Saturday night, HBO Boxing presents a pretty unique event as they turn the spotlight on boxing’s lighter weight classes – specifically the 115 pound super flyweight division, with all 5 of the top ranked fighters in the division competing on this card. The three fight card, subtitled “Superfly”, is headlined by Srisaket Sor Rungvisai vs. Roman Gonzalez II, and airs this Saturday, September 9 with a fight time of 10:15 p.m ET for the HBO card. Here is a look at all three fights.
SOR RUNGVISAI vs. GONZALEZ II
HBO, Sat. Sept. 9, 10:15 p.m. ET
Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (43-4-1, 39 KOs) vs. Roman Gonzalez (46-1, 38 KOs)
12 rounds, for Sor Rungvisai’s WBC super flyweight (115 lbs) title
This is a rematch from March. Heading into that first fight, Chocolatito was undefeated and viewed by many analysts as the #1 pound for pound fighter in the world. Thailand’s Srisaket changed all of that, taking a very close (and mildly controversial) majority decision win. Chocolatito has now fallen to a still impressive #4 pound for pound on the Ring list. The story of their first fight was volume vs. power. Gonzalez significantly outstruck Sor Rungvisai 441-284, but Sor Rungvisai landed almost exclusively power shots – 98% of his punches were power punches, which is a stat you just don’t see in a 12 round fight. The question for this fight is all about Chocolatito. If he was indeed #1 once, and if he’s not far outside his best days, he should be able to learn from that fight, make the adjustments, and gain his revenge here.
Naoya Inoue (13-0, 11 KOs) vs. Antonio Nieves (17-1-2, 9 KOs)
12 rounds, for Inoue’s WBO super flyweight (115 lbs) title
While Gonzalez vs. Sor Rungvisai is the big fight here, for many fans, the US debut of Japan’s Inoue is just as big a deal. At just 13 fights into his pro career, Inoue has become a major name in Japan, and a fighter fans are eagerly looking forward to seeing challenged in the US. Has Gonzalez won in March, it’s possible we would be looking at a much discussed Gonzalez vs. Inoue fight right here, but both men winning could still make that happen. Inoue is a serious power puncher, with some great KOs that brought him the nickname The Monster. Ring has him at #1 in the division (yes, above both the main eventers) and #10 pound for pound. Nieves is a 6 year pro who has not faced much great opposition. He took a step up in his last fight in March, taking on the 16-0-1 Nikolai Potapov. Nieves lost a split decision. He’s fought primarily up a weight at 118 pounds. He’s here as a foil for the Inoue debut.
Carlos Cuadras (36-1-1, 27 KOs) vs. Juan Francisco Estrada (35-2, 25 KOs)
12 rounds, super flyweight (115 lbs)
Sometimes you can skip the openers on boxing cards and not miss anything. Not here. This is a great, even fight with the #4 ranked Cuadras against the #5 ranked Estrada. Both have a ton of experience against quality opposition. Cuadras had a big fight last September when he put up a game performance against Chocolatito, losing a decision, but making a great showing of himself. He’s won against the very respectable David Carmona since then. Estrada is a young Mexican fighter who had his own strong outing against Gonzalez back in 2012. Not long ago, Estrada vs. Gonzalez II was being discussed, as he’s a flawless 9-0 since that fight. Winner here will make a strong case for getting the next shot at the division’s #1 – whoever that may be when this night is over.
Join Bloody Elbow Saturday night for live fight night coverage of HBO Boxing After Dark Sor Rungvisai vs. Gonzalez II.
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