by Ronnie Nathanielsz

 

Filipino flyweight Joebert Alvarez who is handled by Nonito “Dodong” Donaire Sr and is training at his gym in Oakland, California will face awesome Mexiocan WBO/WBA champion Juan Francisco Estrada in a ten round non title bout  in Mexico on December 6.

 

Alvarez who is  undefeated with a record of 14-0-1 with 6 knockouts is taking a huge step forward in facing Estrada who won the title from Brian Viloria in Macau by a twelve round split decision and then successfully defended the title against previously unbeaten Milan Melindo in an excellent fight.

 

The power-punching Estrada who has a record of 30-2- with 22 knockouts faces the 24 year old Alvarez who is ranked No. 8 by the WBO is obviously looking to stay in shape for a future title defense with Viloria who is eager to get a rematch although nothing is certain.

 

“Dodong” Donaire told the Manila Standard/Viva Sports that Alvarez “keeps on training” so that even though the contract for the  Estrada fight was received only last Friday, his fighter is ready.

 

Donaire Sr said Alvarez “is doing well” and indicated “we won’t fight Estrada inside. We will try to out-box him” which is what Viloria did in the early rounds against Estrada but made the mistake of trying to engage the Mexican on the inside in the latter half of the fight and paid the price.

 

The enthusiastic trainer said Alvarez “fights like Manny Pacquiao, in and out, in and out and he’s got speed and power” even as he likened it to one of Pacquiao’s winning efforts against Juan Manuel Marquez.

 

Joebert Alvarez won the vacant WBC Continental Americas flyweight title with a unanimous decision over Julian Rivera in Mexico last April.

 

Estrada who is also 24 years old  is coming off back-to-back knockouts. He scored a 10th round knockout over Filipino Richie Mepranum   in Mexico in April and then knocked out one-time pound for pound No. 8 Giovanni Segura in the 11th round some two months ago.

 

Philboxing.com’s Dong Secuya quoted Alvarez as telling him “this opportunity comes very rarely. With God’s blessings I’m going to win this fight.”