By Jake Donovan (photos by Rafael Soto)
Juan Francisco Estrada prepares for the fourth defense of his unified flyweight titles as he faces Philippines Rommel Asenjo. Their bout takes place Saturday evening at Poliforum Zamna in Merida, Mexico.
Both fighters made weight for their headlining affair, which airs live on TV Azteca and beInSport Español. Estrada checked in right at the divisional limit of 112 lbs., while Asenjo was slightly lighter at 111.7 lbs.
In the co-feature, Miguel Berchelt takes on Rene Gonzalez in a 10-round junior lightweight bout. Both fighters weighed in at the divisional limit of 130 lbs.
Estrada (31-2, 22KOs) is coming up on his two-year anniversary as a flyweight titlist. The duration of his reign ironically comes after a loss that put him on the map as a major player in the lower weight classes, dropping a hard-fought decision in a furious slugfest with then unbeaten 108 lb. titlist Roman 'Chocolatito' Gonzalez.
Five wins have followed, all coming in flyweight title fights beginning with his April '13 upset of Brian Viloria. His most recent victory came in an over-the-limit non-title fight, outpointing unbeaten Joebert Alvarez over 10 rounds last December.
Talks constantly surface of a potential rematch with Gonzalez, now that both are once again the same weight class. Gonzalez moved up in weight and has since captured the World flyweight championship, with his next defense due in May versus Edgar Sosa.
Asenjo (26-3, 20KOs) makes his second attempt at an alphabet title, and also in search of his first win outside of Philippines, currently 0-2 on the road. The 26-year old suffered a 3rd round knockout loss to then-strawweight titlist Raul Garcia in April '11. Just six fights—all wins—have followed, none of which have come against the level of opposition that suggests an upset is imminent.
PHOTOS & WEIGHTS
Juan Francisco Estrada 112 lbs. Vs. Rommel Asenjo 111.7 lbs.
Miguel Berchelt 130 lbs. vs. René González 130 lbs.
Aarón Herrera 135 lbs. vs. Raúl Hinojosa 135.6 lbs
Darío Garibay 140 lbs vs. Pedro Campa 140.2 lbs
Miguel Herrera 112 lbs. vs. Genaro Ríos 112 lbs.
Moisés Fuentes 115 lbs vs Antonio Hernández 116
Óscar Arjona 135 lbs vs. Cristian Cruz 135 lbs.
Aarón Rueda 147 lbs. vs. Eduardo Pérez 147 lbs.
Silvia Torres 108 lbs vs Yamile López 108
Abel Rueda 154 lbs. vs. Tony Elías Cervantes 154 lbs.
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
