Avila Perspective, Chap. 214: ‘Chocolatito’ vs ‘El Gallo’ plus More

Avila Perspective, Chap. 214: ‘Chocolatito’ vs ‘El Gallo’ plus More

Few trilogies take 10 years to complete.

When Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez steps into the prize ring against Juan Francisco “Gallo” Estrada, the decade long orbit finally ends.

Nicaragua’s Gonzalez (51-3, 41 KOs) meets Mexico’s Estrada (43-3, 28 KOs) on Saturday Dec. 3, at the Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona. DAZN will stream the WBC super flyweight title fight, a Matchroom Boxing card.

It’s easy to remember their first encounter on a cold drizzly night in Los Angeles in November 2012. They met at the now extinct LA Memorial Sports Arena. It was replaced years ago by the Banc of California Stadium, home of the 2022 MLS champion LA Football Club.

Fans that night, 10 years ago, expected to see the mastery of Chocolatito with devastating results. Instead, Estrada surprised many with his highly skilled boxing approach and put up a stubborn resistance against the fighter many tabbed the top fighter pound-for-pound at the time.

“The first was a fight that was decided on points at 108 pounds. It was an incredible fight, a close, tough fight,” Gonzalez said about their first encounter.

Estrada shares the same sentiment.

“At that time, he was the champion, one of the best pound-for-pound fighters and he got the decision. I was a nobody. We put on a great fight, I felt that I won that fight by a few points, but he got it,” said Estrada who dropped down in weight to meet the great Nicaraguan.

Many fans walked away muttering that Estrada had been robbed. It was a very close fight and Gonzalez was at the height of his prowess. Or was he?

A few years later Chocolatito (pictured) would be defeated twice by Srisaket Sor Rungvisai. The boxing world thought that was the end of the Nicaraguan. Not quite.

When Chocolatito met Great Britain’s Khalid Yafai for the WBA super flyweight title during the beginning of the Covid pandemic in 2020, it was seen as a ploy to substantiate the Brit’s talent. Instead Chocolatito substantiated his own greatness and knocked out Yafai in nine rounds.

Estrada, 32, met Gonzalez a second time in March 2021, with the Mexican fighter taking an early lead. Chocolatito rallied in the second half and made the fight very close. Much like their first encounter nine years earlier it was closely fought and this time fans left muttering that Chocolatito was robbed.

“When we got to face Chocolatito again, it was at super-flyweight. Once again, we gave it everything. It was an extremely tough fight for both of us. Thankfully I was awarded the victory. It was a great fight and now we’re going for that trilogy,” said Estrada.

The battle is set. Who wins the trilogy?

Now 35, just how much of the extra-ordinary talent remains in the Nicaraguan fighter who continues to amaze with his ability to dominate competition with his strength, stamina, skill and willpower.

When Estrada was unable to meet Chocolatito last March, he was replaced by world champion Julio Cesar Martinez the WBC flyweight champ. It was no contest as Choco showed the Mexican assassin that he was still on top of his game and a level above mere world champions.

The third meeting continues the test of champions. Both are intelligent fighters who have proven over the years to be a cut above the rest. Resilient, smart and experienced at the elite level as the years have proven.

Ten years later, both remain elite.

“I know it will be a beautiful fight for the fans. We’ve shown that the lighter weights have qualities that fans like to see,” said Gonzalez.

The difference between the two flyweight legends is undetectable.

“We’re going to find out who is the best, who will be leading in fights won and if in the future, God willing, there is a fourth, bring it on,” said Estrada.

Saturday we will see.

Tyson Fury Trilogy?

This is the third time Tyson Fury and Derek Chisora meet. Usually, trilogies are made because each has a victory or there was dispute in any of the previous two wins. Not in this case. This is somewhat of a sparring match.

Fury (32-0-1, 23 KOs) defends the WBC world heavyweight title against Chisora (33-12, 23 KOs) on Saturday Dec. 3, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. ESPN+ will show the Queensberry Promotions boxing card at 10 a.m.

“He called me up and he said to me, ‘I want to fight you. I want to give you a big payday.’ And I said, ‘Yes. Let’s make it happen.’ For me to sit here and try to talk sh** and say so many bad things about a man who is actually giving me food on the table for my kids, I cannot,” said Chisora whose first loss was against Fury.

Fury needs work and a mega fight against the other world titlist Oleksandr Usyk or former champion Anthony Joshua. He wants the mega bucks that go with the mega fight.

“I take my career very seriously. I’m looking forward to it. I cannot wait to get out there, put on a show and entertain,” said Fury.

Friday Fights

In Plant City, Florida, American cruiserweight Brandon Glanton (17-0) meets New Zealand’s David Light (19-0) for a regional light heavyweight title in a 10-round fight on Friday Dec. 2. ProBoxTV.com will stream the fight card live.

Paul Malignaggi and Juan Manuel Marquez, co-founders of ProBoxTV.com, will be part of the announcing crew.

Also on Friday, lightweight contenders Chann Thonson (12-0) of Canada meets Brazil’s Aelio Mesquita (21-8-1) in a 10-round contest for a regional title at the Georgia International Convention Center in Atlanta. ESPN will show the Boswell Productions fight card that features fighters from six different countries.

Fights to Watch

Fr. ProBoxTV.com 4 p.m. Brandon Glanton (17-0) vs David Light (19-0).

Fri. ESPN KO 4 p.m. Chann Thonson (12-0) vs Aelio Mesquita (21-8-1).

Sat. ESPN+ 10 a.m. Tyson Fury (32-0-1) vs Derek Chisora (33-12).

Sat. DAZN 6 p.m. Roman Gonzalez (51-3) vs Juan Francisco Estrada (43-3).

Photo credit: Al Applerose

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