Over the previous decade, now we have seen Roman Gonzalez rise from strawweight to turn into among the finest fighters of his technology. Nonetheless, he couldn’t have finished that with out an skilled supporting forged.
Gonzalez has moved by means of the weights and dared to be nice. Alongside the best way, he has raised his recreation 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 recollections they’ve given us throughout their 10 fights — quickly to be 11.
On Saturday, Gonzalez and Estrada resume hostilities in what will probably be their third encounter on the Gila River Enviornment in Glendale, Arizona, on DAZN at 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT.
Right here’s a glance by means of the ten fights which have taken place to date:
Roman Gonzalez vs. Juan Francisco Estrada
November 17, 2012, Sports activities Enviornment, 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 say the WBA and WBO flyweight titles.
End result: Gonzalez UD 12
Carlos Cuadras vs. Srisaket Sor Rungvisai
Might 31, 2014, Sala de Armas Agustín Melgar, Mexico Metropolis, Mexico. Title: WBC junior bantamweight
Cuadras (rated because the No. 2 junior bantamweight) boxed effectively 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 battle went to the scorecards. Cuadras was forward on the time of the stoppage and was awarded the technical determination and have become the WBC titleholder. The stoppage got here simply because it regarded like Sor Rungvisai was discovering his method into the battle 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 introduced 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 turn into a four-weight champion by unanimous determination.
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 identified to be practically invulnerable at dwelling however habitually battle on the highway. Nonetheless, Sor Rungvisai had proven towards Cuadras practically three years earlier that he had the flexibility 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 smooth 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 determination.
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 battle, Sor Rungvisai crushed all doubts with essentially the most conclusive win in your complete collection between these 4 males, leaving Gonzalez flat on his again wanting up on the lights after connecting with a large proper hook. It was a surprising 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 primary occasion winner. Each males threw down in a really shut battle. 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 model matchup, the aggressive, power-punching Thai fighter met the extra refined and skillful counterpuncher. It was notably shut, however ultimately the judges most well-liked 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 recreation 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 expensive, 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 sooner out of the gate, scoring a third-round knockdown. Nonetheless, 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 drive the stoppage in an exhilarating 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
Practically 9 years after their first battle, these two met in a 115-pound unification that lived as much as its lofty billing after which some. It was a modern-day basic, with the pair throwing a mixed 2,529 punches, Estrada touchdown 314 of 1,212 (26 p.c) whereas Gonzalez landed 391 of 1,317 punches thrown (30 p.c). There wasn’t a single clinch in your complete encounter. On the finish of 12 rounds, each males had a scorecard of 115-113 of their favor. Nonetheless, the third decide scored it for Estrada — an off-base 117-111 — to assist the Mexican degree the collection.
End result: Estrada SD 12
Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Roman Gonzalez 3
December 3, 2022, Gila Enviornment, 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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