When he last stood distraught inside the Desert Diamond Arena, finding himself again on the wrong side of the decision, many believed that was the last time the boxing world would witness Roman Gonzalez. A long layoff of 19 months also seemed to have solidified the belief. But the Nicaraguan boxer returns to the squared circle. That’s not it. He still harbors the intention of going against the best, including Jesse Rodriguez, as long as one condition gets fulfilled.

After dropping a second fight to Juan Francisco Estrada in December 2022, Gonzalez, 36, took some time off the ring. He is now pushing for his last hurrah as he moves up to the 118-pound division and faces Rober Barrera in his homecoming. While the fans will surely enjoy the former 4-division champion’s return, they are left wondering whether he moved up too early and whether they would have been blessed with a match between him and ‘Bam’. It seems Gonzalez is also interested, but he has one condition when he sits at the negotiation table.

In a conversation with Levi Luna, ‘Chocolatito’ pointed out that anything was possible, as they both had the same promoter. He added, “It depends on negotiation. If they pay me well, I will face ‘Bam’ and go all out… I still have good cartridges left.”

The money has to be right for Gonzalez to put his body on the line against the newly crowned WBC super flyweight champion. If not, then he can continue with his hot pursuit of a title in his fifth-division. Will the 51-4 record holder be able to do it by the end of this year? The fans and the boxing community will soon find out. But where does it leave Rodriguez? Wouldn’t he have enjoyed another bout with a future HoFer? The American fighter has his eyes set on his new target: adding more belts to his waist.

Jesse Rodriguez: Charting unification route at 115

Rodriguez, 24, is a brutal force of nature, who stirred the 115-pound division, as he demolished Estrada. Despite finding himself at the top of the division and WBC and the Ring gold straps on his shoulder, he wants the WBA title next. But the San Antonio native and the fans might have to wait for a while as he has a rematch clause with Estrada.

“I’m here at 115 pounds for two or three fights. I have a rematch clause with Estrada. So if he wants to run it back, we can. If not, then I would like the winner of Kazuto Ioka-Fernando Daniel Martinez,” Rodriguez declared. Rodriguez has his options open and if fate would have it, he might end up moving up to 118 early next year and Gonzalez could be waiting to welcome him to a new challenge. Will that happen? Surely, absurd things have happened in boxing, haven’t they?

What do you make of this comment by Roman Gonzalez? Would you like to see him go up against Jesse Rodriguez? Let us know in the comments below.