The WBC looking to make a four man tournament after making Juan Francisco Estrada the “Franchise” champion!
The WBC has announced that there will be a four-man super flyweight tournament. To kick things off, the WBC first named Juan Francisco Estrada (42-3, 28KOs) their “Franchise” champion per his request. This leads to them not needing to order him to face mandatory challenger Srisaket Sor Rungvisai. Instead, they have approved Estrada to enter a triolgy with Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez (50-3, 41KOs)!
On March 13, both men produced a fight of the year candidate as they slugged it out in a highly anticipated rematch of their 2012 brawl! Ultimately, their close affair would end with Estrada announced the winner via a close and controversial split decision. Many watching the fight felt Gonzalez did more than enough to win. The outcry from the fans even prompted the WBA to suspend judge Carlos Sucre for turning in a 117-111 scorecard for Estrada.
Given this, the WBC decided to let the WBC Franchise champ to forego mandatory obligations against Rungvisai for a third fight with Gonzalez.
WHAT ABOUT SRISAKET SOR RUNGVISAI?!
On that same March 13 night, Sor Rungvisai made easy work of Ekkawit Songnui in three rounds. Afterwards, the Thai hard-hitter expressed immediately wanting the winner of Estrada vs Gonzalez II. However, he’s now agreed to step aside, paving the way for a rubber match to happen.
Meanwhile, he will face former WBC super flyweight champion Carlos Cudras (39-4-1, 27KOs) for the now vacant WBC super flyweight title in a rematch. In May 2014, a then undefeated Cuadras pulled out an eighth round technical decision after a cut formed above his eye due to a clash of heads rendered him unable to continue. In the process, he picked up the WBC super flyweight title that Gonzalez would eventually lift off him two years later.
These four fighters have all fought each other and produced some legendary bouts. Therefore, the tournament will surely continue that in the coming months.
As for the “Franchise” title, it title should be thrown completely away as it’s just too confusing and completely unnecessary.
By: Jerrell Fletcher
