Chocolatito to return December 23 in Japan

Former four-division world champion Roman Gonzalez will be back in action after a 15-month layoff on December 23rd in Japan against Diomel Diocos, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

“We are very happy to be fighting in Roman’s second home of Japan. He feels excited to be in the country of his father figure, Mr. Akihiko Honda of Teiken Promotions,” Carlos Blandon, Gonzalez’s manager, told ESPN on Tuesday. “We felt this tuneup fight is necessary in order to land a title shot next year. But nevertheless, we are very focused on the challenge ahead this Dec. 23.”

“Roman is highly motivated. He is looking sharp and his knee is back to normal or even better,” Blandon said. “Roman is eager to showcase that his knee is in great condition after surgery and that with God’s help he will be the [junior bantamweight] king once again. We understand that it takes one step at a time, but he is more than ready.”