champion in three different divisions.