January 14, 2008
YOKOHAMA, JAPAN
Nicaraguan sensation, WBA top minimum contender Roman Gonzalez (17-0, 16 KOs), 108, went the distance for the first time in his career, though winning a nearly shutout decision (100-90 twice and 98-92) over formerly world-rated southpaw veteran Hiroshi Matsumoto (17-8-4, 8 KOs), 108, over ten beneath the Munoz-Kawashima WBA superfly title bout on Monday in Yokohama, Japan. His KO streak from the pro debut unfortunately stopped at sixteen.
The 20-year-old diamond made every effort to finish the tough Japanese veteran, battering him from all angles and hitting him upstairs and downstairs. But Matsumoto was so durable and determined that he admirably refused to go down, though he was occasionally close to a knockdown with heavy body shots by Chocolatito.
It might be a good lesson for the future world champ that he thus experienced fighting fully for ten rounds. Matsumoto, in later rounds, kept moving to-and-fro only to avert Chocolatitofs annihilation, which was successful despite his badly puffed face due to the Nicaraguanfs solid combinations. His promoter Akihiko Honda praised Chocolatitofs abundant stamina and good balance.
Promoter: Ohashi Promotions.
(1-14-08)