By Miguel Rivera
With the bitter taste of not having been able to go out with the championship last Saturday in California against Srisaket Sr Rungvisai, former world champion Juan Francisco 'Gallo' Estrada has asked the organizers of Superfly to provide better salaries for the smaller weight fighters
Estrada, along with Roman 'Chocolatito' Gonzalez, have long been advocates for smaller weight fighters to get paid more money.
According to the California State Athletic Commission, the winner Sor Rungvisai pocketed 250 thousand dollars, with 100 thousand dollars for Estrada, plus 25 thousand dollars for Carlos Cuadras and McWilliams Arroyo, 40 thousand for Donnie Nietes, 30 thousand for Juan Carlos Reveco, 50 thousand for Brian Viloria and 25 thousand for Artem Dalakian. In total, 545 thousand dollars between all of the main fighters.
According to data published earlier this week on BoxingScene.com, the HBO televised card had an average audience of 639 thousand fans and peaks of up to 753 thousand, almost 160 thousand viewers less than SuperFly 1, which was headlined by the rematch between Sriskaet Sor Rungvisai and Román 'Chocolatito' González
Estrada is angered that he, along with the other fighters on the show, are paid so little in comparison to the higher weights boxers who appear on HBO.
"I think it's an abuse as they say. It's crumbs for a card as big as this. I'm not saying this just for me, I'm saying this for the entire card - which had the best smaller-weight fighters - and so many people enjoyed it that were there live and also those watching on television. Yes, it is an abuse that they do not pay us what we really deserve, because sometimes we give a much bigger spectacle than some of the [boxers from the] higher weights that earn millions," Estrada said to ESPN Deportes.
Rey Vargas, the WBC super bantamweight champion who is also featured on HBO as of late, was listening to Estrada's comments and agreed with his countryman. He said sometimes the salaries do not correspond with the A-level performances that many of the smaller fighters put forth in the ring.
