Charles Brun: Eddie Hearn is confident that the super flyweight unification rematch between Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez and Juan Francisco Estrada will be taking place in October.
The winner of that fight will take on former WBC super flyweight champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, as long as he defeats Amnat Ruenroeng on August 1 in Thailand. That fight will be shown on DAZN and Sky, according to Hearn.
‘Chocolatito’ (49-2, 41 KOs) reportedly wants $1 million+ for him to face Estrada (40-3, 27 KOs) in a rematch of their 2012 war in Los Angeles, California. Hearn will need to figure out how he can meet Gonzalez’s asking price for the fight, which promises to be an exciting match-up.
In the meantime, Rungvisai (47-5-1, 41 KOs) needs to defeat 40-year-old former IBF flyweight champion Amnat Ruenroeng (20-3, 6 KOs) Workpoint Studio, in Bang Phun, Thailand.
Rungvisai returns against Ruenroeng on Aug.1
“The return of Rungvisai, the former WBC world champion, in Thailand against Amnat Ruenroeng. We saw him win the world flyweight championship when he beat Shiming Zou,” said Hearn to Matchroom Boxing.
“It’s a big fight, an excellent match to warm up. Of course, that division is red hot right now with the victory by Chocolatito over Kal Yafai. Juan Estrada beat Rungvisai recently.
Those three are on a collision course and a good start that will be an excellent exciting day for the world of boxing. You’ll get a chance to see a pound-for-pound star in Rungvisai, and I’m looking forward to his career being successful on August 1,” said Hearn.
Rungvisai, 33, should be able to win this fight against Ruenroeng, but we’ll have to see. The former WBC 115lb champion Rungvisai hasn’t fought since losing to Juan Estrada by a 12 round decision last year in April, and he might not be at his best.
Against Estrada, Rungvisai fought like he was discouraged, and he didn’t seem to have his heart into the contest. The pro-Estrada crowd at The Forum in Los Angeles may have done something to Rungvisai’s confidence because he wasn’t the same guy that had beaten Estrada in their first fight in 2018 at The Forum.
Hearn to try and make Chocolatito vs. Estrada II
Everybody is looking forward to what’s next for the division. Juan Estrada will fight Chocolatito next,” said Hearn. “We’re trying to make that fight, probably or October time for DAZN in America, and then the winner of that fight will fight Rungvisai, provided he gets through on the first.
“Rungvisai had a great run against Chocolatito, but also the Estrada-Rungvisai fights were fantastic, number one and number two, which we promoted in LA.
“It was fantastic, and all of those fights, where it’s Estrada against Rungvisai, whether it’s Chocolatito against Rungvisai, but it’s a beautiful division.
“I’m so lucky to represent those three fighters, and fingers crossed Rungvisai can do the business on August 1 in Thailand.
“It’s all about boxing, August 1. We’ve been out for a long time, and the world’s been struggling, and the sport’s been struggling. Now it’s back. It’s going to be something else. A wonderful night of boxing,” said Hearn.
Hearn has the money to make the Gonzalez vs. Estrada 2 rematch, but he’s picking a wrong time to make it. Gonzalez-Estrada is a considerable match-up, and it deserves to take place in front of a live audience in Los Angeles.
If you’re Chocolatito and Estrada, you should consider waiting until large groups are allowed for boxing events before they fight. But on the other hand, if DAZN and Matchroom are willing to pay Gonzalez and Estrada enough money, then perhaps they’ll agree to fight without fans.
Gonzalez recently beat Matchroom fighter Kal Yafai by a 9th round knockout last February. That was the old Chocolatito that the world had remembered, and he performed in almost an identical way as he had earlier in his career.
Chocolatito’s career took a hit when he lost twice to Rungvisai in 2017.