IBF flyweight champion Amnat Ruenroeng of Thailand is likely to land a lucrative fight against pound-for-pound king and WBC flyweight champion Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez of Nicaragua in a unification bout early next year.
According to Boxing Scene, Gonzalez has disclosed to the local media in Nicaragua that that “plans are in the works for Amnat Ruenroeng,” which could take place on February 16, 2016. The two contending fighters are reportedly putting their titles on the line in a reunification bout in a venue that is yet to be disclosed by their respective promoters. Aside from being the reigning Ring’s pound-for-pound king, Gonzalez is also the current WBC flyweight titlist while Ruenroeng is the reigning IBF flyweight champion. Gonzalez is coming off a ninth round TKO win over Filipino-American Brian Viloria in the undercard of the Golovkin-Lemieux fight at the Madison Square Garden last Oct. 17 to retain his WBC and The Ring Flyweight titles. Gonzalez is unbeaten in 44 fights since he turned pro in 2005. The Nicaraguan boxing superstar has been in talks with Juan Francisco Estrada of Mexico for a possible rematch but they could not reach an agreement on the fight purse. Gonzalez outpointed Estrada during their first encounter in 2012. Ruenroeng is coming off a unanimous decision win against Johnriel Casimero of the Philippines in foul-ridden fight last June 27 to retain his IBF flyweight title. The fight was marred by foul shots from both sides, but mostly coming from Ruenroeng from the early rounds until the end of the 12-round title fight. Although a point was deducted from Ruenroeng for a foul call in the seventh round. it was obvious the referee was too lenient in his officiating. Ruenroeng (16-0-0, 5 KOs), who was serving a jail term for robbery while competing in the amateur, got his freedom when he won a national title in the flyweight division. Later, he represented Thailand at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing after winning a bronze medal in the 2007 World Amateur Boxing Championships in Chicago. Read more.
