10 September, 2017
Carlos Cuadras (L) and Juan Francisco Estrada.
Thailand's Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (L) and Nicaragua's Roman "Chocolaito" Gonzalez.
The 30-year-old Gonzalez's loss took place just three months after the death of his longtime trainer, Arnulfo Obando. "If I didn't think I could win I wouldn't have taken this fight". He said the transition was hard because he had built muscle memory to kick and throw elbows.
Gonzalez will earn $600,000 for the fight while Sor Rungvisai will make $170,000, according to contract details released on Friday by the California State Athletic Commission.
"I'll be my very best and you will see a great fight", he told the crowd through a translator. "I'm very proud I've made it to this point in my life". He is a world champion but I am coming hungry to fight.
"Cuadras talks too much, he is always talking but can't back it up, I'm going to turn him into a Princess from a Prince".
Loeffler said he expected the entertainment value and global appeal of the card to result in a sellout.
In the co-feature for the WBO world super flyweight championship, defending champ Naoya Inoue (13-0-0, 11KOs) of Japan weighed in exactly at the division limit of 115 lbs while his challenger Antonio Nieves (17-1-2, 9 KOs) of Cleveland, Ohio came in at 113.8 lbs. His dedication to fighting in peak condition was evident when he placed a medical mask over his mouth and nose following the news conference, not taking any risk at catching a cold.
"This is my chance to fight for a world title if I win and I will be victorious on fight night".
His plan is to fight frequently in the US, in bouts against Saturday's other winners in a division that is emerging as one of the strongest in the sport. While many felt Chocolatito should have been given their first fight on the judges' scorecards rather than Sor Rungvisai, who won in a controversial majority decision, Sor Rungvisai left no doubt on Saturday night as he dominated Gonzalez for four rounds, ending the fight with a brutal right hook for the knockout.
It was a mean fight, during which Gonzalez (46-1, 38 KOs) was cut in the third round from head butts, Rungvisai eventually losing a point in the sixth round for initiating them. Doors will open on the night of the event at 4:00 p.m. PT with the first bell at 4:15 p.m. PT.
Opening the telecast, former WBC Super Flyweight world champion Carlos "Principe" Cuadras, (36-1-1, 27 KO's) of Mexico City will battle fellow rival countrymen and former two-time flyweight world champion Juan Francisco "El Gallo" Estrada, (35-2-0, 25 KO's) of Sonora, Mexico.
