Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Roman Gonzalez II - 13 March 2021

[maverick23]

I’m buzzing for this one. It’s actually a really good card.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Predictions

Scott Christ (10-4-1)

I have gone back and forth, forth and back, round and round trying to decide on a winner in this fight. We wanted to see it for years, then the idea was that Chocolatito was probably past it, and then he showed he’s not, and we’re right back to this being a great fight again.

They’ve both got world titles, you could argue them as 1-2 in the division, or at the very least two of a very strong top four. I think most have felt for a while that Estrada beats Gonzalez in a rematch, but I watch them fight still and I think I lean toward the Nicaraguan great still. Estrada got taken to hell before stopping Carlos Cuadras — a very good fighter at his best, mind you — last time out, and I think there was a lot in that fight where Gonzalez can look at what Cuadras did well and execute it even better. I think he’s still the better fighter in close quarters, and Estrada isn’t some monster puncher or anything, he’s not feather-fisted at all but I don’t see his raw power making the difference. This is a rare matchup: two top fighters, fighting for legacy and current standing, in a matchup you could reasonably see going either way. However it turns out, savor it. Gonzalez UD-12

Wil Esco (10-4-1)

It’s good to have good fights back on the schedule. It feels like forever ago that Chocolatito was reigning as pound-for-pound king, only to be stomped into the ground by Srisaket Sor Rungvisai a few years ago. Of course Chocolatito would also lose his longtime trainer, which obviously affected him, but my biggest concern about him now is age and attrition. Gonzalez has had a really good career but I can’t help but think that although he’s still very skilled, he’s a diminished version of himself. There’s something to be said about getting long in the tooth, and I think Chocolatito is in that category.

None of that is to say that Chocolatito isn’t still capable of beating plenty of good fighters, but in this particular fight I just think Gonzalez will have the edge in a fight that should feature plenty of action. But as the rounds and punishment wears on both fighters, I think Estrada will be better suited to tough it out down the stretch. I’ll take Estrada to win by decision. Estrada UD-12

Patrick L. Stumberg (10-4-1)

As this fight percolated these last few years, the prevailing theory seemed to be that Estrada could capitalize on Gonzalez’s decline to even the score. Frankly, I’m not convinced. Rumors of “Chocolatito’s” demise were greatly exaggerated; though still unable to cause the sort of devastation he wreaked against smaller opposition, he looked every bit the pound-for-pound monster of old in last year’s victories over Kal Yafai. You also have to remember that Estrada, who’s just three years younger than the supposed elder statesman before him, has had his fair share of wars as well in addition to some persistent hand injuries.

Based on their most recent performances, I have to favor “Chocolatito.” I genuinely believe he can bully Estrada the way Carlos Cuadras did in the latter two’s epic rematch, and his ability to do damage in the pocket still outstrips “El Gallo’s.” In what may be the last great fight these two have in them, Gonzalez steadily overpowers Estrada to make it 2-0. Gonzalez UD-12

Lewis Watson (10-4-1)

I love this fight. We all love this fight. Instead of rattling on for 1000s of unnecessary characters, I’m going to keep this one short and sweet. Choco is my guy, and I honestly think that the way he has naturally faded won’t impact his chances as much as Estrada. Sure, Choco has three years on “El Gallo” but unless the Mexican can use his once-perfect feet in getting out of range from Gonzalez’s front-foot pressure, then I can see Gonzalez taking the second half of the fight as he continues to bomb forward and throw timber. SSR had his number – it happens – but he’s looked sharp and aggressive ever since and he’s still shown the ability to throw punch after punch over the distance. Estrada is fantastic and is arguably the more suited to the weight, but he’s also seen his share of wars and my gut is telling me Choco could break him down the stretch. But what do I know. What do any of us know. All I know is that this is gonna be a banger and I can’t wait. Gonzalez MD-12

And the staff winner is...

Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez (3-1)!

[Ruthless-RKO]

Both weighed an identical 114.8 pounds.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Stats & Stakes

Juan Francisco Estrada
Age: 30
Titles: Lineal/TBRB/Ring/WBC Jr. Bantamweight (2019-Present, 2 Defenses)
Previous Titles: WBA/WBO Flyweight (2013-Present, 5 Defenses)

Height: 5’4
Weight: 114 ¾ lbs.
Stance: Orthodox

Hails from: Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico
Record: 41-3, 28 KO

Record in Major Title Fights: 9-2, 6 KO

Last Five Opponents: 166-15-6 (.894)

Notable Outcomes, TBRB/Ring Rated Foes: Roman Gonzalez L12; Brian Viloria SD12; Milan Melindo UD12; Giovani Segura TKO11; Carlos Cuadras UD12, TKO11; Srisaket Sor Rungvisai L12, UD12

Additional Current/Former Titlists Faced: Juan Carlos Sanchez L8, TKO10; Hernan Marquez KO10

vs.

Roman Gonzalez
Age: 33
Titles: WBA super flyweight (2020-Present, 1 Defense)
Previous Titles: WBA Minimumwieght (2008-10, 3 Defenses); WBA Light Flyweight (2011-13, 5 Defenses); Lineal/TBRB/Ring/WBC World Flyweight (2014-16, 4 Defenses); WBC super flyweight (2016-17)

Height: 5’3
Weight: 114 ¾ lbs.
Stance: Orthodox

Hails from: Managua, Nicaragua
Record: 50-2, 41 KO, 1 KOBY
Press Rankings: #2 (TBRB, Ring, BoxRec), #3 (ESPN, Boxing News)

Record in Major Title Fights: 17-2, 10 KO, 1 KOBY (18-2, 11 KO, 1 KOBY including interim title fights)

Last Five Opponents: 133-17-5 (.874)

Notable Outcomes, TBRB/Ring Rated Foes: Eriberto Gejon KO1; Yutaka Niida TKO4; Katsunari Takayama UD12; Ramon Garcia KO4; Akira Yaegashi TKO9; Edgar Sosa TKO2; Brian Viloria TKO9; McWilliams Arroyo UD12; Carlos Cuadras UD12; Srisaket Sor Rungvisai L12, KO by 4; Khalid Yafai TKO9; Israel Gonzalez UD12

Additional Current/Former Titlists Faced: Juan Francisco Estrada UD12; Francisco Rodriguez Jr. TKO7; Moises Fuentes TKO5

[Autobarn]

Estrada is also a great fighter. He’ll win, closely, in a tremendous fight. As Gonzalez did in the first one. I think this is a rematch Gonzalez will wish he’d got out of the way, years ago.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Live from American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing USA Present: Estrada vs. Gonzalez II



Time: 8pm ET | 5pm PT | 7pm CT (Local)
TV/Live stream: DAZN | Price: $19.99/Month, $99.99/Year
Time: 1am UK
TV/Live stream: DAZN | Price: £1.99/Month

Running Order

Live on DAZN: 7pm CT/ 8pm ET | 1am UK

8 Round Middleweight Contest
Austin Williams (162lbs) vs. Denis Douglin (161.6lbs)

Followed by

8 Round Featherweight Contest
Raymond Ford (126.8lbs) vs. Aaron Perez (127.2lbs)

Followed by

WBA and Ring Magazine World Light-Flyweight Championship
Hiroto Kyoguchi (107.6lbs) vs. Aaron Perez (107.2lbs)

Followed by

Undisputed World Welterweight Championship
Jessica McCaskill (144.6lbs) vs. Cecilia Brækhus (145lbs)

Followed by

Unified WBC, WBA and Ring Magazine World Super-Flyweight Championship
Juan Francisco Estrada (114.8lbs) vs. Roman Gonzalez (114.8lbs)

Float

8 Round Super-Welterweight Contest
Souleymane Cissokho (159.4lbs) vs. Daniel Echevarria (167lbs)

[Ruthless-RKO]

Anyone awake?

[Counter-puncher]

Fkin BUZZING mate

[Ruthless-RKO]

Great fight!

[Ruthless-RKO]

Official Decision

115-113 Gonzalez
117-111 Estrada
115-113 Estrada

Estrada via Split Decision

[margaret thatcher]

Gonzalez took it for me, but a lot of close rounds. Really nice fight, only things that woulda made it better is if they could hurt each other a bit more.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Gonzalez took it for me, but a lot of close rounds. Really nice fight, only things that woulda made it better is if they could hurt each other a bit more.

Your last sentence.

[margaret thatcher]

Ya, it was one of those fights where a ton of punches thrown and landed, but kinda lost their value a bit because non seemed to really bother the other guy. Still, a very nice and super competitive fight. Gonzo a bit unlucky not to get it but was super competitive.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

This tweet

[Stobbo]

Some rounds were tight to score
Gonzales by 2 possibly 3 for me.

[handsofstone]

I had Gonzalez winning that 117-112, could definitely be closer but stil can't really see Estrada winning, it was another quality high tempo fight, thought Estrada started off well but Gonzalez found his rhythm and put together some nice work, Estrada was the bigger man and landed the bigger punches, especially to the body, neither guy was hurt and both were throwing plenty but i thought Gonzalez outworked Estrada in most of the rounds

Gonzalez still oozes class though, he's not lost that fluidity and still fights at a pace, he was brilliant in the last round, shame thats twice he's been shafted on my card, as i say my card can def be closer, a lot of close rounds but wrong man won IMO

[Ruthless-RKO]

CompuBox Stats



Official Scorecards

[Oiky]

What a fight

[handsofstone]

CompuBox Stats



Official Scorecards

The fact the 117-111 judge gave the last round to Estrada tells the story of his card