It’s a cracking-looking main event at Footprint Centre in Phoenix, Arizona this Saturday evening, as Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez attempts to regain the WBC super flyweight title against the teak-tough Mexican, Juan Francisco Estrada.
Matchroom promote Estrada vs Rodriguez, and DAZN televise this bill live.
Estrada (44-3, 28 KOs) has been in plenty of thrillers over the years, and first saw world title action way back in 2012, losing on points to Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez for the WBA light flyweight crown.
After that loss, Estrada took the WBA (Super) and WBO flyweight belts from Brian Viloria, and defended five times before moving up and dropping a majority decision to Srisaket Sor Rungvisai for the WBC super flyweight title in February 2018.
‘El Gallo’ avenged that loss a year later on the cards, won the belt, and has won eight on the spin, adding the WBA (Super) strap in 2021 with a revenge split decision win against Roman Gonzalez. Gonzalez was Estrada’s last opponent, with the WBC super flyweight title now vacant, and he made it 2-1 in the trilogy with a majority nod.
He next faces the dangerous Rodriguez (19-0, 12 KOs), a Texan that operated at flyweight before taking a late notice chance for the WBC title a division upwards in February 2022.
There, he dropped and handily outscored Carlos Cuadras, and defended twice, including an eighth round stoppage of Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, and then dropped down to take the vacant WBO flyweight title, outpointing Cristian Gonzalez Hernandez. Rodriguez was last seen last December added the IBF title to his WBO bauble with a masterful ninth round retirement of Sunny Edwards.
DOWN GOES EDWARDS!!!
AND IT’S OVER AT THE END OF THE ROUND!
BAM RODRIGUEZ! 👑👑 @210bam #RodriguezEdwards live on @DAZNBoxing pic.twitter.com/ECU0qshrtv
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) December 17, 2023
Prediction: This is a really good match-up, and it could well take place in the pocket, and in a phone-booth like war. I think Rodriguez can outlast Estrada, and take a close points win.
Edwards looks to bounce back:
The aforementioned Sunny Edwards (20-1, 4 KOs) returns on this bill after the Rodriguez defeat, and he faces a tricky twelve round test against Adrian Curiel (24-5-1, 5 KOs). Curiel wiped out Sivenathi Nontshinga in November last year in two rounds to win the IBF light flyweight title, but was halted in ten in a rematch in February.
Prediction: Both aren’t noted punchers, but Edwards can take victory on points.
Ali steps up to world title contention:
Ramla Ali (9-1, 2 KOs) goes for world title glory, as she challenges Yamileth Mercado (23-3, 5 KOs) for her WBC super bantamweight title.
Ali was knocked out in eight by Julissa Alejandra Guzman in June last year, but took a points win in an immediate rematch less than five months later.
Mercado has defended this title six times, the last a landslide points win against Linsa Laura Lecca in her native Mexico, and I think her experience may win the day in this one, and I lean towards her retaining on the cards.
Further undercard preview:
A sole eight rounder takes place at bantamweight, where Gabriel Muratalla (11-0, 6 KOs) can stop Carlos Fontes (23-3-1, 19 KOs) inside schedule.
In six rounders, welterweight prospect Fabian Rojo (8-0, 6 KOs) should have enough for a stoppage win over Daniel Gonzalez (5-1, 2 KOs), and at super lightweight, Leonardo Rubalcava (7-0, 3 KOs) can take an early win against William Flenoy (3-3-1, 1 KO).
