El Chocolatito

Pound-for-Pound King Comes Back Stronger

History-making Nicaraguan boxer Román “El Chocolatito” González gets a taste of the mat but resurrects his winning streak with a renewed faith

Román “Chocolatito” González embodies the paradox of a beautiful and punishing sport. 5’3”, 114 pounds, with a voice that purrs Spanish. Roaring predatory skill inside the ring. 47 wins. Two losses.

Once considered to be the world’s greatest pound-for-pound fighter, he suffered a controversial first defeat during an incredible March 2017 battle at Madison Square Garden and a subsequent crushing knockout loss to the same fighter six months later. Boxing pundits telegraphed his demise during the year-long hiatus to-follow. But with a clear head and a recent high-profile knockout win, he’s back chasing another championship belt.

When we met, Román brandished his fist only for a friendly bump over our mutual love of futbol — the one sport he admits to enjoying besides the “sweet science” that defines him. He followed his father Luis into boxing, turning pro at 18, to fight his way out of the proverbial corner and pull his family from poverty. At age 31, Román has done that successfully. 39 knockouts have earned him championships in four different weight classes through the years, and he joined his late mentor and former trainer, Alexis Arguello as one of only two Nicaraguans to hold belts in at least three weight classes.  

Luis, whose nickname “Chocolate” birthed the derivative, sweet moniker of his son, leads his training team. Arnulfo Obando, his previous trainer passed away at age 53, just months before the Costa Rica pre-fight training camp that preceded his first loss (“very difficult” Román admits).

Training camps are a long-standing tradition in the sport, giving fighters an opportunity to retreat from the spotlight’s distractions, sharpen skills, and nurture spiritual well-being. The latter is particularly relevant for Román, who believes strongly in himself, but often speaks of his reliance on a higher power.

“First and foremost, God is where I go to get that strength,” he said when asked about his pre-fight mindset.

Speaking to Román about preparation also highlights some unique intricacies of the boxer’s mentality. Athletes in most other sports compete nearly daily or weekly. A bad day yields a loss, but also an immediate opportunity to get back on the field to address and correct it. Kobe Bryant once famously left Staples Center after a season-ending litany of misfires and went directly to  Palisades Charter’s gym to shoot jump shots all night.

But in professional boxing, there is extensive preparation, followed by a singular massive crescendo and a long period of rest. Fighters hope to heal and then wait for another opponent — another payday. The do-or-die rawness of this “all-in” scenario is equally frightening and fascinating.

On the day before a bout, I asked him about this: How do you calm yourself down? Do you feel at peace today?  

“What helps me to regroup is knowing that I’ve trained,” he responded. “I feel calm because I feel I’ve put in the work.”

Despite the pressure of fighting in front of massive crowds and chasing the sport’s giants, he does genuinely exude this tranquility. Román steps into a ring in peak condition, knowing his capabilities and prepared to fight for the pride of his mentors, family, and country. The actions he takes are in his capable gloved hands. The results are in God’s.

Román also tells me about the moments in the arena tunnel before he fights — where privacy and quiet prevail one final time before he’s met with a deafening wall of spectator noise on the way to the ring.

“You’ve gotten where you wanted,” is the message he relays to himself. “The fight that you’ve been thinking about is here, so go and get it.”

There is a directness in his answers, revealing the simplicity of his approach. His Instagram feed (@chocolatito87) bears the charming smile of a champion, but Román doesn’t rely on the requisite maxed-out bravado of the typical pro-fighter-cum-showman. He says he prefers to respect the other fighter and the sport, setting a good example for the kids that follow him. It makes sense coming from a once-shy, impoverished kid, who found empowerment in his own furious hands.

In the aforementioned first upset loss, Román was undone by a nasty, penalized hit which yielded a gushing cut above his eye, impairing his vision increasingly throughout the fight. Despite all of his preparation, landing 150+ more punches than his opponent and winning the fight by most accounts, the night wasn’t his. Neither, any longer, are the belt and flawless record. But his September 2018 comeback win was as fast and sweet as the losses were brutal. He wants to ride that victory momentum and be back in the ring soon.

In reflecting on his career, Román once told me that he never imagined he would be where he is now, but all the praise and accolades are just bigger motivation to keep going. He says he’s carrying on his late trainer’s legacy of discipline — sticking with it. His challenges serve as new motivation to keep his faith and move forward.  Photos showcasing the humble grin and sweat of a man feeling blessed once again flood his social media feeds. Light on talk but born for the fight, Román “Chocolatito” González is ready once again to run out into that rising roar of sound, those flashing lights on the other end of the tunnel.