Roman Gonzalez almost retired from boxing

 by John Dennen

DECORATED champion Roman Gonzalez almost retired from boxing. In 2017 he suffered back to back defeats to Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, the first separated him from his WBC super-flyweight title, the latter separated him from his senses in the fourth round.

He was close to calling it a day. “Very close. I really wanted to retire because I wanted to spend time with my children, which I had not been able to, due to so much determination within my career and the training and whatnot. But at the same time, I spoke to my family, and my family encouraged me, as well as myself, to be able to fight in the ring and I feel it wasn’t my time. It wasn’t my time, and now I’m ready to fight once again September 15,” he said. “It was definitely a very difficult year from the loss that I suffered to Srisaket Sor Rungvisai.

“I wanted to fight. I believe I’ve received a lot of blessings for world titles, being ranked for a time as the number one pound-for-pound, and I believe that is enough, but I was just happy to have the opportunity again.”

On the undercard of Canelo Alvarez versus Gennady Golovkin at the T Mobile arena in Las Vegas “Chocolatito” will fight Moises Fuentes. “Nothing is written in boxing. I feel that I can beat Roman. It will definitely be something out of a dream, but I’m ready to fight and I hope I can beat him that Saturday,” Fuentes said.

Gonzalez is determined to win this and press on to recapture a world title. “I feel I’ve rejuvenated a lot. It’s really helped me be able to come back,” he said. “I believe the wisdom to be able to overcome this situation – I believe that I’m back in the ring and I’m coming in great condition and I definitely want to win the fight, like every other boxer, and I believe that I am starting to set up my comeback.

“I still would like to obtain a fifth world title.”