WBA Names Joshua Franco Mandatory For Estrada vs Gonzalez Winner

Joshua Franco named mandatory challenger for WBA super flyweight title

(clockwise from top left) WBA super flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada, Joshua Franco, Roman Gonzalez
(clockwise from top left) Juan Francisco Estrada, Joshua Franco, Roman Gonzalez

Joshua Franco named mandatory challenger for WBA super flyweight title


In his last in-ring skirmish, regular WBA world super flyweight champion Joshua “El Professor” Franco (18-1-2, 8 KO’s) picked up a UD victory. He did so by claiming the scalp of Andrew Moloney. It was their third consecutive time fighting in just over one year’s time. Franco has now won two of the three, with the third fight ending in a no contest when a cut that El Professor suffered in the second prevented him from continuing.

Now, less than a full week since his recent victory, Franco was gifted some beneficial news. This came in the form of being named the mandatory challenger for the winner of WBA super world super flyweight champion Juan Francisco “El Gallo” Estrada (42-3, 28 KO’s) and Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez (50-3, 41 KO’s). Estrada and Gonzalez will stage their immediate rematch on October 16, 2021. Yet, in total this will be the third time that they face off.

In their initial bout, Chocolatito was able to secure a solid unanimous decision victory well back on November 17, 2012. Then in their recent follow up bout, El Gallo was able to snag the WBA super flyweight title in Gonzalez’s second defense of the belt that he captured from Khalid Yafai. Overall this is great news for Franco. Not only does he have a meaningful fight to look forward to, he has the opportunity to upgrade his belt. While he is a belt holder, the regular WBA’s titles get about as much respect as R. Kelly at a feminist rally. Yet, first things first, let’s see who prevails in the Roman Gonzalez versus Juan Francisco Estrada trilogy bout. Then we can focus on Franco versus the winner.

By: Bakari Simpson

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About Bakari S.2874 Articles
Bakari is a Senior Writer for 3kingsboxing.com. Visit cheetahhead.com to view more of his literary work.