Super Flyweight Boxing Delight – This latest edition of the TalknShoot Boxing Podcast focuses on the 115 pound super flyweight weight class and the fights set for Saturday, September 9th on HBO.
The live event is set for the StubHub Center in Carson, California and features three top-notch fights in the 115 pound division, topped by the rematch for the WBC world title between Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez and Wisaksil Wangek.
You can credit Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez with putting Super Flyweight Boxing on the map in recent years. In September of 2015 Floyd Mayweather Jr retired after his fight with Andre Berto, vacating the mystical #1 pound for pound spot. A short list of suitors for the #1 spot emerged and Gonzalez was on the short list. Then undefeated at 42-0, the flyweight world champion had been performing at a high level in Japan and in Central America and his technical prowess was winning over fans.
Gonzalez made his next stage the United States, where he signed on with HBO. For the first time in recent memory, the little guys were getting attention. He was paired with middleweight top-gun Gennady Golovkin and the two appeared together on numerous HBO offerings.
On that elevated stage Gonzalez shined. He flashed his persistent combination punching in droves as he defended his titlle at Flyweight. Then came the move up to super flyweight and the win over Carlos Cuadras that gave him a world title in a third weight class.
Heading into March’s fight with Wisaksil Wangek, Gonzalez was a major favorite and he was looking to line-up fights for a lot bigger money. The outcome in March was unexpected as Wangek fought a hard-nosed, ugly fight and edged Gonzalez via majority decision to take the WBC title at 115 pounds. The fight left Gonzalez at 46-1, putting the first blemish on his record.
Though he is still highly regarded, he is no longer the top pound for pound fighter out there. Gonzalez gets his rematch to try and win his belt back. The first fight with Wangek, who fights using his nickname “Sor Rungvisai” showed Gonzalez may have reached his top weight at super flyweight. Even in the Cuadras fight, Gonzalez relied on his rock hard chin to get him through, and both fights saw his face show signs of wear. Against Wangek, he was able to land good shots but he seemed to lack the starch on his punches he had in the past.
For the rematch, Gonzalez is still a favorite, but the line is much tighter. Wangek will still be bigger and stronger, and that is what won him te day their first time out.
Another name that jumps out at fans of the smaller weight classes is WBO world super flyweight champion Naoya Inoue, who is making his debut outside of his native Japan. Inoue is in a showcase fight against relatively unsung Antonio Nieves.
Inoue is 24 years old and he has had the “phenom” label attached to his name for a long time as he left a decorated amateur career to turn pro. At 13-0 he has already won world titles in two weight classes and his fighting abroad ismajor news back in Japan.
More on Saturday, September 9th’s HBO fights can be heard right here on TalknShoot Podcast #51. Check it out.
Super Flyweight Boxing Delight – TnS Podcast #51 / Check out more boxing news and features at The Sweet Science, where the best boxing writers write.
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