Over the previous decade, now we have seen Roman Gonzalez rise from strawweight to change into top-of-the-line fighters of his technology. Nevertheless, he couldn’t have accomplished that with out an knowledgeable supporting forged.
Gonzalez has moved by way of the weights and dared to be nice. Alongside the way in which, he has raised his sport and that of his contemporaries.
Whereas Sugar Ray Leonard had Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns and Marvin Hagler (the “4 Kings”), Gonzalez has had Juan Francisco Estrada, Carlos Cuadras and Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, who’ve additionally squared off with one another in memorable round-robin contests.
Throughout this time, no one has gone unscathed. All suffered loses. However we cherish the performances and reminiscences they’ve given us throughout their 10 fights — quickly to be 11.
On Saturday, Gonzalez and Estrada resume hostilities in what might be their third encounter on the Gila River Area in Glendale, Arizona, on DAZN at 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT.
Right here’s a glance by way of the ten fights which have taken place to date:
Roman Gonzalez vs. Juan Francisco Estrada
November 17, 2012, Sports activities Area, Los Angeles. Title: WBA junior flyweight
All of it started 10 years in the past when an unknown Estrada put up a better-than-expected effort towards Gonzalez. Though Gonzalez clearly received, Estrada had his moments throughout their heated 12-round contest and confirmed greater than sufficient to counsel he would shine once more. Which he was in a position to just do 5 months later, when he edged previous Brian Viloria to assert the WBA and WBO flyweight titles.
End result: Gonzalez UD 12
Carlos Cuadras vs. Srisaket Sor Rungvisai
Could 31, 2014, Sala de Armas Agustín Melgar, Mexico Metropolis, Mexico. Title: WBC junior bantamweight
Cuadras (rated because the No. 2 junior bantamweight) boxed nicely early on to get in entrance earlier than Sor Rungvisai (No. 3) mounted his assault. Cuadras was reduce over the left eye from a conflict of heads within the eighth spherical. The ringside doctor determined the challenger was unable to proceed, and the struggle went to the scorecards. Cuadras was forward on the time of the stoppage and was awarded the technical resolution and have become the WBC titleholder. The stoppage got here simply because it regarded like Sor Rungvisai was discovering his approach into the struggle and about to make issues very attention-grabbing. Watch the video on YouTube (Spanish commentary).
End result: Cuadras TD 8
Carlos Cuadras vs. Roman Gonzalez
September 10, 2016, Discussion board, Inglewood, California. Title: WBC junior bantamweight
Gonzalez had already conquered the 105-, 108- and 112-pound divisions, and on this evening he dared to be nice by stepping up in weight to face then-unbeaten Cuadras (35-0-1). Though the naturally larger defending champion offered loads of issues, reducing the Nicaraguan standout twice, Gonzalez was in a position to maintain off the sport Mexican and win the close-run battle to change into a four-weight champion by unanimous resolution.
End result: Gonzalez UD 12
Roman Gonzalez vs. Srisaket Sor Rungvisai
March 18, 2017, Madison Sq. Backyard, New York. Title: WBC junior bantamweight
Thai fighters are recognized to be practically invulnerable at dwelling however habitually battle on the highway. Nevertheless, Sor Rungvisai had proven towards Cuadras practically three years earlier that he had the power and psychological fortitude to interrupt freed from these chains. Sor Rungvisai made an early assertion of intent and confirmed that his excessive knockout ratio wasn’t simply constructed on tender opposition when he dropped the then-pound-for-pound king within the opening spherical. Thereafter, each males went punch-for-punch all through an absorbing battle. On the conclusion it regarded shut, with stats favoring Gonzalez, however Sor Rungvisai was awarded the upset by majority resolution.
End result: Sor Rungvisai MD 12
Srisaket Sor Rungvisai vs. Roman Gonzalez 2
September 9, 2017, StubHub Middle, Carson, California. Title: WBC junior bantamweight
Six months after their extremely aggressive first struggle, Sor Rungvisai crushed all doubts with probably the most conclusive win in all the sequence between these 4 males, leaving Gonzalez flat on his again trying up on the lights after connecting with a large proper hook. It was a shocking win that despatched shockwaves all through the division.
End result: Sor Rungvisai KO 4
Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Carlos Cuadras
September 9, 2017, StubHub Middle, Carson, California. Non-title bout
These two met on the undercard of Sor Rungvisai-Gonzalez 2, with the winner hoping to safe a shot on the principal occasion winner. Each males threw down in a really shut struggle. The deciding issue got here within the tenth spherical when Estrada dropped Cuadras, which allowed “El Gallo” to edge issues by a solitary level (114-113) on all three scorecards.
End result: Estrada UD 12
Srisaket Sor Rungvisai vs. Juan Francisco Estrada
February 24, 2018, Discussion board, Inglewood, California. Titles: vacant Ring and WBC junior bantamweight
In an intriguing type matchup, the aggressive, power-punching Thai fighter met the extra refined and skillful counterpuncher. It was significantly shut, however in the long run the judges most popular the extra aggressive Sor Rungvisai’s work and he received by the narrowest of margins.
End result: Sor Rungvisai MD 12
Srisaket Sor Rungvisai vs. Juan Francisco Estrada 2
April 26, 2019, Discussion board, Inglewood, California. Titles: Ring/WBC junior bantamweight
Estrada made changes from their first assembly and neatly executed his sport plan, successful 5 of the primary six rounds to place him in a commanding place. Whereas Sor Rungvisai peculiarly elected to field out of an unnatural orthodox stance for 9 rounds, he switched again to his regular southpaw stance and closed strongly. The gradual begin was pricey, and the late rally proved futile. Estrada gained revenge and claimed the titles.
End result: Estrada UD 12
Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Carlos Cuadras 2
October 23, 2020, Gimnasio TV Azteca, Mexico Metropolis. Titles: Ring/WBC junior bantamweight
When two Mexicans meet in a grudge match, you already know what to anticipate, and we obtained it in spades. Cuadras was quicker out of the gate, scoring a third-round knockdown. Nevertheless, Estrada confirmed his championship mettle and bit down on his gumshield. Slowly however absolutely, he started to show issues round and was lastly in a position to drop his countryman twice within the eleventh spherical to power the stoppage in an exciting encounter.
End result: Estrada TKO 11
Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Roman Gonzalez 2
March 13, 2021, American Airways Middle, Dallas, Texas. Titles: Ring/WBA/WBC junior bantamweight
Almost 9 years after their first struggle, these two met in a 115-pound unification that lived as much as its lofty billing after which some. It was a modern-day traditional, with the pair throwing a mixed 2,529 punches, Estrada touchdown 314 of 1,212 (26 %) whereas Gonzalez landed 391 of 1,317 punches thrown (30 %). There wasn’t a single clinch in all the encounter. On the finish of 12 rounds, each males had a scorecard of 115-113 of their favor. Nevertheless, the third choose scored it for Estrada — an off-base 117-111 — to assist the Mexican degree the sequence.
End result: Estrada SD 12
Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Roman Gonzalez 3
December 3, 2022, Gila Area, Glendale, Arizona. Titles: Ring and vacant WBC junior bantamweight
End result: ?
Spherical-robin data: Estrada 4-2, Gonzalez 2-3, Sor Rungvisai 3-2 and Cuadras 1-3
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