Roman Gonzalez or Juan Francisco Estrada: Who Takes The Trilogy?
Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez (51-3, 41 KOs) and Juan Francisco “El Gallo” Estrada (43-3, 28 KOs) have been two of the elite lower-weight fighters in the world for over a decade. They will square off for a third time on December 3 at the Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona for the vacant WBC junior bantamweight title. The bout will air live on DAZN at 10 PM EST.
DOING IT ONE MORE TIME
There’s an argument that Gonzalez has surpassed countryman Alexis Arguello as the greatest fighter from Nicaragua. Winning world titles at 105, 108, 112, and 115 pounds, Chocolatito is a future Hall of Famer.
To defeat Estrada, Gonzalez must press the action at all times. Still one of the best pressure fighters in the business at age 35, the Nicaraguan is an expert at shortening the distance on his opponent. Once inside, Gonzalez throws a barrage of punches to the head and body that bewilders and wears down his foes.
He must employ that strategy in this fight. If he gives Estrada room to establish the jab, he’s in trouble. It would behoove Gonzalez to get his jab going, force the pace, and not give Estrada room to operate.
Winning world titles at 112 and 115 pounds, Estrada is one of the more complete technicians in the business. The 32-year-old from Mexico can box on the outside, but is willing to march forward and chop a fighter down when he has to.
For this upcoming trilogy, Estrada must establish the jab. In their two prior meetings, he found the most success when he got the left-hand stick going, then fired off combinations at a distance. It would also help if he found a way to slow down the pace and put Gonzalez on the backfoot. The more this is a methodical chess match, the more it benefits Gallo.
THE PREDICTION
Estrada – Gonzalez II was 3Kings Boxing’s 2021 Fight of the Year. Feeling that he won that bout, Chocolatito comes in supremely motivated. Based on the styles and temperament of both fighters, their third bout is expected to be another good one. It will be full of back-and-forth exchanges. Each will have its share of moments.
Gonzalez’s consistency is the key. Estrada tends to fight in spurts and has not shown the ability to hurt Gonzalez. He will not be able to keep Gonzalez off of him. Understanding that he’s near the end of a long and storied career, Chocolatito will fight with a greater sense of urgency and do enough to pound out a decision win.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
