Adrian Estrella in Line For Title Shot Versus Takashi Miura
Dec 4, 2014 • 7:38 AM ET
By Jake Donovan
If all goes well for Adrian Estrella this weekend, the next stop could be a title shot – and a long road trip against an incumbent champion whose grown accustomed to ‘Mexican style’ boxing by now.
The unbeaten super featherweight still has to get past Edwin Lopez in their scheduled regional title fight Saturday evening in Monterey, Mexico. With a win, Estrella will be next in line for reigning 130 lb. titlist Takashi Miura in a bout targeted for next February in Japan.
Estrella (19-0, 17KOs) saw his knockout streak come to an end as he stepped up in class in 2014. The young star – who is as popular outside the ring in Mexico as he is between the ropes – has been extended the distance in each of his past two bouts, scoring decisive points wins over Dante Jardon and former two-division champ Celestino Caballero.
The rising contender – who turns 22 in January – has fought exclusively in Mexico in his young career, having just completed three years in the pro ranks. Money dictates where his first title fight will take place, which means a likely road trip to Japan with a win on Saturday.
Miura (28-2-2, 21KOs) has been matched exclusively with Mexican opponents for the duration of his title reign, which began with a 9th round knockout of Gamaliel Diaz last April.
Three defenses have followed, including knockout wins over Jardon and most recently Edgar Puerta last month, both of which took place in Japan. His lone road trip in fact took place in Mexico, outpointing Sergio ‘Yeyo’ Thompson in his first title defense last August.
The string of title fights come as part of a current eight-fight win streak for Miura, whose last loss came in Jan. ’11. That moment represented his first title fight, suffering an 8th round knockout loss at the hands of countryman Takashi Uchiyama, who is still unbeaten and recognized as the best super featherweight on the planet, with Miura right behind him.
Estrella’s showdown with Lopez this weekend airs live on Televisa, his seventh straight bout on the popular Mexican channel.
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com, as well as a member of Transnational Boxing Ratings Board and the Boxing Writers Association of America. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
Jake Donovan is an award-winning journalist who served as senior writer for BoxingScene from 2007-2024, and news editor for the final nine years of his first tour. He was also the lead writer for The Ring before his decision to return home.
