Former four-weight world champion Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez 50-3 (41) has found the perfect replacement for old foe and reigning WBC and WBA super flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada 42-3 (28) who tested positive to Covid-19 at Perchanga Arena in San Diego, California on March 5.
WBC flyweight champion Julio Cesar Martinez 18-1 (14) 2NC will move up in weight to fill the void in what promises to a thrilling contest.
The 26-year-old Mexican has a fan-friendly style with a reputation for throwing hard punches in bunches.
“I am thrilled that I am able to move up in weight and fight the very best straight away,” Martinez said. “Chocolatito is a living legend and a fighter I have always admired, so to be fighting him in my first fight at super flyweight is special – but on the night, it’s going to be war and I am ready for it.
“I have ambitions to unify the flyweight division and that flame still burns, but this fight is so huge for me, and I did not hesitate to accept it – I promise the fans that I will put on a show.”
Gonzalez has proved throughout his 17-year pro career to be one of the most talented operators in the lighter weight classes. He won his first world title when he claimed the WBA minimumweight championship against Yutaka Niida in Japan in 2008 and has only gone from strength to strength since, winning world titles at junior flyweight, flyweight and super flyweight.
But the 34-year-old Nicaraguan is fast closing in on the last years of his career, which could provide and opportunity for Martinez to capitalise on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Promoter Eddie Hearn admitted he was lucky to find such a quality opponent to fill the slot.
“Sometimes the most unbelievable things happen in boxing,” the Matchroom Boxing boss said on The DAZN Boxing Show.
“I was in the cinema, and the film had finished. I looked at my phone and it’s Juan Hernandez, (who) is Estrada’s manager. (He says) ‘Eddie, I’m really sorry to say this, but Estrada had Covid a couple of weeks ago and he’s been trying to get back to the gym, but he’s just not going to be ready for March 5’.
“I’m like, ‘Juan, it’s an unbelievable fight. Two, we sold so many tickets in San Diego already. Three, why does this always happen to me?’.”
“Sean Gibbons messages me about (Jerwin) Ancajas, IBF world champion. Nice fight. That’s not Estrada-Chocolatito 3, but good fight.
“Robert Diaz messages me about Joshua Franco, WBA world champion. Good fight as Chocolatito is always in good fights. So, I’m thinking about those two, and then all of a sudden, I think to myself, ‘What about that crazy son of a gun, you’ve got a flyweight in Julio Cesar Martinez’.
“Julio Cesar Martinez and ‘Chocolatitio’ is one of the great moments where a young fighter says, ‘I’ll do it’.
“I spoke to Eddy Reynoso (Martinez’s manager) about the fight, and he said, ‘My crazy man will be ready.’ Forty-eight hours later, we just have a bloodbath on March 5.”
