Roman Gonzalez is relishing the prospect of fighting in his home country of Nicaragua for the first time in more than nine years.

“Chocolatito”, 37, on Friday fights Rober Barrera at Polideportivo Alexis Arguello, in Managua. He has fought 13 times since defeating Valentin Leon in February 2015, also in his home city; his run of fighting regularly in Nicaragua ended in 2008, since when there have been times he has been considered by some the finest fighter in the world.

Colombia’s Barrera is 31 years old and a more lightly regarded opponent than Gonzalez has long been accustomed to being matched with.

If there was a time Gonzalez was on course to be retired by 2024, there again exists potentially lucrative match-ups that he can secure in the event of victory, and speaking to Boxing News he recently said: “This is a historic fight after so much time without me fighting in my own country. 

“It is hard because planning a boxing event in Nicaragua is something really complicated, because it costs a lot of money. I hope to give the people of Nicaragua an excellent fight. I’m so happy because all the families in Nicaragua can see me fight again. Most of the people in Nicaragua don’t have the opportunity to see me live.”

On Thursday, Gonzalez weighed in at 116¾lbs. Barrera was narrowly heavier, at 117lbs.

“I’m feeling motivated and happy to finally return home,” he also said.