By: Sean Crose
It was extensively agreed that, at 37 years of age, Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez was previous his prime when he stepped into the ring in his native Nicaragua on Friday night time. The 4 division champion was looking for additional glory, this time within the bantamweight division, as he hoped earn himself a shot at a surprising fifth world title. First, nevertheless, the 51-4 Gonzalez must get previous the 27-5 Rober Barrera in a scheduled 10 rounder at Managua’s Polideportivo Alexis Arguello.
Gonzalez pressed the motion instantly within the first, however it was made instantly clear that Barrera had come to combat, as he fired and landed with each arms. Barrera didn’t look like as sturdy as Gonzalez was, nevertheless. By the second, it regarded just like the combat wouldn’t go the space, as Gonzalez, transferring ahead in his traditional type, landed and landed onerous. Certainly, he started piling the punches on Barrera because the spherical went on.
Gonzalez landed onerous within the first minute of the third. His relentless assault was turning out to be an excessive amount of for the gutsy Barrera, who continued to provide it his all by firing away at his legendary foe. Because the spherical wore on, the query appeared to be whether or not or not Gonzalez’ stoppage energy would carry as much as bantamweight, as he was making his divisional debut, up from tremendous flyweight.
Issues slowed down a bit within the fourth, although Gonzalez continued to stalk his man. The motion needed to cease early within the fifth for Gonzalez to get extra tape on his gloves. Barrera grew to become aggressive afterward, and Gonzalez answered in variety. Barrera went down from a slip, however the truth that it was a slip didn’t take away from the reality – Gonzalez was beating him up.
Certainly, Gonzalez turned up the warmth within the sixth. Barrera was throwing, however not successfully. To his credit score, nevertheless, Barrera stored preventing – although he was repeatedly receiving head pictures. Certain sufficient, it regarded like Gonzalez might need been on the verge of stopping Barrera within the seventh. As soon as once more, nevertheless, Barrera was in a position to survive the spherical. He might need been shedding in a single sided style, however nobody may argue in opposition to the person’s grind and braveness.
Within the eighth, Barrera lastly went down. He beat the rely, and survived the spherical, however it was price questioning why the combat was being allowed to proceed. A sequence of punches put Barrera down for the second time within the first minute of the ninth. He received to his ft as soon as extra, however it was time for the combat to be stopped. And certainly the combat was put to an finish by the referee earlier than the ultimate bell within the tenth.
Though it was too early to inform how Gonzalez would fare at bantamweight, it was clear the long-lasting fighter nonetheless had sufficient in him to impress.
