Nicaraguan boxing idol Roman “Chocolatito” González was back in the ring this Saturday, September 9, in a rematch against Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, the Thai fighter he lost his WBC title to back in March this year in a controversial Majority Decision. Unfortunately for “Chocolatito” the result this time was far from controversial, as Rungvisai gave the former champion the second loss of his career, the first by KO.

The fight that took place at the StubHub Center in Carson, California had the attendance of almost 7,500 people, and only lasted four rounds, but from beginning to end it was action packed, with both fighters engaging in a brutal battle.

Rungvisai worked the Nicaraguans body at every chance he had, Chocolatito probably failed in this fight plan, he was clearly outworked in the first round, Rungvisai was faster, stronger and bigger, Gonzalez had trouble managing the distance, rounds two and three were very close with both fighters exchanging in the middle of the ring.

As the fourth round came along, the Thai champion, a southpaw, knocked down Gonzalez with a huge right hand, the Nicaraguan got back up, but Rungvisai didn’t miss the opportunity to finish him off and with one-punch he sent him to the canvas once again, where Chocolatito laid for a couple of minutes while receiving medical attention.
Gonzalez who seemed responsive and OK after the fight, was taken to the hospital as a precaution.

Chocolatito who had set up his training camps in Costa Rica the last few years, this time around took his camp to Japan where his promoter is. Reportedly, his purse for this fight was of $600,000.00.

This is a hard loss for the Central American former champion. Chocolatito was fighting his third fight in 115 pound division. Certainly going up on weight was not good for Gonzalez (his three performances in this weigh category were far from convincing), who also lost his head trainer Arnulfo Obando back in November 2016.

At 30-years of age, Chocolatito still has more to show, but we’ll have to wait to hear what his next career move is. Gonzalez was considered one of the best pound for pound fighters in the world for the past couple of years and made history in Nicaragua’s boxing by becoming world champion in four weight divisions, surpassing his mentor, Alexis Arguello. Gonzalez also managed to bring the lower weight division fighters to big televised events.

On other boxing news, Costa Rican boxer Carolina Arias, lost her fight against Estrella Valverde in Mexico, were she was going after the vacant WBC International Female Super Flyweight Title. Arias lost by decision, this it is the second loss in her professional career.