Román Alberto González Luna (born 17 June 1987) is a Nicaraguan professional boxer. He is the first boxer from Nicaragua to win world titles in four weight classes, having surpassed his mentor, idol, and former three-weight world champion Alexis Argüello.
He has held the WBA minimumweight title from 2008 to 2010; the WBA light flyweight title from 2011 to 2013; the WBC, and The Ring flyweight titles from 2014 to 2016, WBC super flyweight title from 2016 to 2017; and the WBA (Super) super flyweight title from 2020 to 2021. From September 2015 to March 2017, he was also ranked by The Ring and ESPN as the world's best active boxer, pound for pound.Ring ratings. Ring Magazine , retrieved 4 May 2016. He is known particularly for his aggressive pressure fighting style and combination punching.
Early life González was raised in Barrio La Esperanza, a disadvantaged suburb characterized by high crime rates and frequent flooding, along with inadequate sanitation facilities. His upbringing necessitated a "law of the jungle" mentality for survival, as indicated by González. This environment compelled him to develop a resilient and tough disposition early in life, enabling him to navigate the various challenges presented by his neighbourhood and daily existence.
His family experienced significant economic difficulties; his father intermittently earned a living by selling cleaning supplies and insecticides door-to-door, with young a Román often accompanying him on these sales trips within their community. These early experiences provided him with a first-hand understanding of poverty and fostered a determination to succeed and improve his family's circumstances.
Boxing constituted an integral aspect of his family's heritage, as his father was a former boxer, which sparked his initial interest in the sport. With limited financial means available, his first "boxing gloves" were essentially rubber gloves, and he trained by striking a makeshift sand-filled milk sack suspended from a tree in his backyard. His early dedication and discipline were apparent, showcasing his steadfast commitment despite the lack of resources.
González frequently noted that his challenging upbringing and the drive to support his family were pivotal to his emergence as one of Nicaragua's preeminent boxers, allowing him to surmount generational obstacles. This early life experience significantly influenced his aggressive, technically proficient boxing style, as well as his mental resilience both inside and outside of the boxing ring, ultimately contributing to his status as Nicaragua's first four-division world boxing champion and an internationally recognized pound-for-pound star.
Amateur career
González was reportedly undefeated as an amateur, amassing an 88–0 record in official amateur bouts. The highlight of his amateur career was winning the light flyweight gold medal at the 2004 Central American Championships.
Professional career
Light flyweight
Dubbed "Chocolatito", an 18 year old González turned professional as a light flyweight in 2005. In his debut, he fought at the Pharaohs Casino in Managua, Nicaragua against 23 year old Ramon Urbina (0–1, 0 KOs) in a scheduled 4 round fight. González won via knockout in round 2. In his 9th professional fight, González fought Oscar Murillo (11–10, 8 KOs) for the vacant Nicaraguan and WBA Fedecentro light flyweight titles. González won via a 1st-round knockout. In his next fight, González would also win the WBA Fedelatin minimumweight title against José Luis Varela, after which he returned to light flyweight. González won his first 16 fights all by way of knockout, before meeting Hiroshi Matsumoto (17–7–4, 8 KOs) at the Bunka Gym in Yokohama on 14 January 2008. The fight went the full 10 rounds as González picked up the win via unanimous decision (100–90, 100–90 98–92) in his first fight outside his native Nicaragua.
Minimumweight
González vs. Niida
On 15 September 2008, González fought the WBA world minimumweight champion Yutaka Niida (23–1–3, 9 KOs) in Yokohama, Japan in what was only his second fight in the minimumweight division. González scored a technical knockout with 58 seconds left in the fourth round to win the title. He was ahead 30–27 on all the scorecards at the time of stoppage.
After winning the WBA title, González made his debut at flyweight on 13 December 2008, stopping Miguel Tellez (18–11, 6 KOs) in the third round.
Subsequent defenses
He went back to minimumweight on 28 February 2009 to defend his world crown against Francisco Rosas (20–5–2, 12 KOs) which he won by majority decision (116–112, 115–113 & 114–114). This was González's first time fighting in Mexico.
In July 2009, González defended his belt at the World Memorial Hall in Japan against Katsunari Takayama (23–3, 9 KOs). After 12 rounds, the three judges all scored it 118–110 for González. According to CompuBox, González landed 594 punches, the second-highest total ever recorded in a world championship bout.
In January 2010, González defended his title against Ivan Meneses (14–5–1, 8 KOs). Meneses was knocked down in the third round, before the fight was stopped in the next round.
Return to light flyweight
González vacated his minimumweight title after 3 successful defenses, moving back to light flyweight. On his first fight in his new weight class, he defeated Jesus Limones (10–1–1, 4 KOs) via 2nd-round TKO in September 2010.
