Roman 'Chocolatito' Gonzalez Takes Another Major Topic, Dismisses Talks With Nonito Donaire
Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez stares down a downed Rober Barrera in the July 12 bout in Managua, Nicaragua.
Roman 'Chocolatito' Gonzalez has dismissed claims of plans to fight Nonito Donaire.
The rumored clash of all legends made the media rounds over the weekend, but the Nicaraguan legend was quickly dispelled. The suggested pairings of former four-division champions are not played out, and are of no interest to a fighter seeking at least one major title.
“[W]I want to inform our fans that we have absolutely no interest in fighting @filipinoflash, and we are not negotiating with his team,” Gonzalez told X. “He doesn't have one. [t]itle or ANY interest[s] so do we, so we wish him luck [r]fatigue. The king bless you.”
On behalf of Team Chocolatito we want to inform our Fans that we are NOT in your interest to fight @filipinoflash and we do not discuss with his group. He doesn't have a Title OR ANYTHING of interest, so we wish him the best of luck in Retirement. the king bless you
— Roman Gonzalez (@chocolatitobox) August 12, 2024
It is clear that each side is confused about the other's plans.
Gonzalez (52-4, 42 knockouts) made the announcement Monday in response to a BoxingScene story that said such a fight was in the works. In fairness, Donaire (42-8, 28 KOs) revealed his doubts about the fight ever seeing the light of day.
“I don't know if it's going to happen, but we're talking,” Donaire told BoxingScene over the weekend.
That's not the case.
That said, Donaire is not officially retired yet. The 41-year-old Fil-Am star is on the cusp of an impressive career but is looking for at least one big fight. It's understandable why he targeted Gonzalez. Sunny Edwards (21-1, 4 KOs) who once fought in the IBF flyweight has also attracted attention. That match he desired was born mostly on social media between his wife, Rachel and the diminutive Brit.
Meanwhile, Gonzalez's goal is to fight for a major title in his next fight, either at 115 or 118.
The former pound-for-pound king enjoyed a triumphant return when he defeated Rober Barrera on July 12. The bout was the first since 2015 to take place in his hometown of Managua, Nicaragua.
It also ended a 19-month suspension. Gonzalez dropped a majority decision loss to Juan Francisco Estrada (44-4, 28 KOs) in their memorable Dec. 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. Estrada defended his RING 115-pound championship and regained his WBC bantamweight belt. The Mexican icon previously defeated Gonzalez by a controversial split decision in their March 2021 RING/WBC/WBA unification fight in Dallas, Texas.
Gonzalez's return was the bantamweight fight that was advertised. However, his weight was light enough (116.8 pounds) that it was believed that a return to junior bantamweight might be in play.
The truth is that both answers are correct. Gonzalez is eager to fight for another major title, which his team firmly believes will make it to his next ring.
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