Because of the short time to be in shape for thisJunior bantamweightfight, Rey Martinez (18-1-0, 14 KOs), lost the very first round against the scale. He weighed 1.4 pounds more than the limit (115). After the Mexican accepted to pay a 20% fine of his purse and had another weigh-in the morning before the fight, in which he could not weigh more than 125pounds, the fight is still on.

On the other hand, Roman Gonzalez easily checked on 114.8 lbs. The Nicaraguan legend (50-3-0, 41 KOs) wishes to get back the Junior bantamweight titles he once had, so if he wants to get close to his goal, he has to defeat the thorny Martinez to become a mandatory rival for the current WBC champion Jesse Rodriguez.

Eddie Hearn’s shocking prediction on Chocolatito vs Rey Martinez

As one of the closest persons to the best boxers in the world, Eddie Hearn’s opinion must be heard. He is so excited about the clash between Roman Gonzalez and theemerging contender Julio Cesar Martinez, that his prediction was totally unexpected.

“The best fight I have ever seen live was Chocolatito vs Estrada II, but now I am way more excited for Chocolatito vs Martinez because Martinez is a crazy son of a b…ch and really anything can happen here. Martinez can knockout Chocolatito in just one round. This could be a real war, and even Martinez can be stopped by Chocolatito at the end of the fight. Anything can happen“, said Hearn according to Izquierdazo.

The British promoter shared the moment when he offered Rey Martinez and his trainerEddy Reynoso, Canelo Alvarez’s lifelong coach, to replace GallitoEstrada: “I texted Reynoso and told him ‘Is a remote possibility but could Rey Martinez take the Chocolatito fight?’ Then Eddy answered me ‘My crazy fighter is ready’. After that, ‘Chocolatito’ accepted too and everything was settled.”

Who is Julio Cesar Rey Martinez?

Being born 27 years ago in one of the toughest neighborhoods of Mexico City, Julio Cesar Martinez is an authentic Kamikaze in the ring, as he enjoys exchanging blows at any time of a fight. He is the current WBC Flyweight Champion of the world, having conquered his title in 2019. So far, he has made 3 successful defenses of it.

His only defeat came on his professional debut in 2015. Since then, he has faced skilledopponents such as former World Champion Edgar Sosa, and contenders Charlie Edwards, and McWilliams Arroyo. During his amateur career, Martinez held 250 fights, having won 220.

After two great fights, boxing fans were eagerly awaiting the trilogy between Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez and Juan Francisco “El Gallo” Estrada (their second fight was, together with Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder, the best of 2021). However, the Mexican‘s positive for COVID-19 forced the Nicaraguan to face another rival.

That rival was another Mexican, Julio Cesar Martinez, and although the trilogy of this great rivalry will have to wait, at least the fans will be able to see a new edition of the boxing rivalry between Mexico and Nicaragua.

Roman Gonzalez vs Julio Cesar Martinez: Fight information

Date: Saturday, March 5
Time: 8:30 PM (ET)
Location: Pechanga Arena, San Diego, California
Live Stream in the US: DAZN

Roman Gonzalez vs Julio Cesar Martinez: Time by State in the US

ET: 8:30 PM
CT: 7:30 PM
MT: 6:30 PM
PT: 5:30 PM

Roman Gonzalez vs Julio Cesar Martinez: Storylines and Head-to-Head

Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez has a record of 50 wins (41 by KO) and 3 losses; while Julio Cesar Martinez’s record is 18 wins (14 by KO), 1 loss and two No contest. These are two fighters with a high KO percentage and it would not be strange if the fight end in this way. “Chocolatito” is famous for being a “Mexican killer” since in 21 fights against rivals of this nationality he won 20 and lost 1. This will be his 22nd fight against a Mexican.

How to watch or live stream Roman Gonzalez vs Julio Cesar Martinez in the US

The bout between Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez and Julio Cesar Martinez in the super flyweight division today, March 5 at 8:30 PM (ET) with the main event expected around 11:30 PM (ET) can be watched in the United States on DAZN.

