A really incredible HBO potential triple header is coming together for September 9th, most likely in Los Angeles. Whether the rest of the card comes through or not, the main event will be a much anticipated rematch of the exciting and controversial first encounter between pound for pound elite Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzales and Thailand’s Srisaket Sor Rungvisai.
When Chocolatito Gonzales (46-1, 38 KOs) met Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (43-4-1, 39 KOs) in March, he had to survive a first round knockdown, repeated headbutts, and a constant flow of blood down his face, but basically everyone thought he earned a difficult, close, but clear decision win. Everyone, that is, besides the official judges who gave the fight to Rungvisai.
It was a very close fight, however. While I did score the fight for Gonzales and many did cry robbery, I could not get worked up about a fight I had so close going the other way. The rematch is very welcome. Hopefully it clears up some of the controversy following their first matchup. Either way, it is bound to be entertaining. The WBC belt will once again be up for grabs.
Also set for the card, Japanese super flyweight sensation Naoya “Monster” Inoue (13-0, 11 KOs) will be making his much anticipated United States debut in the co-main event. WBO titlist Monster Inoue is one of my absolute favorite fighters. I am beyond excited to come stateside even though I do not yet know his opponent. Hopefully the intent here is to set up a fight with the winner of the main event.
Incredibly, a third really great super flyweight bout is rumored to be potentially opening the show, making it a tripleheader. If so, once defeated elite Mexican super flyweight Carlos Cuadras (36-1, 27 KOs) would be matched against his countryman Juan Francisco Estrada (35-2, 25 KOs), a former longtime flyweight titlist one division down.
Super flyweight is one of the best divisions in the sport. Just a few years ago I could not imagine HBO investing in it no matter how good it ever became. Rarely am I glad to have been so wrong. 2017 continues to deliver as the best year in recent boxing memory.
