Chocolatito set for July 12 comeback against Barrera

Roman Gonzalez is reportedly looking to challenge for a bantamweight title by year’s end in Japan

Four-division champion Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez is officially set for his first ring appearance since December 2022, announcing via press conference that he’ll meet Rober Barrera on July 12th in his native Managua, Nicaragua.

The bout is reportedly meant to lead into a year-end bantamweight title shot in Japan and as such will be held at a 117-pound catchweight.

Colombia’s Barrera (27-5, 17 KO) is, well, the sort of opponent an undersized super flyweight in his mid-30s would use to shake off rust. He’s picked up a boatload of wins over low-level countrymen while falling short against noteworthy figures like Carlos Canizales, Ryoichi Taguchi, Luis Concepcion, and Muhammad Waseem. He did take Canizales to a split decision (in a 2015 fight that was apparently scheduled for 11 rounds) and was ahead on the cards when “Nica” stopped him in 2020, but doesn’t figure to pose any sort of threat to Gonzalez (50-4, 41 KO).

Still, it’s good to see “Chocolatito” back in the ring at all. ESPN KnockOut will be carrying the broadcast, so hopefully ESPN+ will do the same for viewers in the States.