Roman Gonzalez vs Julio Cesar Martinez: Predictions and Odds

The Oddsmakers have a favorite for this fight. These are the odds according to DraftKings, Roman Gonzalez is the favorite to take the victory with -140 odds, while +115 odds will be for the Julio Cesar Martinez’s victory.

*Odds via DraftKings

For boxing fans, it was a great disappointment that the trilogy between Juan Francisco “El Gallo” Estrada and Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez could not be completed. This was, together with Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder, one of the two best fights of 2021. However, Estrada‘s positive for COVID-19 forced Gonzalez to change the rival.

Fortunately for the fans, they will be able to enjoy a new edition of the boxing rivalry between Mexico and Nicaragua, when the former WBA super flyweight champion Roman Gonzalez faces Julio Cesar Martinez who is the current WBC flyweight world champion, but who will not expose his title in this fight.

Roman Gonzalez vs Julio Cesar Martinez: Date

This fight in the super flyweight division between Roman Gonzalez and Julio Cesar Martinez (in a new edition of the boxing rivalry between Mexico and Nicaragua) will take place this Saturday, March 5 at 8:30 PM (ET) with the main event expected around 11:30 PM (ET).

Roman Gonzalez vs Julio Cesar Martinez: Time by State in the US

ET: 8:30 PM
CT: 7:30 PM
MT: 6:30 PM
PT: 5:30 PM

TV channel in the US Canada to watch Roman Gonzalez vs Julio Cesar Martinez

The fight between Roman Gonzalezand Julio Cesar Martinez in the super flyweight division this Saturday, March 5 at 8:30 PM (ET) with the main event expected around 11.30 PM (ET) can be watched in the United States on DAZN.

So far in 2022, there have been, at least, threegoodclashes that have suffered modifications or, even more, have been canceled due to COVID-19 contagion. The first of these situations occurredon the very first boxing card of the year. Canelo Alvarez teammate, Frank Sanchez lost his rival Carlos Negron had to be replaced by German Christian Hammer. The result was a very boring fight as Hammer was not in shape.

The first 2022 World title fight suffered the pandemic force. WBO World Light heavyweight Joe Smith Jr was supposed to defend his belt from British Callum Johnson, however, the contender was pulled out of 9 days before the main date, again, because of a COVID-19 contagion. Jesse Vargas vs Liam Smith didn’t have the same luck as Vargas infection cause of the cancelation of the bout scheduled for February 5.

The mega-fight that could not happen owing to COVID-19

For many boxing fans and experts, the most anticipated fight for the first trimester of 2022 was the third clash between Juan FranciscoGalloEstrada and RomanChocolatitoGonzalez. The supremacy of the Super flyweight division was at stake; also the WBA World title of the 115pounds category.

However, according to Levi Luna, Nicaraguanjournalist, the fight between the Mexican and the Nicaraguan titans could not be held on March 5 as it was anticipated. The reason is a COVID-19 contagion ofGallitoEstrada in the early days of January 2022.

Lunasaid that the current WBA World Super flyweight Champion hadtough symptoms like feverand cough. Then, after coming back to training on January 17, Estrada’s bodyhas not performed as he expected, so the Mexican’s team might have taken the decision to postpone the clash against Chocolatito Gonzalez. However, a medical statement of Estrada and Matchroom Boxing is expected to be released soon to clarify the situation.

Juan Francisco Estrada has lost his first fight against RomanChocolatitoGonzalez in 2012by the way of a unanimous decision. Then, in 2021, both have clashed again, being the Mexican boxer the winner with a controversial split decision. In this bout, Estrada and Gonzalez have set the record of the major amount of punches thrown in a 115-pound fight, with 2,500 blows.

The Thai Rungvisai and Carlos Cuadras have clashed in 2014, in Mexico City, in a fight for the WBC Super flyweight World title. On that occasion, PrinceCuadras was crowned new monarch of the 115-pound category. However, the way the fight ended was an invitation to have a rematch, the one that will happen almost 8 years after.

