Juan Francisco Estrada ended a career-long eighteen-month layoff with the fourth defense of his lineal junior bantamweight championship, outpointing countryman Argi Cortes in a surprisingly competitive affair.
Judges Martin Canizalez (115-112), Ernesto Saldivar (115-112) and Christian Garduno (114-113) all scored in favor of Estrada in their DAZN-aired main event Saturday evening at Centro de Usos Multiples in Hermosillo, Mexico.
The win allows Estrada to look forward to a long-sought—and twice-postponed—rubber match with Nicaragua’s legendary former four-division champion Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez (51-3, 41KOs), which is scheduled to take place December 3 at a location to be determined.
Estrada endured his third career ring absence of one year or longer heading into Saturday’s bout, this one costing him both alphabet titles he held prior to the extended break. The two-division champ gave up the WBC junior bantamweight title shortly after his split decision win over Gonzalez last March, with the lead-in to this fight seeing the local hero stripped of his WBA ‘Super’ belt for failure to defend against secondary titleholder Joshua Franco.
Estrada was quick out the gate, shooting his jab and setting up power shots. Cortes entered his first career title fight stepping up considerably in class, though under the guidance of Hall of Fame trainer Ignacio ‘Nacho’ Beristain. The 27-year-old Mexico City native was poised under pressure, a common occurrence as Estrada walked forward and was dangerously effective with his power punches.
Cortes enjoyed his first big moment of the fight late in round three. Estrada landed several left hooks and right hands to that point but came up short during an exchange at close quarters. Cortes dodged a left hook and landed one of his own in return to close out the round.
The sequence provided Cortes with a confidence boost entering a competitive round four. Both fighters scored with their left hook, Cortes upstairs and Estrada to the body. Cortes came on strong in the final round, landing a series of right hands as Estrada willingly stood toe-to-toe with his challenger.
Open scoring had the fight as a split decision draw through four rounds. Each fighter led 39-37 on separate cards while the third judge had it 38-38 even. Cortes seemingly surged ahead with a potent display of power in round five. Estrada stood directly in front of Cortes, looking to land a right hand only to get clipped by a shot which drew blood from his nose while swelling developed around his left eye.
Cortes refused to let up, pressing the action in round six. Estrada was long known for boasting a world-class chin, relying on his resilience to stand up to Cortes’ power shots.
Estrada drew a rise out of the partisan hometown crowd during a much-needed momentum shift in round seven.
The defending champion produced the bout’s first knockdown, wading through a right hand to catch Cortes with a left hook to the body. Cortes was forced to a knee, complaining that he was hit in the back though the protest falling on deaf ears. The challenger made it to his feet, only to be met with a straight right hand while pinned along the ropes.
Chants of ‘Gallo’ filled the venue as Estrada went on the hunt in round eight. Cortes seemed to fully recuperate from the damage down in the preceding round, managing a right hand upstairs. Estrada connected with a left hook in the final minute, freezing Cortes in his tracks.
Estrada led 77-74 on two cards after eight rounds, while Cortes was ahead by the same score on the dissenting card. While many in the sport are resistant to open scoring, the revelation allowed both fighters to know what was required to secure victory in the final four rounds. Cortes was constantly on the move, fighting well in reverse and getting Estrada to follow him. Estrada was responsible in his attack, not wasting punches and saving his best moments for when he was able to cut off the ring.
Estrada was persistent in his body attack in the later rounds, digging his left hook downstairs in an effort to slow down a mobile Cortes. On the occasions where they were at close quarters, Cortes was the busier fighter though Estrada seemingly landed the more telling blows.
Both fighters had their say in a fast-paced twelfth and final round. Cortes offered a rapid fire jab in hopes of setting up a fight-altering power shot. Estrada kept Cortes (22-3-3, 7KOs) honest with left hooks and chopping right hands but had to rely on his granite chin to make it to the finish line and turn away a determined challenge from his countryman.
Estrada improves to 43-3 (28KOs) with the win, maintaining his place atop the talent-rich junior bantamweight division. The setback of a career-long layoff and letting go of two alphabet titles could prove worth the sacrifice as he will look to a third fight with Gonzalez that is targeted for December.
It will mark the first time in their trilogy where a physical belt won’t be at stake. Gonzalez made the final defense of his WBA junior flyweight title with a twelve-round, unanimous decision in their terrific November 2012 clash. Estrada defended his WBC junior bantamweight title while winning Gonzalez’s WBA belt in their Fight of the Year-worthy rematch last March.
Estrada still holds the WBC “Franchise” title at junior bantamweight, along with recognition as the lineal champ dating back to his win over Srisaket Sor Rungvisai in their April 2019 rematch. The feat saw Estrada avenge a February 2018 loss to the Thai southpaw, with Saturday’s win extending his championship reign of more than three years.
The unfortunate development of losing both alphabet titles outside the ring came out of both Estrada and Gonzalez testing positive for Covid at separate points during their twice-postponed trilogy. Gonzalez was forced to withdraw from their October 16 clash after falling prey to the infectious disease, while Estrada had to shut down training camp after experiencing symptoms in mid-January, thus killing plans for a March 5 showdown.
The close call endured by Estrada on Saturday is hopefully the last hurdle in finally getting to the superfight with Gonzalez.
–boxingscene.com
