Written by Shaun Brown
THERE are battles that should be commemorated, and then there are battles that should be counted down for days.
When Juan Francisco Estrada vs Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez it was officially announced on March 28, 93 days away. Tonight, the wait is over.
The excitement of the super-flyweight pairing – with Estrada’s WBC title at stake – comes from the belief that both men’s fighting styles will ignite a spark and explode into a ‘fight of the year’ rivalry.
Both men can do a little bit of everything, but in the case of Rodriguez (19-0, 12 KOs), he can look amazing because of it. The 24-year-old took just two years to create a legacy that includes victories over Carlos Cuadras, Srisaket Sor Rungvisai and Sunny Edwards. The first two may have been fighting at the wrong end of their careers, but Rodriguez’s showing against Edwards proved that in a 50-50 fight, the odds were actually in his favor.
Rodriguez could be a nightmare for his Mexican opponent on June 29. Getting hit from angles, turning his opponent around, and throwing blistering combinations might be too much for ‘Gallo’ to handle at 34 years old and 48 years old.th to fight. Estrada (44-3, 28 KOs) will also need to face a raucous pro-Rodriguez crowd at the Footprint Center in Phoenix – the site of Bam’s victory against Cuadras – and deal with 18 months away from the ring.
Estrada doesn’t see it as dysfunctional, however, as he discussed in the Matchroom documentary ‘Make The Days Count’. Instead, he sees it as work, spending time at the gym and at home with his three children. But going from a life of exercise and family to dealing with a legendary assassin is a bold move as a champion.
Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez, the last man to share the ring with Estrada, knocked out Rodriguez three times during the competition’s camp on June 29. Estrada-Chocolatito III produced the former with a nice punch back and forth until the contest. In the second half of the fight, the 35-year-old Gonzalez supported his man by hitting hard to get himself into the fight.
Juan Francisco Estrada and Roman Gonzalez (Melina Pizano/Game Room)
It’s hard to imagine Rodriguez doing anything but getting off to a good start and taking the fight to a man 10 years his senior. The younger of the two needs to find out what Estrada has in the tank early on by putting him under a lot of pressure. Estrada’s answer will therefore be an indication of how this fight will play out.
In the first six rounds, it should be competitive, with Estrada doing everything he can to stay in the fight which will make for some exciting exchanges. All of this effort could take its toll, however, and with 18 months out and a 16-year career behind him, it could be a tough task for Estrada.
Sunny takes the lead in Estrada vs. Rodriguez undercard
Sunny Edwardswho lost to Rodriguez at flyweight six months ago, faces the former IBF light-flyweight champion. Adrian Curiel in the big support bout. Edwards (20-1, 4 KOs) has an easy-looking gig this time around, but it’s not without risk.
Curiel (24-5-1, 8 KOs) earned his world title in spectacular fashion against Sivenathi Nontshinga in November with a ‘beat of the year’ contender in less than six minutes. But the Mexican player lost in his home country even though he threw his South African opponent with a sinker.
Edwards proved that he was more than a boxer against Rodriguez, but that was due to the tactics used on him. In this case, the 28-year-old can control the proceedings early on, and it would be a big surprise if he could be drawn into the creation of his 25-year-old opponent.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 16: American Jesse Rodriguez returns to the fight for the IBF and WBO flyweight belt against Sunny Edwards of Great Britain at the Desert Diamond Arena on December 16, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The questions will be what the punishing defeat of Rodriguez will be to Edwards. Curiel won’t stop until he lands or the last bell rings and this looks like it’s going to be a distance fight because Edward is tough and Curiel’s engine.
We can only assume that Edward will still have his bag of tricks, which would be very frustrating for Curiel. Things could get interesting in the long run, but a unanimous decision win for the outgoing Brit seems likely.
The seven-fight card in Phoenix also features the Somali-born Brit Ramla Ali (9-1, 2 KOs) will be world-class against the WBC super-bantamweight champion Yamilet Mercado (23-3, 5 KOs). Ali avenged her knockout loss to Julissa Alejandra Guzman 12 months ago with a points win five months later, which will put her in good stead. However, Mercado is on another level, and it is doubtful that Ali can reach such heights to win his first world title.
Before working Bam Rodriguez’s corner in the main event, Robert Garcia will be hoping to straighten out his bantamweight hopes. Gabriel Muratalla (11-0, 6 KOs) in a victory against a southpaw Carlos Fontes (23-3-1, 19 KOs) and one of his hopes Leonardo Rubalcava (7-0, 3 KOs) takes a break from working for his father’s construction company to start life as a Matchroom boxer against William Flenloy (3-3-1, 1 KO).
Elsewhere, super-bantamweights Arturo Popoca (13-0-1, 8 KOs) and Danny Barrios Flores (15-0, 5 KOs) put their undefeated streak at over 10 rounds while the local fighter Fabian Rojo (8-0, 6 KOs) will have the crowd on his side in the welterweight contest Daniel Gonzalez (5-1, 2 KOs).
Talking point
Defeating Estrada would be the third four-weight Kings match for Rodriguez. This would only leave the legendary Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez to complete the set. Will the missing piece matter or will the young prince instead go to Asia and face the bantamweight rulers of Japan?
The decision
This is another must-see fight in both men’s careers, but one where Rodriguez’s star will shine brightly with another brilliant performance.
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