During round 8 of a very intense fight, Cuadras got his left eye cut because of a head clash with Sor Rungvisai. The injury did not allow the Sinaloanative to continue so it was necessary to go to the card’s punctuation so farto have a winner: Cuadras overcame Rungvisai, who suffered a one-point deduction due to the headbutt he gave to Carlos. Both fighters will meet again in the ring for the same boxing world title.

The best upcoming fights of the lightest boxing weight classes

On the horizon of boxing fans, not only Sor Rungvisai vs Carlos Cuadras II appears as a promising fight of the smallestdivisions. Probably no other of the heavier classes aboveoffer the clash of their top dogs in consecutive months. Get ready cause the action will not stop.

Panya Pradabsri vs Wanheng Menayothin II. Since January 25, there will be elite bouts in the tiny categories of boxing. The Thai Pradabsri (37-1-0) defends his WBC World Minimum title in a rematch against veteran countryman Wanheng Menayothin (55-1-0). Pradabsri broke the undefeated 54 fight streak of Menayothin and took the WBCbelt away from himwith a victory by a Unanimous Decision in November 2020.

Juan Francisco Estrada vs Roman Gonzalez III. Exactly one month after Rungvisai vs Cuadras II, the Super flyweight division has another World title fight and, maybe, a contender for the Fight of the Year award with the third clash betweenGallo (42-3-0)andChocolatito (50-3-0). Until now the score is 1-1.

The Nicaraguan fourth-division World Champion defeated Estrada in 2012 by the way of a Unanimous Decision in Los Angeles. At that time, Gonzalez was considered as one of the best Pound for Pound boxers in the world. In 2021, the Mexican overcameChocolatitoon a controversial Split decision. This last fight between them holds the current record of most punches thrown in a fight of 112 lbs with 2500.

Naoya Inoue vs Nonito Donaire II. Back in 2019, one of the most memorable bouts was the one between The MonsterandThe Filipino Flash. The Japanesefighter was close to getting knocked out and losing his undefeated, buthis granite chin saved him and also helped him to steal Nonito’s WBA World Bantambelt.

Twoyears later, Inoue (22-0-0, 19 KO’s) is at the peak of his career and searches to give one more step to the Unification of the 118 lbs World titles. On his behalf, Donaire has had an incredible comeback to the boxing elite by becoming the WBC World Bantam Champion. A World title unification fightbetween the Japanese three-division World Champion and the Philippine four-division monarch is reported to happen in April in Japan, according to Boxing Scene.

Of course, even all the following clashes are already signed, the world has and faces right nowa very skillfulrival, the pandemic due to COVID-19, that is capable of causing last minutes changes, such as the recently announced for January 15: WBO Light heavyweight champion Joe Smith Jr‘s rival Callum Johnson was ruled out due to the virus.

The first 3 months of 2022 bring to the boxing fans all kinds of bouts: the nostalgic ones, such as the comeback of former World Middleweight Champion Sergio Martinez vs Macaulay McGowan; those of vindication, being Keith Thurman vs Mario Barrios and Amir Khan vs Kell Brook, and the ones for supremacylike Charlo vs Castaño II, Josh Taylor vs. Jack Catterall andClaressa Shields vs. Ema Kozin.

The best upcoming boxing fights in 2022’s first trimester

The attention is stolen by Claressa Shields vs. Ema Kozin. The undefeated Russian Kozin wants to take away T-Rexbelts collection:WBC, IBF, and WBA women’s Middleweight titles. Besides Shields, just Unified Lightweight Champion Katie Taylor, and legend Amanda Serrano can be named as the current Pound for Pound best female fighters.

When a Unified World Champion comes to the ring is impossible not to stare at him. This is the case of Scottish Josh Taylor who exposes all of his Junior welterweight titles against undefeated Jack Catterall. This war’s winner may have the right to meet former WorldLightweight Champion Teofimo Lopez in the ring in the last months of 2022.

