By Jeff Aronow: WBC mandatory Srisaket Sor Rungvisai has agreed to step aside to let World Boxing Council super flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada to take on WBA 115-lb champion Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez on March 13th.

The winner of the Gonzalez vs. Estrada fight must face Rungvisai by August or September of 2021.

Chocolatito has twice lost to Rungvisai (49-5-1, 42 KOs) in a pair of defeats in 2017.

For his part, ‘El Gallo’ Estrada (41-2, 28 KOs) has split two fights with the hard-hitting 34-year-old Rungvisai, losing a 12 round decision against him in 2018, and then he avenging the loss with a 12 round decision in 2019.

Rungvisai to fight the winner

It’s a good deal for Rungvisai to step aside because he’ll still get a chance to fight the Estrada vs. Gonzalez winner unless they elect to vacate the WBC.

If you’re Chocolatito, it might be wise for him to give up the WBC belt if he beats Estrada because Rungvisai showed that he has his number in their two fights.

Chocolatito isn’t powerful or big enough to beat Rungvisai with his normal style of fighting.

The only thing that works to beat Rungvisai is movement, which Estrada and Carlos Cuadras both used to defeat him.

Chocolatito (50-2, 41 KOs) does seem to know how to move around the ring, which isn’t surprising because he’s spent his entire career being the aggressor in his fights.

If Roman doesn’t change that style of fighting for a potential third fight with Rungvisai, he’ll be beaten again. That’s why Gonzalez needs to seriously think about whether it’s worth it to hold onto the WBC title if he beats Estrada.

WBC’s update on Gonzalez vs. Estrada fight

“Rungvisai will keep his mandatory status and #1 ranked position at WBC Super flyweight, and will get to fight for the WBC Title next by August/September 2021 against the winner of Juan Francisco Estrada vs Roman Gonzalez.

This highly anticipated rematch is made possible due to the exemplary acceptance and sportsmanship of mandatory contender Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, who has agreed to temporarily step aside to allow this great fight to happen.”

Many options for Gonzalez – Estrada winner

Rungvisai is one of the excellent fights out there for the winner of the Chocolatito vs. Estrada trilogy clash on March 13. These are some excellent options for the Gonzalez – Estrada III winner:

Jerwin Ancajas
Joshua Franco
Andrew Moloney
Kal Yafai
Carlos Cuadras
Kosei Tanaka
McWilliams Arroyo
Mikhail Aloyan
Julio Cesar Martinez

Chocolatito, 33, and Estrada fought eight years ago in 2012, with Roman coming out victorious with a 12 round unanimous decision. The win for Chocolatito was controversial, though, as many boxing fans felt that Estrada had done more than enough to earn the victory.

Unfortunately, it’s taken this long for the two to get back in the ring for a rematch. At this point, the younger fighter Estrada, 30, is expected to the favorite over Gonzalez in their rematch.