Carlos Cuadras deserves better. In fact, Cuadras may be owed an apology.

In the lead-up to his fight against THE RING magazine/WBC flyweight champion Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez on Saturday night, which takes place at The Forum in Inglewood, California, Cuadras has been viewed by many as the opponent.

That may be difficult to understand, considering the Mexico City resident holds a world title belt and has not lost a fight since turning pro in 2008.

That is 36 fights. Unbeaten in all of them, including one draw.

Cuadras (35-0-1, 27 knockouts) will be defending his WBC junior bantamweight title on Saturday night, even though he is a significant underdog, according to sports books in Las Vegas.

The fight, including the rematch between junior middleweight Jesus Soto Karass and Yoshihiro Kamegai, will air live on HBO, beginning at 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m.

If all this has bothered Cuadras, he has not shown it thus far. He understands the fight game as Gonzalez is the bigger name and the A-side in this promotion.

Instead, he has been enjoying the brighter spotlight that is the promotion behind his Saturday’s bout. Cuadras has been all smiles, exuding confidence whether at the kickoff press conference or media workouts.

“I’m in the best place I could be in Los Angeles,” said Cuadras, who trained for the fight at the nearby Maywood Gym. “Chocolatito and I are going into the ring and we are going to give the fans a great show.

“Fighting at the Forum, where many legends of boxing have fought, I’m very happy. I’m going through the big door, fighting on HBO, on a great card, sharing the big stage with Gennady Golovkin (and Gonzalez).”

Cuadras brought laughter to those assembled at the kickoff press conference in late July when he pulled out a bottle of Nesquik chocolate milk from his jacket in front of Gonzalez.

It is this type of attitude that has intrigued boxing fans when it comes to the fighter from Mexico City: Playful but not disrespectful.

“We’re friends. We’re colleagues at Teiken Promotions. This is a sport but the friendship ends in the ring. Brotherhood ends. It’s going to be two warriors facing each other for glory but, outside the ring, it is friendship.”

While the run-up has been playful, many pick Gonzalez to win. But again, is Gonzalez that much better overall as a fighter? Cuadras has solid wins, including a wide unanimous decision over Luis Concepcion, in recent fights.

Gonzalez is moving up in weight to 115 pounds. Will his power carry over when he faces Cuadras? Could Cuadras’ ring generalship and awkwardness give Gonzalez fits?

Whatever the reasons may be, Cuadras believes in himself. But according to him, do not misinterpret ability with confidence.

“Confidence is never good. I’m just very sure of my work, what I’m able to do in the ring and what I have in my fists. I just have to be ready in the ring. I have to fight and be at my best.”

“I want to be the best Carlos Cuadras who steps inside a ring and I’m fighting the best boxer I’ll have faced in my career.  Nothing is written. We’re going to write history (on Sept. 10). I know how to box. I know how to brawl. We’ll fight the way the fight presents itself.”

Francisco A. Salazar has written for RingTV since October of 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper, BoxingScene.com and Knockout Nation. He can be reached by email at [email protected] or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing.

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