The young blood of boxing wants to grow up quickly by winning interesting fights to have the right to demand top-class opponents. We are talking about Jaime Munguia and Vergil Ortiz Jr.. Both need to confirm what everybody expects of them with convincing victories against D’Mitrius Ballard and Michael Mckinson.

Finally, a World Champion in four weight classes comes back after suffering his first and terrifying knockout courtesy of GervontaTankDavis: Leo TerremotoSanta Cruz. The Mexican champ meets KeenanBedoCarbajal in Las Vegas. Could Leo be able to recover from the darkest episode of his career?

The whole list of the next best upcoming fights

-March 4,Jose Ramirez vsJose Pedraza, Super lightweight

-March 5, Roman Gonzalez vs Julio Cesar Martinez, WorldSuper flyweight

-March 19 Vergil Ortiz Jr. vsMichael McKinson, Welterweight

Edgar Berlanga vs Steve Rolls, Super welterweight

-March 26, Kiko Martinez vsJosh Warrington, IBF World Featherweight title

The highly expected rematch between Estrada and ‘Chocolatito’ will take place about nine years later from their only meeting so far. They will face at the American Airlines Center from Dallas in a massive super flyweight title unification fight.

The Mexican heads to this event to defend the WBC title that he clinched in April, 2019 against Sor Rungvisai, who beat him on their previous battle. The ‘Gallo’ now faces the opportunity to take another revenge, this time against ‘Chocolatito’, who is putting the WBA super flyweight belt at stake.

Juan Francisco Estrada vs Román ‘Chocolatito’ González: Fight Information

Date: Saturday, March 13, 2021
Time: Coverage starts 8 PM (ET), the Main EventEstrada vs González 11 PM (ET) approximately.
Location: American Airlines Center, Dallas

Juan Francisco Estrada vs Román ‘Chocolatito’ González: Time by State in the US

Main Event:
ET: 11 PM (approximately).
CT: 10 PM
MT: 9 PM
PT: 8 PM

* The start time of the fight depends on the length of the previous bouts.

Juan Francisco Estrada vs Román ‘Chocolatito’ González: Storylines

This is one of the most desired fights that the boxing world has been waiting for. Almost nine years have passed from the only time in which they faced each other. ‘Chocolatito’ was the winner then, and from that moment on, things have been a bit different for both.

The ‘Gallo’ came back really stronger after that defeat by unanimous decision and recorded 15 wins out of 16 battles. The only defeat he suffered was againstSor Rungvisai, to whom he beat afterwards to claim the belt that he currently holds. Before to this upcomingmatchup, Estrada has retained the WBC super flyweight title twice.

‘Chocolatito’ continued with an impressive streak after that highly remembered win over the Mexican, and went up to an amazing 46-0 record. However, Rungvisai shocked him in two consecutive fights, the first one by Majority decision and the other by Knockout. González still managed to bounce back and won four straight bouts after that. The native of Nicaragua claimed the WBA belt against Khalid Yafai and retained it vs Israel González on October 2020. The winner of this upcoming fight would be certainly recognized as the world’s best superflyweight boxer, as both the WBA and the WBCtitles are at stake.

How to watch or live stream Juan Francisco Estrada vs Román ‘Chocolatito’ González in the US

The Main Event of Juan Francisco ‘Gallo’ Estrada vs Román ‘Chocolatito’ González 2 of Saturday March 13, 2021 to be held at the American Airlines Center in Dallas will be broadcasted in the US by DAZN.

Juan Francisco Estrada vs Román ‘Chocolatito’ González: Predictions and Odds

Oddsmakers seem to be quite certain about who may claim the win in Dallas. FanDuel has given odds of -174 to Juan Francisco Estrada beating ‘Chocolatito’, while a victory of Román González would result in a +136 payout.

* Odds via FanDuel