Sorry to post this on the Classic, but I value your guys opinion on this one. Ring Magazine said that this guy, as far as potential goes, is the next Ricardo Lopez; they also compared his style to Alexis Arguello. Roman Gonzales is 22-0 (20 KO's). He is 21 years old. He hasn't fought top line contendors and champions his whole career, but he took out long defending champ Yutaka Niida in quick time (4th round)and also contender Eriberto Gejon in the first round. One of the guys he failed to KO he knocked down seven times during the contest; the other guy he beat by a landslide points decision. Here is the last bit of his fight with Niida (I think Niida was making his tenth defence and was recognised by most as the divisional No.1 - the fight took place in Niida's hometown): [YT]ZJpBUlnZPtE[/YT] Here is his fight with contender Gejon (24-2 entering the contest): [YT]D4q2FSLFmqM[/YT] He's only 21 years of age. What do you think? Does he look the goods? I know he can be open to a punch, but his chin looks solid and he looks like he can just walk through the pain. He may be able to become more elusive with age. I think he looks like a fantastic prospect in the lower weight divisions.
He's the clear cut top dog at Straw-weight now, and finally gives us a respectable fighter to be the face of the division in Lopez's stead. I think he's a very good young technician. Fights by the books, puts conviction in his punches, and should be able to get by dominating the division with the lack of any other talent there. I'd like to see him against Calderon.
Apparently there is talk of him moving up; he has the height to do it. Going on the footage I have seen I think he looks excellent; I see that Niida trys to make a stand now and again, but is always driven back by the ferocity of the attack from Gonzalez. If his power carries, and he refines certain aspects of his technical game, I feel he could be something special. It really is too early to tell, but as far as potential goes he looks awesome in my eyes.
