Kal Yafai vs Roman Gonzalez: A fight long overdue!
British Promoter Eddie Hearn announced via social media that WBA junior bantamweight champion Khalid “Kal” Yafai (26-0, 15ko) will be making the sixth defense of the title against former Pound-for-pound #1 fighter and four division champion Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez (48-2, 40ko).
This is a huge fight for the WBA champion. For a long time the boxing community was asking when the British champion was going to mix it up with the top tier level fighters in the division.
Furthermore, Yafai acknowledged this fact and set a goal to fight one of the top tier champions or contenders in 2020.
In fairness, he has defeated former world champion Luis Concepcion and former title contenders Israel Gonzalez and Sho Ishida. However, none of them are the same caliber fighter of the former top pound-for-pound Nicaraguan boxer.
Gonzalez once ruled the lower weight division, conquering four divisions during the high point of his career. Then in 2017, the former champion fell victim twice to unknown Thailand fighter named Srisaket Sor Rungvisai.
It was a shock to the boxing community, especially in the rematch where he was brutally knocked out.
A GOOD START FOR 2020
The former four-divisional champion has looked impressive during a two-fight win streak, regaining the hunger that made him a top pound-for-pound fighter. Regaining a world title would undoubtedly ease some of the pain of losing his place atop boxing royalty.
The WBA champion has a chance to finally quiet all the doubters and take his place among the boxing elites. If victorious, then a mega unification fight could be in the works for later in the year.
This fight is on the under-card for former three-divisional champion Mikey Garcia making his DAZN debut against former WBO welterweight champion Jessie Vargas.
Catch all the action live on DAZN at The Ford Center at The Star, Frisco, Texas on February 29.
By: Garrisson Bland
