This comprehensive guide will show you how to watch the highly anticipated boxing matchup between Roman "Chocolatito" Gonzalez and Julio Cesar "El Rey" Martinez live online.
On March 5, 2022, these two elite junior bantamweights will finally meet in the ring at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego. The main card starts at 8:30 PM ET with the main event expected around 11 PM ET.
Fighter Profiles and Analysis
Let‘s take a closer look at each fighter‘s background, accomplishments, and strengths heading into this bout:
Roman "Chocolatito" Gonzalez
Record: 50-3-0 (41 KOs)
Height: 5‘3"
Reach: 64 inches
Stance: Orthodox
Age: 34
Nationality: Nicaraguan
Division: Junior Bantamweight
Roman Gonzalez is considered one of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world today. The 34-year-old is a four-division world champion having won titles at strawweight, light flyweight, flyweight and junior bantamweight (also known as super flyweight).
Some key facts and stats on Chocolatito:
- Currently holds WBA light flyweight world title
- 90% KO ratio (41 KOs in 50 wins)
- Has won world titles in four weight classes
- Longest reign as light flyweight champion (8 defenses)
- Has not been knocked out in 53 fight career
- Ranked #2 P4P by The Ring and BoxRec
Gonzalez has an aggressive style relying on combination punching, body attacks, and pressure. He has excellent hand speed and throws punches in volume. His footwork allows him to cut off the ring and trap opponents.
While not a one-punch knockout artist, Roman overwhelms his opponents with his non-stop offense. He is also an expert body puncher, breaking down his opponents until they can no longer withstand his punishment.
At 5‘3", Chocolatito is a bit small for the 115-pound junior bantamweight division and often gives up reach and height to his opponents. However, he has shown the ability to adapt his style and close the distance effectively against taller foes.
Gonzalez rebounded from the only 3 losses of his career by winning his last 4 fights against quality opposition. This battle with Julio Cesar Martinez will likely be his toughest challenge since those defeats.
Julio Cesar "El Rey" Martinez
Record: 18-1-0 (14 KOs)
Height: 5‘2"
Reach: 66 inches
Stance: Orthodox
Age: 27
Nationality: Mexican
Division: Junior Bantamweight
Julio Cesar Martinez is the current WBC flyweight world champion and one of the rising stars in boxing. The charismatic Mexican is moving up from 112 pounds to 115 for his shot against Roman Gonzalez.
Key facts and stats on Martinez:
- Has 18 wins, 14 by knockout (77% KO ratio)
- Won WBC flyweight title in 2019. Has made 4 defenses.
- Suffered only defeat in 2nd pro fight by decision
- 14 straight wins since lone career loss
- Knocked out Cristofer Rosales to win WBC title
- Considered a power puncher but also has speed
Martinez likes to fight at a high pace, pressuring opponents and unleashing fast combinations. He possesses excellent hand speed and power for the lighter divisions. His most dangerous weapon is the left hook.
The 27-year-old switches between orthodox and southpaw stances to keep opponents off balance. His footwork allows him to cut off the ring and trap foes against the ropes. Martinez has shown a proven ability to find openings and land power shots.
The biggest knock against him is the tendency to get reckless at times which leaves him open defensively. This is something he can‘t afford against a seasoned veteran like Roman Gonzalez.
However, Martinez is 13 years younger, naturally bigger and will have a height and reach advantage in this matchup. This will be the biggest test of his promising career as he steps up to face Chocolatito.
Tale of the Tape
How They Match Up
This is a classic bout between an aging veteran who relies on technique and experience against a younger upstart with speed and power.
Chocolatito‘s Path to Victory:
Gonzalez needs to use his superior boxing IQ and footwork to control the pace and distance of the fight. He is the more polished fighter and must establish his jab while avoiding the power left hook of Martinez.
Roman‘s best chance is to attack the body, slow Martinez down, and take over in the later rounds. He also needs to lure the aggressive Martinez in and counter effectively.
Martinez‘s Path to Victory:
With the advantages in height, reach and power, Martinez needs to establish his left hook early and not let Chocolatito get comfortable. He can‘t simply rely on his power.
Julio Cesar needs to use angles and lateral movement to take away the offensive strengths of Gonzalez. If he trades power shots recklessly, he plays right into Roman‘s hands.
By avoiding wild exchanges and keeping his work rate high, Martinez has a good chance to outpoint Chocolatito or score a late TKO. But he must fight a disciplined fight and not brawl.
This is a close fight on paper. Based on their styles and career trajectories, many experts are favoring the younger Martinez in this matchup.
How to Watch Gonzalez vs Martinez Online
Broadcast: DAZN PPV
Date: Saturday, March 5
Location: Pechanga Arena, San Diego
Start Time: 8:30 PM ET
Main Event: 11:00 PM ET (approx)
There are a number of online options for streaming Roman Gonzalez vs Julio Cesar Martinez depending on your location:
United States
The PPV fight can be ordered directly through DAZN for $59.99 in the United States. DAZN requires a subscription + PPV purchase to watch the fight.
DAZN offers a 1-month free trial for new subscribers. You can sign up for the free trial and then purchase the PPV fight.
Other Countries
In Canada, UK and other select regions, the Gonzalez vs Martinez fight is included at no extra cost with your DAZN monthly subscription. Check availability by country here.
Mexico
TV Azteca has the broadcast rights in Mexico. Check your local TV listings for channel details. No PPV purchase required.
Streaming Online
Many boxing and sports streaming sites will likely have free live streams of the full fight. However, the legality and reliability of these sites is questionable.
We recommend using a quality VPN for best results regardless of where you stream the fight from.
Why You Should Use a VPN
There are a few reasons why using a Virtual Private Network is recommended for streaming Roman Gonzalez vs Julio Cesar Martinez:
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Bypass Geographic Restrictions – VPNs allow you to change your virtual location, so you can access region-locked content. For example, if you‘re abroad and DAZN is blocked where you are.
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Enhanced Privacy – Your online activity is hidden from your internet provider when using a VPN. It encrypts all traffic providing anonymity.
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Improved Streaming Speeds – VPN servers are optimized for streaming with fast bandwidth. This results in a smoother viewing experience.
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Enhanced Security – Encryption and advanced security features in a quality VPN protect you from malware, hackers, and phishing.
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Access Extra Content – Some sports streaming sites and TV channels are only available behind a VPN "firewall".
We recommend Surfshark VPN due to their blazing speeds, strict no-logging policy, and unlimited device support. The image below shows speed test results from Surfshark:
Follow the simple step-by-step guide below to get setup with Surfshark:
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Select a Surfshark plan (monthly or annual)
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Create a Surfshark account
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Download and install the Surfshark app on your device
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Launch the app and log in with your account
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Connect to a server in a supported country like the US or Canada
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Launch DAZN (or other streaming site) and enjoy the fight!
Surfshark also offers a 30-day money back guarantee, so you can try it out risk-free.
For more details, please refer to our complete Surfshark VPN setup guide.
Roman Gonzalez vs Julio Cesar Martinez Fight Card
In addition to the main event, there is an excellent undercard featuring top contenders and prospects:
Main Card (DAZN PPV 8:30 PM ET):
- Roman Gonzalez vs. Julio Cesar Martinez
- Mauricio Lara vs. Emilio Sanchez
- Souleymane Cissokho vs. Roberto Valenzuela Jr.
- Diego Pacheco vs. Gen Pllana
Prelims (DAZN 6 PM ET):
- Aaron Aponte vs. Fernando Diaz
- Anthony Herrera vs. Pablo Cruz
- Ricardo Valdovinos vs. Daniel Najera
- Jousce Gonzalez vs. Jose Martinez
Betting Odds and Prediction
Julio Cesar Martinez initially opened as the favorite but the odds have shifted towards Roman Gonzalez as the fight approaches.
As of March 3, the best boxing betting sites have Gonzalez as a narrow favorite at -134 odds, implying a 56% chance of victory. Martinez is the underdog at +104 odds (49% chance).
The oddsmakers seem to be favoring Chocolatito‘s edge in experience and boxing craft against the younger power-puncher.
Latest Odds:
Roman Gonzalez: -134 (20/27)
Julio Cesar Martinez: +104 (21/20)
Over 9.5 Rounds: -139
Under 9.5 Rounds: +102
*Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook. Subject to change.
This looks like an extremely close and competitive fight on paper. Both boxers have paths to victory as outlined earlier in this preview.
In the end, I‘m going to lean towards Julio Cesar Martinez finding a way to win. I believe his advantages in size and power will be the difference against Chocolatito at this stage of his career.
But Roman Gonzalez has already achieved so much in boxing and cannot be counted out. Look for him to put forth a valiant effort as always.
Recent Fight Analysis and Fallout
To understand the significance of this matchup, let‘s compare it to some recent junior bantamweight title fights:
Jerwin Ancajas vs Fernando Daniel Martinez (Feb 2022):
Veteran champion Jerwin Ancajas (33-1-2) was stunned by the ninth round KO upset loss to Argentine brawler Fernando Martinez (14-0). This opened up the division since Ancajas had made 10 straight title defenses over 5+ years.
Juan Francisco Estrada vs Roman Gonzalez 2 (March 2021):
In a 2021 Fight of the Year contender, Juan Francisco Estrada edged Roman Gonzalez in a hotly contested majority decision. Fans were calling for a trilogy due to the razor close nature of the fight.
Roman Gonzalez vs Khalid Yafai (Feb 2020):
Chocolatito won by ninth round TKO to capture the WBA junior bantamweight title from Khalid Yafai. This victory returned Gonzalez to a world champion after losing his belts in 2017.
Martinez and Estrada now hold the WBC and WBA titles respectively. The winner of Gonzalez-Martinez could be in line to face Estrada in a title unification blockbuster later in 2022.
The junior bantamweight division is red hot right now with fresh matchups and new champions. This fight will have major implications on sorting out one of boxing‘s best divisions.
Quotes and Analysis from Promoters
"This fight is guaranteed to provide nonstop action from start to finish. Martinez brings power and speed, Roman brings experience and heart. It’s the perfect recipe for a can’t miss battle." – Oscar De La Hoya, Golden Boy Promotions
"Roman Gonzalez is a true warrior and Mexico vs. Nicaragua is a rivalry primed for an epic battle. Fireworks are in store on March 5." – Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Boxing
"We have two of the best junior bantamweights in the world willing to put their unbeaten records on the line. I think Roman will pull it off, but Martinez is dangerous and you can‘t count him out." – Bernard Hopkins
"Size matters in boxing and Martinez has the reach advantage. If Roman gets caught by one of those left hooks, it could be an early night. I think the Mexican star gets it done in 8 rounds." – Sergio Mora, DAZN Analyst
"Chocolatito‘s skills are still sharp but his ability to take a punch at age 34 has to be a concern against a devastating power-puncher like Martinez. I foresee Julio Cesar scoring a TKO in the mid to late rounds." – Chris Mannix, DAZN Analyst
Clearly, this is shaping up to be a can‘t miss fight that fans and media are buzzing about. The boxing world will be glued to the edge of their seats on March 5th!
The Last Word
Roman Gonzalez vs Julio Cesar Martinez has all the makings of an instant classic. The young lion taking on the aging veteran. Mexico vs Nicaragua. A perfect clash of styles.
Chocolatito will leave every ounce of heart and soul in the ring. El Rey will be gunning for a statement knockout win.
Buckle up for what promises to be an action-packed prizefight between two of the world‘s best junior bantamweights!
Now you know how to watch the Roman Gonzalez vs Julio Cesar Martinez fight live from anywhere online.
Simply sign up for DAZN or use Surfshark VPN to unlock access and stream the fight in HD quality.
Enjoy the fight and leave a comment with your Round by Round predictions!
