By Steve Kim

On the night of March 18th at the famed Madison Square Garden in New York City, both Roman Gonzalez (46-0, 38 KOs) and Carlos Cuadras (35-1-1, 27 KOs) - who engaged in an entertaining back-and-forth affair this past September - will be in action on the Gennady Golovkin-Danny Jacobs HBO pay-per-view undercard.

However, they will not be having a rematch as originally planned. Gonzalez, the reigning WBC super flyweight champion will be facing Wisaksil Wangek from Thailand, while Cuadras is taking on David Carmona.

Rudy Hernandez, who trained Cuadras for that fight in September (and has worked the corner of Gonzalez in the past) believes that the tenor of that initial match-up between the two dissuaded 'Chocolatito' from going through with the rematch immediately.

"Of course [the first fight being tough is why he delayed the rematch]," Hernandez stated during a recent media gathering that was staged for Cuadras at the Palm Restaurant near downtown Los Angeles.

"Had it not been as tough as it was and if Gonzalez felt he could win fairly easy he'd give him a rematch right away bout I think it's a good business move for him. The fight with Cuadras will always be there. I'm assuming that him fighting the Thai kid will be just another payday."

The WBC has mandated that the winners of the two fights on March 18th face each other next.

Hernandez says that his fighter being focused for the task at hand versus Carmona will not be difficult.

"I think he can, he's the type of guy that yesterday is yesterday and today is today and he's looking forward to what comes tomorrow," explained Hernandez.

"Focus will not be an issue, he's at the gym, he's working out, he's just a little bit past his weight but nothing that he can't handle. He usually walks around at 128, 130 but he drops weight pretty quick."

Steve Kim is the news editor for krikya360.com