Román Alberto González Luna vs. Rober Antonio Barrera Estrada

July twelfth in Managua, Nicaragua.

This will be a "homecoming" for Romagon, having not fought on his native soil in nine years - and perhaps the last opportunity he will have to do so in his career. He is said to be retiring after just a couple more bouts.

With all due respect to his opponent, a Colombian with a 1½″ height and 2½″ reach advantage who is five years the local favorite's junior - he isn't really meant to have a chance here. If he does pull the upset, it ought to mean pulling the plug on any plans beyond this domestic return.

The original choice was Luis Miguel "El Nica" Concepción Montiel. The former two-divsion champion, although Panamanian, spent the bulk of his childhood living in Nicaragua (hence the nickname). He defeated Barrera for the WBA interim world flyweight belt in 2020. A dream match between he and González has long been discussed (for several years) and this would seem to have been the "now or never" final offer, but El Nica is said to have priced himself out...so they went to plan B with Rober.

 

I actually wouldn't be too shocked if Barrera did at least last the distance, however. Choc only has a few super fly stoppages and the last was before the Covid pandemic, in February of 2020.

El Huracán has only two stoppage losses - both late. Luis Concepción, a huge puncher, dropped Rober in round 2 and he hung around all the way until round 11. Ryōichi Taguchi took nine to grind him down with body shots.

 

Less than a fortnight out.

If he dispatches Barrera impressively enough, how do we feel about Román González being the last of the super fly old guard to have a whack at Bam Rodríguez? (following after the unsuccessful attempts of Cuadras, Wangek, and Estrada?)

 

El Chocolatito -2500
El Huracán +1420

 

Yeah, and there are many scenarios even short of the actual upset that would be heavy cautions against messing around beyond this level. No more of this "hey, a win's a win" benefit of the doubt you'd give a young blue chip.

37 years old with 300 rounds on the odometer (and dozens of those against killers) is no joke in this weight range.

 

Undercard is straight up caca.

https://boxrec.com/en/event/899401