When you are an amateur boxer, you have to throw punches in bunches. Because you only have three or four rounds to win a fight, you have to make a big impression on all three judges. The judges have to decide who is the more active boxer landing the most punches in such a small window of time.
When you become a professional fighter, clean effective punching is what's sought after. Throwing a bunch of ineffective "slapping" punches that land isn't going to win you the round if your opponent cracks you with a clean right hand, hurting you in the process. The power is typically not going to be felt when a fighter throws a bunch of whirlwind "amateur" style punches. Apparently, Roman "El Chocolatito" Gonzalez (44-0 38 KOs) didn't get the memo...
With the "retirement" of Floyd Mayweather Jr., "El Chocolatito" may now be considered the pound for pound best fighter in the world. The flyweight champion does not have the twinkle toes, shoulder rolling, "Philly" boxing style Mayweather has.
The 28 years old Nicaraguan ball of fire is an inside fighter who throws ten punch combinations over and over again. He will pressure you, stand in the middle of the ring, and throw everything at you including the kitchen sink. But he is not your typical brawler that resembles the likes of Antonio Margarito, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., or a rock 'em sock 'em robot toy. Gonzalez has tight defense, subtle head movement, and graceful footwork. He has the volume punching of an amateur with the power of a true professional. Now that's a special fighter.
On Saturday night, "El Chocolatito" made his pay per view debut on the Golovkin vs Lemieux undercard. He faced off against two division champion Brian Viloria (36-4 22 KOs). Both men did not have to look far to find one another. It was barn burner where both fighters landed vicious shots to the head and body. But Gonzalez clearly edged the "Hawaiian Punch" on power and long winded combination punching. Neither fighter was willing to quit on their own. Although the referee had to save Viloria from himself in the 9th round after sustaining too much punishment.
So next time you see this fighter with an "amateur" style swag headline an event, stay tuned. You will see what kind of professional he truly is. A professional in every sense of the word, in and out of the ring.
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