Juan Francisco Estrada (44-3, 28 KOs) will take on Jesse Bam Rodriguez (19-0, 12 KOs) at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona, live on DAZN on June 29 for Estrada’s WBC and Ring Magazine super flyweight titles. As we build up to fight night, Big Fight Weekend are bringing you the last three fights of Estrada.
The Last Three Opponents of Juan Francisco Estrada
Roman Gonzalez III
Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Roman Chocolatito Gonzalez III was the razor-close ending this legendary trilogy deserved. “El Gallo” started well, fighting off the back foot and putting his shots together nicely. Gonzalez was second to everything in the first few rounds and did not start exerting effective pressure until the middle rounds.
As the fight progressed, Chocolatito began to smother the work of his opponent, working well on the inside, which helped swing the fight before Estrada had a strong twelfth round, ensuring he was first to the punch, which helped him take the majority decision. The scorecards read 114-114, 116-112 and 115-113 for El Gallo.
Argi Cortes
Before the trilogy fight with Chocolatito, Estrada returned to the ring to face Argi Cortes at the Centro de Usos Multiples, Hermosillo on September 3, 2022. The win was the most important thing – and the Mexican got what he needed to ensure the trilogy with Gonzalez happened.
Despite a 17-month layoff, Estrada started well, establishing the pace and putting his shots together. His combination punches and movement was sharp, and this helped him knock Cortes down in round seven. His accuracy was impressive, considering his inactivity. Cortes had his success towards the back end of the fight – but the Mexican legend navigated himself safely through to the final bell, winning by unanimous decision, with the scorecards reading 115-112×2 and 114-113. The judge’s scorecards showed how hard Estrada had to work for this victory.
Roman Gonzalez II
On March 13, 2021, Estrada and Gonzalez met in their rematch at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. El Gallo started well and set the pace, landing the more meaningful punches. Estrada looked composed on the front and back foot, but the pressure from Gonzalez ensured he was still in this fight.
Gonzalez was seizing the momentum with his pressure and making Estrada uncomfortable. The Mexican undoubtedly had the faster hands, but Chocolatito was relentless and was putting his shots together at the right moments, which made Estrada reluctant to let his hands go. Estrada‘s punching seemed to have the greater effect, but Gonzalez was still havingjoy – keeping the scorecards close. Estrada’s quick hands were more eye-catching in the championship rounds, but the Nicaraguan fighter is brilliant at walking his opponents down and letting his lands go. El Gallo‘s cleaner work was enough as the judge’s scorecards read 115-113 to Gonzalez, with the other two cards for Estrada reading 117-111 and 115-113, giving El Gallo the split decision win.
More must-reads: