Handy hardy Chocolatito: “There´s no small rival!”

WBC flyweight champion, Mexican Julio César Martínez is moving  up in a division to 115 pounds, to face formidable Román ‘Chocolatito’ González, next Saturday, March 5, at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California.

Martínez (18-1 14 KOs) will fight at 115 pounds for the first time against Chocolatito (50-3 41 KOs), replacing Juan Francisco Estrada, who`s still recovering from COVID-19.

In an interview with Matchroom, Gonzalez boldly stated:

“We were working for a long time for this bout, but Estrada got Covid. They then offered me this fight with Martinez. I have no problem accepting it. I want to face quality rivals. I’m sure it will be a great fight.

“I never imagined that I would fight Martinez, since he is a 112-pound champion. Yet, he`s in his prime, reigning at flyweight and coming straight up to fight me. I have always said that there`s no small rival. They`re all good, they all have hands and one hand can end a fight. Martinez has his thing, he’s good and he’s strong. The important thing is that we leave healthy and that the best man wins.”

Martinez’s last fight was a brief and action packed, against Puerto Rican McWilliams Arroyo, in New Hampshire, last November. Arroyo suffered a cut, from an accidental headbutt, which forced the fight to be stopped in the third round and ruled a “No Contest.” Both visited the canvas in the first round and Arroyo once in the second round.

Chocolatito vs Martínez is promoted by Matchroom Boxing and will be broadcast on DAZN.