Health Concerns For Estrada Threaten the Highly-Anticipated Third Fight with Roman Gonzalez
One of the more anticipated fights of 2022 is the March 5 trilogy between WBA Super junior bantamweight champion Juan Francisco “Gallo” Estrada (42-3, 28 KOs) and former four-division world champion Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez (50-3, 41 KOs). Unfortunately, the fight is in serious jeopardy of not happening.
MYSTERIOUS ILLNESS
According to ESPN Deportes, Estrada is dealing with an illness. For the past three weeks, the 31-year-old has had difficulty training, as his body is not responding to his standards. The cause of his discomfort has not been disclosed. However, it is suspected “Gallo” could be dealing with symptoms from COVID-19.
TWO SPECIAL WARRIORS
The fight would be the third installment of a rivalry that has thrilled fans and pundits alike. They first went to war in November 2012. Gonzalez defeated Estrada by unanimous decision to retain his then-WBA junior flyweight title in a highly entertaining battle.
In their March 2021 rematch, both men had moved up in weight and were considered two of the elite fighters in the smaller weight divisions. In a unification showdown at 115 pounds, then-WBC junior bantamweight champ Estrada gained revenge as he defeated then-WBA 115-pound champ Gonzalez by controversial decision. Many fans deemed the decision controversial, feeling “Chocolatito” did enough to deserve the verdict. Controversy aside, it will go down as one of the best fights in the division’s history and was 3Kings Boxing’s 2021 Fight of the Year.
If Estrada-Gonzalez III is postponed and rescheduled, it would be for the second time. The trilogy was to happen on October 16, 2021. It was pushed back after Gonzalez tested positive for COVID-19. As it pertains to the current situation with Estrada, an official medical report is expected to come down soon.
Matchroom Boxing will release a statement on the matter over the next few days. Stay tuned to 3Kings Boxing for further updates on this developing story.
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By: Michael Wilson Jr.
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