A proper trilogy fight takes place at the Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona this Saturday, as Juan Francisco Estrada and Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez meet for a third time, with the vacant WBC super flyweight title at stake.
DAZN televise Estrada vs Gonzalez live.
The pair met in 2012 and again in 2021. Nicaragua’s Gonzalez (51-3, 43 KOs) took their original meeting for the WBA light flyweight title, winning handily on the cards, but Mexico’s Estrada (43-3, 28 KOs) added the WBA super flyweight title to his WBC strap in March last year in a thrilling split decision victory.
Both have been out once since their sequel.
‘Chocolatito’ widely outscored Julio Cesar Martinez in March, while his rival dropped Anti Cortes in round seven on the way to a tight points win in September.
Prediction: This should be nothing less than another all-out war, and the pair should go toe-to-toe as is tradition. Gonzalez has looked rejuvenated in recent times, and I lean towards him getting the nod, possibly via tight split verdict.
Martinez defends WBC crown
The all-action, aforementioned Julio Cesar Martinez (18-2, 14 KOs) drops back down in weight to defend his WBC flyweight title for a fifth time, with Spain’s inexperienced Samuel Carmona (8-0, 4 KOs) his replacement opponent, following original foe McWilliams Arroyo’s withdrawal.
Martinez and Arroyo were set to renew their rivalry in a rematch following their no contest last November, however Arroyo pulled out through injury.
‘El Rey’ was over the super flyweight limit against Gonzalez, and was firmly second best.
Carmona has never been past ten rounds and only been that distance once. The 26-year-old was last out in October, outscoring Moises Mojica over six.
Prediction: Martinez should retain early.
Velazquez clashes with Rosales
Joselito Velazquez (15-0-1, 10 KOs) steps up in class, and the Mexican faces former WBC flyweight champion Cristofer Rosales (34-6, 21 KOs) over ten at flyweight.
Prediction: Velazquez can defeat a slightly faded Rosales on the scorecards.
Remaining Undercard
Diego Pacheco (16-0, 13 KOs) should also remain unbeaten, and he can defend his WBC United States super middleweight title with another early win, this time against Ricardo Adrian Luna (24-8-2, 16 KOs) in a match set for ten.
Hot prospect Marc Castro (8-0, 6 KOs) is also on the bill, and the he should win inside schedule in his eight rounder against Maickol Lopez Villagrana (16-3, 8 KOs) at super featherweight.
2020 Olympic Silver medalist, Beatriz Ferreira (1-0) fought three minute rounds on her debut, and she can outscore Carisse Brown (7-2, 4 KOs) over six two minute rounds at super featherweight.
Super flyweight Anthony Herrera (3-0-1, 2 KOs) should also taste victory on the cards over four against Juan Sequeira (1-1).
