Estrada: Cuadras Bout Will Be Best of The Night, Maybe of 2017

by Francisco Salazar

Juan Francisco Estrada would want nothing more than to face Roman 'Chocolatito' Gonzalez in a rematch of their thrilling clash in November of 2012.

Standing in his way is fellow Mexican and junior bantamweight and Carlos Cuadras.

A lot is riding on the line tonight as both square off in a 12 round bout at the Stubhub Center in Carson, California. The bout will precede the rematch between Gonzalez and WBC 115-pound titleholder Srisaket Sor Rungvisai.

Both bouts, along with the clash between WBO junior bantamweight titleholder Naoya Inoue and Antonio Vargas, will air live on HBO, beginning at 10:15 p.m. ET/ 7:15 p.m. PT.

The fight between Estrada and Cuadras is one of the more anticipated fights of 2017. The evenly-matched bout will likely by the fight of the night on what is said to be the fight card of the year.

Aside from bragging rights in Mexico (Estrada is from the northern city of Hermosillo, while Cuadras is from Mexico City, a lot is on the line. The winner of the Sor Rungvisai-Gonzalez fight is mandated to defend the title against the winner between Estrada and Cuadras.

Gonzalez is the Sor Rungvisai mandatory challenger. Cuadras and Estrada are ranked number two and three, respectively, by the WBC.

Estrada (35-2, 25 knockouts) last fought on Mar. 11, stopping Anuar Salas in the fifth round in Mexico City. Estrada has won his last nine bouts since the loss to Gonzalez.

Tonight will mark the third time Estrada has fought on HBO programming.

"This is a great opportunity for me, considering the fact that the fight is on HBO," Estrada told Boxingscene.com. "I need to take advantage of this opportunity. Obviously, I have to win, considering an opportunity to fight for the WBC belt is on the line."

"The fight with Chocolatito is what we've been looking forward to. It's the fight I want next year. These are the types of fights I want."

Estrada lost a close decision to Gonzalez at the Sports Arena in Los Angeles almost five years ago. The 27-year-old Estrada dropped down from 112 pounds to challenge Gonzalez, who at that time held the WBO light flyweight title.

Despite how well he performed against in that fight, Estrada considers Gonzalez to still be a threat, even though Gonzalez lost by decision to Sor Rungvisai.

"Both fights were different," said Estrada, who is promoted by Zanfer Promotions. "I fought 'Chocolatito' at 108 pounds and Chocolatito fought the Thai fighter at 115 pounds. It's a huge difference. I thought Chocolatito won the last fight (on Mar. 18) against Sor Rungvisai. Chocolatito has to press the fight more and be more aggressive so there is no doubt in the rematch."

"As for me, I would to win world titles in many weight classes. I was fortunate enough to wins two world title belts as a flyweight. I'd like to win a world title at this weight, then go up to bantamweight and win a world title there.

Before a fight against Gonzalez can even be considered, he must get defeat Cuadras, who lost to Gonzalez a year ago tomorrow in a close fight.

Estrada agrees a fight against Cuadras will produce fireworks, and could be considered a fight of the year candidate if it lives or surpasses expectations.

"Whether the fight is here (in Carson) or China, the fight is between two Mexicans and it will be a great fight. Without a doubt, it will be the best fight on the card. Maybe of the year. We all know when there's two Mexicans, both fighters give it their all. Hopefully, that will be the case, especially for all the boxing fans."

The colorful Cuadras has been his usual flamboyant self leading up to the fight. Cuadras may get a laugh from the boxing community, but Estrada is numb to it.

"Outside the ring, Carlos likes to talk a lot. He says things out of the ordinary. Not all boxers talk the way he does. What I say leading up to a fight is done in the ring. We will see who is the tougher of the two Mexicans. This will be a good fight, but the person that wins the fight will be the one who is most prepared and more intelligent. Our styles are very similar."

"May the best man win."

Francisco A. Salazar has written for Boxingscene.com since September of 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (Calif.) Star newspaper, RingTV.com, and Knockout Nation. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing