By Darrell Williams

The day is almost nigh; September 15th, this day has been notched on every calendar of every sports fan in Nicaragua since the 2 minute destruction of Eriberto Gejon to secure the mandatory shot at the 105 lb title.
Roman ‘Chocolate’ Gonzalez 20-0(18ko) the Nicaraguan heir apparent, to the legendary Alexis Arguello, steps into the ring in Tokyo, Japan, to fight for the title that has long seemed his destiny.
The way to the crown could not be tougher though.
The Japanese champion Yutaka Niida 23-1(9ko) is as good as they come. Unbeaten in six years, Niida is the classic boxer, puncher and could give the much less experienced Gonzalez nightmares.
Niida will be roared on by a cauldron of fanatical home town fans and Gonzalez will have to do everything right to avoid the same fate as his friend and stable mate Jose Alfaro, who arrived in Japan earlier this year with a title but left on the seat of his pants.
How will the fight go?
Look for Niida to try to control the fight from a distance, Gonzalez possesses tremendous power in both hands and is capable of putting the lights out with one shot from either hand.
Don’t expect to see the Gonzalez that we have become accustomed to in Managua, looking to trade at every opportunity, willing to match his power against yours. This will be the Gonzalez that destroyed Gejon in Tokyo; carefully hunting his man down, cutting off the ring and then unleashing the power that Niida has probably never felt before.
Gonzalez could have waited longer for his chance and took an easier way to a title but great fighters don’t do that and definitely not great Nicaraguan ones.
It’s not Oscar de la Hoya v Manny Paquaio but ask any fight fan of the smaller weight classes, this is the one we have all been waiting for.
When the bell rings at 5.am on Monday morning September 15th, it’s going to be Mano-a- mano, put up or shut up; strap yourself in, it’s going to be one hell of a ride.