It was shaping up to be a nail-biting thriller, and that’s exactly what happened at the Footprint Centre in Phoenix, Arizona, when Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez regained his WBC super flyweight title with a stunning seventh-round knockout of Juan Francisco Estrada, despite having to go down during the fight.
Rodriguez (20-0, 13 KO) challenged and easily defeated Estrada’s former opponent Carlos Cuadras, who originally won the belt in 2022. He defended twice before cutting back in weight to win the IBF and WBO flyweight titles. Rodriguez was last seen taking drugs last December ninth-round championship victory over Sunny Edwards.
In the first match, Rodriguez took to his task early, throwing combinations in a tactical session. Rodriguez’s footwork caused problems for Estrada, allowing him to score on several unanswered shots in the third round that Estrada couldn’t find an answer to.
Rodriguez made the breakthrough in the fourth round when a brilliant three-punch combination floored the Mexican. Estrada survived the count but wobbled again, surviving a round in which he started with a massive punch.
That led to Rodriguez finishing in fifth, landing a few more combinations as he went blind, but his steady progress was halted a round later when Estrada’s combination dropped the Texan to the canvas.
It was more of a lightning-quick takedown that refocused Rodriguez, who closed the show in the seventh round in some style. A wild left hook to the body crumpled on impact and Estrada writhed in agony, and the fight was stopped midway through the count.
Edwards returns to form despite cuts
The preliminary event saw the return of the previously mentioned Clear Edwards (21-1, 4 KOs), who defeated Adrian Curiel (24-6-1, 5 KOs) via technical decision in the flyweight division.
Edwards dominated the main event, but an accidental headbutt in the sixth round left him with a nasty gash on his forehead, and the fight went to the cards in the ninth round. The Englishman was declared the winner by scores of 90-82, 88-84 and 87-85.
Ali can’t handle Mercado
Yamileth Mercado (24-3, 5 KOs) defended her WBC super bantamweight title for the seventh time and proved too experienced and tricky for Ramla Ali (9-2, 2 KOs) to score in their encounter, Mercado outscoring the handy winner by scores of 98-92, 98-93 and 97-93, although the fight was much closer than the scorecards suggested.
Further summary of the initial stages:
Arturo Cardenas (14-0-1, 8 KO) defended his WBC Continental Americas super bantamweight title with a majority decision victory over Danny Barrios Flores (15-1, 5 KO). The 95-95 score was replaced by Cardenas scores of 97-93 and 96-94.
In the bantamweight division, Gabriel Muratalla (12-0, 6 KO) won his eighth victory over Carlos Fontes (23-4-1, 19 KO). Scores of 79-73, 78-74 and 77-75 ensured Muratalli remained undefeated.
Welterweight Fabian Rojo (9-0, 7 KO) demolished Daniel Gonzalez (5-2, 2 KO) in two rounds, while super lightweight Leonardo Rubalcava (8-0, 3 KO) scored a decisive points victory over William Flenoy (3-4-1, 1 KO) in six rounds.
Pacheco (22-0, 18 KO) is getting closer to a world title as a challenger to the WBO world title. The Los Angeles star will headline his sixth straight appearance and second appearance in Las Vegas, where he defeated Shawn McCalman on points in April before returning to his home stadium in August to record his 18th victory at the distance in a nauseating KO victory over Maciej Sulecki via body shot – performances that further strengthened his position as one of the hottest talents in the game, as confirmed by ESPN’s ranking of Pacheco in 2nd place on the list of the best players in the category 25, second only to star player and stablemate Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez.
Nelson (20-0, 16 KO) was gearing up for a huge fight and now he has a chance to thwart Pacheco’s rise to the top and take the great position his adolescent opponent has achieved. The 36-year-old last got a taste of action in August in Los Angeles, defeating Marcos Rodriguez via fifth-round stoppage thanks to a victory over his good friend and fellow Omaha fighter, Terence Crawford.
“I am very excited to return to the ring in early 2025 against another undefeated opponent – the DP show goes on,” Pacheco said.
“This is the type of fight I wanted, so I could show the world who I am,” Nelson said.
Diego Pacheco will defend his WBO International super middleweight title against Steven Nelson at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on Saturday, January 25, live worldwide on DAZN – and Cuban Olympic star Andy Cruz will face Omar Salcido and Ernesto Mercado will face Jose Pedraza in his Matchroom debut.
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk were separated after a long, intense staredown that turned into a heated exchange during a recent press conference.
Both fighters stared into each other’s eyes for more than 10 minutes, exchanging insults in a heated atmosphere ahead of this weekend’s long-awaited rematch.
Fury, 36, refused to step down, and Usyk, 37, firmly came to a bizarre conclusion about the pair’s relatively tranquil recent media appearance.
The press conference began with Usyk arriving with a live band and a vast group of vocalists, after which both players gave brief answers to questions.
Fury, however, took a more grave tone, stating: “I’m going to cause a lot of pain, definitely put that motherfucker in the injured locker. “I have nothing to say except it will be very hurtful and painful. The conversation was over.
“The first fight I talked about, I was joking. Throughout my entire career. This time I’m grave and I’m going to do some damage.”
Tensions rose as the pair faced each other at the end of the event, with the room filled with cameras and spectators jostling for a good vantage point. Looking down for a long time gave everyone ample opportunity to capture the moment.
The situation escalated when Fury began hurling insults at the WBA, WBC and WBO heavyweight champion. Usyk retaliated, which seemed to enrage Fury even more, causing him to break out in a sweat as his team tried to drag him away from the scene.
When Usyk finally left the stage, he walked up a nearby staircase, pumping his fist in appreciation of the audience as some of his band members chanted his name.
Tyson Fury vowed to “seriously hurt” him in Saturday’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.
Fury is for revenge first defeat his professional career when he meets Usyk at the Kingdom Arena in Riyad, seven months after he was dropped by split decision at the same venue.
“The Gypsy King” has put in a solemn performance throughout the build-up and continued that attitude during Wednesday’s public training session.
The 36-year-old put on his gloves, greeted the audience and took off his gloves without landing a single blow on his pads.
The Briton, who is generally in a cheerful mood, revealed little in the interview DAZN then, but sent his rival a dire warning.
“A lot of pain.
“Smash and destroy.
“A lot of pain, solemn hurt.”
Fury, who is aiming to become a three-time world heavyweight champion, held a training camp in Malta ahead of the rematch and earlier this week claimed he had not had contact with his wife Paris for three months.
Usyk secured the undisputed heavyweight title in May but vacated the IBF belt to secure a rematch, while Daniel Dubois, who arrived in Riyadh earlier this week, was elevated to full champion after winning the interim title.
If the fighter from Morecambe exacts revenge, according to Fury’s British promoter, Frank Warren, a third fight with the Ukrainian has already been contracted.
However, Fury promised a victory so comprehensive that the 37-year-old would never fight again.
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