Former world title challenger, Rocky “Road Warrior” Fuentes believes unbeaten Nicaraguan Roman “El Chocolatito” Gonzales will beat Fil-Am Brian “Hawaiian Punch” Viloria when they meet on October 17 at the Madison Square Garden in New York City, USA.
He may have made an unpopular choice considering that its his own countryman battling the reigning WBC world flyweight king. But Fuentes surely knows where he speaks, having lost to Gonzales last November.
Gonzales (43-0, 37KOs), who was recently installed the new best pound-for-pound boxer in the world following the departure of Floyd Mayweather Jr., knocked Fuentes out in the sixth round in his successful defense of his WBC world flyweight title in Japan.
Viloria (36-4, 22KOs), is a former WBA and WBO flyweight champion.
“For me, Gonzales has the upper hand in this fight. He’s got the power, the speed and timing so he’s got a better chance of winning over Viloria. But I also believe that Viloria will give him a good fight, after all, he too has got power and speed and is a former world boxing champion himself. It will definitely be a good fight,” Fuentes said during the official launching of Pinoy Pride 34: Back with a Vengeance last Monday at the Saint Mark Hotel.
Pinoy Pride 34 will be held at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-lapu City on November 18.
Fuentes will fight in the undercard of PP34 as part of his come back after losing to Gonzales late last year. He holds a record of 35 wins, 20 by knockout, with eight losses and two draws.
His opponent is yet to be named.
Fuentes said Gonzales is not just a good boxer but a nice guy outside the ring as well based on his experience when he served as the latter’s sparring partner a few years ago before they clashed for the world title.
Fuentes will be joined in PP34 by his two ALA Gym stablemates namely “King” Arthur Villanueva and Milan “El Metodico” Melindo. Villanueva will fight for the WBC International super flyweight title while Melindo will gun for the WBO International junior flyweight belt.