Fuentes to challenge Gonzales for WBC title

CEBU, Philippines - ALA Boxing Gym stalwart Rocky ‘Road Warrior’ Fuentes (35-7-2, 20KOs) gets another big break as he will challenge the reigning WBC flyweight champion Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzales (40-0, 34KOs) on November 22 at the Yokohama International Swimming Pool in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.

ALA Promotions President and CEO Michael Aldeguer said that Gonzales personally chose the hard-hitting Cebuano fighter to be his challenger in a voluntary title defense.

“He (Gonzales) wanted a big name so he chose Fuentes to be his challenger,” said Aldeguer. “Gonzales is based in Japan and Rocky is popular in that country.”

Aldeguer admitted that Fuentes is facing a tall order in dethroning the Nicaraguan boxing star, but showed confidence that the ALA stalwart will go home with the belt.

“It is going to be a difficult fight. Gonzales is probably the best boxer in the 112 lbs. division, but this is good for Rocky. The timing is good because Rocky needs this as he is a veteran in the sport with a lot of experience,” added Aldeguer.

This is Fuentes’ second crack at the world title after falling short against undefeated Thai Amnat Ruenroeng via unanimous decision for the IBF flyweight crown on January 22 in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

Fuentes must brace for an uphill battle against Gonzales. The Nicaraguan is ranked No.9 in the world pound-for-pound rating of the Ring Magazine.

His recent fight is against Japanese Akira Yaegashi in which he won via ninth round TKO to claim the WBC crown last May 9 in Tokyo, Japan. (FREEMAN)