By Jake Donovan
Adrian ‘Diamante’ Estrella is being groomed for a title shot at a super featherweight title at some point in 2015, with his handlers squeezing in one more stay busy fight before the end of this year. The 22-year old boxer is set to take on Edwin ‘Bazooka’ Lopez—a late replacement for originally scheduled opponent Fernando Saucedo—this Saturday in Monterrey, Mexico.
Estrella (19-0, 17KOs) has been referred to by past opponents as nothing more than a pretty boy, with such comments perhaps coming with a hint of jealousy. The unbeaten contender has appeared in Mexican telenovas in addition to his current role as a boxing star on the rise. Most recently, former two-division Celestino Caballero took to such approach, insisting he was the bigger star outside of the ring based on his own hip hop career in his native Panama.
The trash talk didn’t at all help, as Caballero was thoroughly outboxed in dropping a wide decision in their October 4 clash and announcing his retirement shortly thereafter.
Lopez apparently hasn’t learned from the past mistakes made by others. In addition to mocking Estrella’s youth and looks, the 39-year old—who fights under the promotional umbrella of reigning middleweight king Miguel Cotto—decided to play the Puerto Rico vs. Mexico angle, insisting his side of the longtime in-ring rivalry boasts the far superior talent.
Whether or not the comments had any effect on Estrella’s psyche, the unbeaten local favorite felt compelled to respond. He also wanted to remind his opponent that—once the bell rings—it becomes a one-on-one game.
“I don’t know if (Lopez) believes that because Cotto is part of his team, that makes him invincible or it’s just flat-out defiance that Puerto Rican boxers always show,” Estrella wonders. “I do not care what it is; on Saturday night, he will meet this “child”… and I promise, this “child” will knock you out.”
The scheduled 12-round super featherweight bout airs live on Televisa in Mexico.
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com, as well as the Records Keeper for the Transnational Boxing Ratings Board and a member of Boxing Writers Association of America. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
