Estrada Vs. Bam Rodriguez: Can The Aging Champion Hold Off The Rising Star?

Juan Francisco Estrada will be coming off a long layoff to defend his WBC and Ring super flyweight titles against unbeaten Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez in the twelve-round main event this Saturday night on June 29th, live on DAZN at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. The event begins at 9:00 p.m. ET.

Estrada’s Recent Struggles

This fight could come down to how much Estrada (44-3, 28 KOs) has left after 16 years in the pros. Estrada looked like a shadow of his former self the last time he was in the ring, and it would appear that age had caught up to the old warrior.

Estrada hasn’t performed well since his 12-round split decision in his rematch with Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez in March 2021. Estrada has looked washed against Argi Cortes and Chocolatito Gonzalez in his two fights since then.

Many fans believe the judges in December 2022 in Glendale, Arizona, gave Estrada a gift decision in his trilogy match against Chocolatito. Chocolatito appeared to win the fight 10 rounds to 2 against an overmatched Estrada, who wasn’t remotely competitive from the get-go.

The contest was even more one-sided than their first in November 2012, which Chocolatito Gonzalez won by a 12-round unanimous decision. The trilogy fight told fans that the Nicaraguan-born Chocolatito wasn’t getting much love from the judges in Arizona against Estrada, who was dominated.

If Estrada can’t raise his game considerably, Bam Rodriguez will wipe him out on Saturday night, and the judges won’t be able to bail out the champion like they did against Chocolatito.

Bam Rodriguez Returns to 115

Bam Rodriguez (19-0, 12 KOs) is moving back up to 115 after capturing the IBF and WBO titles at 112. With the flyweight division being empty of high-level fights, Bam is returning to 115 to challenge the legend Estrada and champions Fernando Martinez, Kazuto Ioka, and Kosei Tanaka.

Undercard fights on Saturday:

• • Sunny Edwards vs. Adrian Curiel
  • Yamileth Mercado vs. Ramla Ali
  • Arturo Cardenas vs. Danny Barrio
  • Leonardo Rubalcava vs. William Flenoy
  • Fabian Rojo vs. Daniel Gonzalez
  • Gabriel Muratalla vs. Carlos Fontes

“I consider myself a complete boxer. I can go out, I can pressure, and I can box,” said Juan Francisco Estrada to DAZN Boxing, talking about what he brings to his fight this Saturday night against Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez. “I don’t think Bam is going to have it easy.

“I think Bam Rodriguez has to be willing to die because I’m willing to give it all up in the ring, and this is one fight I’m not willing to let go. If it goes the distance, which I doubt, it will be the fight of the year.

“I just know I’m going to go out and do what I’m planning to do. People are going to see the best Bam Rodriguez to date,” said Bam. “I’m coming with everything. I want my title back. Come June 29th, just be ready and the new. I’m ready for anything.

“Juan Francisco Estrada is a legend of the sport. He’s been around for many years. He was a champion when I was still an amateur. To share the ring with him, it’s an honor, but come June 29th, I’m going to take over. I believe a win over Estrada will make me the face of the lower-weight divisions. From what I’ve already accomplished, I’m one fight away,” said Bam.