González vs. Rosas II A 23-year-old González won the vacant WBA interim light flyweight title against Francisco Rosas (21–7–2, 12 KOs) in Tokyo on 24 October 2010. This was the second time they fought, having previously fought in the minimumweight division. González won by KO in the second round. Rosas was knocked down three times in this fight. After his first fight against Francisco Rosas, González said that he fought while being ill with severe stomach disorders, and that was the reason why he looked so sluggish and tired. González was promoted to full champion in February 2011 after Juan Carlos Reveco resigned as light flyweight champion to pursue a flyweight title.
On 22 February 2011 it was announced that González would make his first defence against former champion Manuel Vargas (30–7–1, 15 KOs) on 19 March in Mexico. González was victorious over Vargas via unanimous decision (119–109, 116–112, 116–112) It was announced that González would return to fight in Mexico in July. In June, it was announced that González would fight 31 year old Omar Salado (22–3–2, 13 KOs) on 9 July. González dropped Salado en route to a stoppage win in round 7.
González vs. Soto González's third defense took place at the Marquee Ballroom in MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, on 1 October 2011. In his first fight in the United States, González knocked out Omar Soto (22–7–2, 15 KOs) with a straight right and left uppercut combination 36 seconds into the 2nd round. The title was only on the line for González, as Soto weighed in considerably above the weight limit, at 111 lbs.
On 17 March 2012 González faced Manuel Jimenez (11–2–1, 5 KOs) at Sinaloa, Mexico, defeating Jimenez via 1st-round KO. This was a non-title fight. The original opponent to fight González was former IBF champion Ramon Garcia Hirales (16–3–1, 9 KOs), who initially replaced his twin brother Raúl García.
González vs. Garcia, Estrada On 28 April 2012 González defended his WBA light flyweight title against Ramon Garcia Hirales at the Fairplex in Pomona, California. The fight ended as the count was waived by referee Raul Caiz Jr, after Garcia was knocked down twice in the 4th round. González was ahead 30–27 on all scorecards at the time of stoppage.
González briefly moved up to Flyweight on 6 October 2012 and fought undefeated 23-year-old Stiven Monterrosa (9–0–2, 8 KOs) at the Hotel Holiday Inn in Managua, Nicaragua. Monterrosa was knocked down in rounds 1 and 2. The stoppage seemed questionable as the referee waved the fight off as González was finishing off his combination and landed a punch which didn't appear to hurt Monterrosa. Monterrosa questioned the officials as to why the fight was stopped.
On 27 October 2012 it was announced that González would fight 22 year old flyweight prospect Juan Francisco Estrada (26–1, 20 KOs) at Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena on 17 November. In an entertaining bout, González retained his title via unanimous decision. This was the second time González fought in California and the third time in the United States. The judges scored it (118–110, 116–112, 116–112) all in favour of González.
On 25 May 2013 González fought Colombian Ronald Barrera (30–11–2, 18 KOs) in a non-title bout at super flyweight at the Polideportivo España, Managua, Nicaragua. González won the fight via fifth-round stoppage. Referee Onofre Ramirez stopped the fight after Barrera was knocked down 2 minutes 42 seconds into the round. The fight was originally scheduled for 113 pounds, but both boxers weighed 116 pounds. This led many to question if González would be able to cut back down to 108 pounds.
Flyweight
After 5 successful title defenses at light flyweight, vacated his title to move up to flyweight. On 21 September 2013 he defeated Francisco Rodríguez, Jr. by TKO in the 7th round. He then defeated Oscar Blanquet, Juan Kantun and Philippine Juan Purisima, all by TKO. With this string of fights, González took his professional record to 39–0, with 33 wins coming by way of knockout.Nicaragüense Roman González gana al mexicano Francisco Rodríguez en boxeo
González vs. Yaegashi On 23 June 2014 it was finally confirmed that González would challenge the WBC, The Ring and lineal flyweight champion Akira Yaegashi (20–3, 10 KOs) on 5 September 2014 at the Yoyogi #2 Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan. González won the fight via ninth-round TKO to win the WBC, The Ring and lineal flyweight titles, becoming a boxing triple champion. Yaegashi was knocked down in rounds 3 and 9. Referee Michael Griffin stopped the fight after a final uppercut to Yaegashi. At the time of stoppage the three judges had the fight (80–71 & 79–72 twice) in favour of González.
González vs. Fuentes, Sosa On 19 October 2014 Teiken Boxing Gym announced that González would make a defence of his titles against Rocky Fuentes (35–7–2, 20 KOs) on 22 November at the International Swimming Pool in Yokohama, Japan. The fight was being discussed for over a month. González retained the titles against Fuentes via sixth-round TKO. González fought Valentin Leon in a non-title bout on 28 February 2015, winning via a 3rd-round TKO.
On 24 March 2015 it was announced that González would be making his HBO debut against Mexican boxer Édgar Sosa (51–8, 30 KOs) at The Forum in Inglewood, California, on HBO World Championship Boxing on the Golovkin vs. Monroe undercard on 16 May. González defeated Sosa via a 2nd-round TKO. Sosa was down 3 times in round 2. Sosa made no effort to try to get up after the third knockdown. González earned a career high $200,000 against Sosa. After defeating Sosa, González called for a rematch against Estrada.
González vs. Viloria