Estrada vs. Chocolatito 3: Results, video and analysis

Estrada vs. Chocolatito 3 lived up to the hype.

Two superflyweight legends meet for the third time in an era-defining fight this Saturday, as Roman Gonzalez and Juan Francisco Estrada close a rivalry that’s been running a decade. A WBC world title is also on the line, although this is a fight so important on its own terms the title is almost beside the point.

Gonzalez (51-3-0, 41 KOs) won their first fight, way back in 2012, whereas Estrada (43-3-0, 28KOs) won the second to some dispute last year. The time in between saw them both establish themselves as lower-weight greats, and now we’ll see the highly skilled aggression of Gonzalez against the all-round craftyness of Estrada one more time. It should be a great fight.

This article will provide round-by-round coverage of the main event. The card is available on DAZN in the US, Europe, and other DAZN markets, and starts at 8pm ET, with the ringwalks on the main event expected around 11pm – but stay tuned here for updates on that.

Not confirmed yet, but the early knockout in the Pacheco-Luna fight might see the main event earlier than that projected 11pm time, since they haven’t fucked around with filler before the next one

Further update: the co-main is finished, so keep an eye on the broadcast.

Round-by-round

Roman Gonzalez vs Juan Francisco Estrada

Round 1: And we’re off! Straight into the center of the ring, but they open up feeling out with jabs. Chocolatito holding the center a bit more, but not pressing just yet. Estrada winning the jab battle in the first half of the round. Not a lot happening really, Estrada doing just a little bit more and starts brining the right hand into play as the round closes. 10-9 Estrada.

Round 2: Chocolatito immediately comes out pressing harder. Estrada seeking to counter with rights over the top and lefts to the body, and Gonzalez still not throwing a ton. Now Estrada picking up the pace, neat uppercut inside, keeping Chocolatito occupied as he tries to weave in. Gonzalez finally gets to work briefly but then Estrada counters and backs him off and then to the ropes. They pause after a clash of heads and the round ends. 10-9 Estrada, 20-18

Round 3: Chocolatito isn’t the fastest starter sometimes but this has been a worrying start for him. Has to get more punches off. Does a bit to start the round but eats a counter to the body. Estrada jabbing, coutnering, looking very sharp. Bodyshot from Gonzalez has an effect and the referee interferes for some reason, maybe low? Now Chocolatito is getting going. Not getting anything for free though For once Chocolatito backs him to the ropes and unleads, but then a clash of heads stops the action. That gives Estrada time to reset. That overhand right is money for him so far. And the round ends with the fight finally catching light, furious exchanges for the last 20 seconds! 10-9 Chocolatito, 29-28 Estrada.

Round 4: He took a little while to get going but Chocolatito here to war now. Gets backed off again though, Estrada finding routes with the oppercut and that right round the guard. Short right by Chocolatito scores as they circle along the ropes but then Estrada slides off. Uppercut to the body scores for the Mexican. Now Estrada showing his own pocket skills as Chocolatito comes on but eats uppercuts and left hooks. Round closes with Estrada scoring, Chocolatito fires back but 10-9 Estrada, 39-37

Round 5: Chocolatito simply doesn’t seem to be taking punches as well as he needs to be here. Estrada very sharp, landing power even off the backfoot, but it’s not often you see Gonzalez be out-volumed and he is. Now Estrada pushing him back. Some nice bodywork by Chocolatito now, which he desperately needs, follows up with some headshots, but Estrada’s countering everything and his punches seem to be having the effect. Big right for Gonzalez to close the round, but 10-9 Estrada, 49-46

Round 6: Again, Chocolatito comes out pushing but a sharp left downstairs slows him up. He’s constantly applying pressure but just not throwing much. And when he does, Estrada slips or blocks most of it. Few headshots land in the second half of the round, this round a bit closer, but Estrada still answering everything. Really worring when Estrada overbalances and leaves an opening and Chocolatito just looks at him. Relentlesness is his thing, and it’s not there. 10-9 Estrada, 59-55

Round 7: Second half of the fight and the great Chocolatito has left himself a big hole. Doesn’t look like digging his way out of it just yet. Estrada peppering off the backfoot as this round goes on. Chocolatito does land a few as he starts to unload against the ropes, but ince again Estrada moves off. The uppercuts are a big factor here, they’re stopping Chocolato’s weaving head movement. As the round ends Estrada lands a straight right clean and they exchange. 10-9 Estrada, 69-64

Round 8: Gonzalez opens the round stalking and, for once in this fight so far, throwing with his accustmed volume. Estrada still countering but the defence looking better too from Gonzalez. He slows down briefly then catches Estrada with a clean left and forces him. Much more even now! Estrada thurds a bodyshot home but a clean uppercut and bodyshots land from Chocolatito. Estrada finishes the round with a nice uppercut, but Gonzalez’ best round by far. 10-9 Gonzalez, 78-74 Estrada

Round 9: Chocolatito pushes Estrada to the ropes, and he’s finally woken up here. Estrada fires back but now it’s his defence looking a bit leaky, whereas Gonzalez is catching far more of his work. It’s still fair to say Gonzalez is being more conservative with his volume than often, he’s picking his chances much better. Five-punch combination, set up by bodywork. He’s starting to really take over now and those combinations are starting to flow. Estrada fires back and closes strong, but 10-9 Chocolatito, 87-84 Estrada

Round 10: The round opens with more Chocolatito pressure, and Estrada’s head movement isn’t there as much. Gonzalez slips in some water in the corner and falls on his butt, pause while they clean that up. As they restart and Chocolatito in swarm mode now. Estrada firing back but this fight has turned good and proper. Estrada seeking to establish his jab, but as good as he is with that punch, it’s never been a jolting defensive punch for him. Estrada closes strong as Chocolatito backs off a bit, but 10-9 Gonzalez, 96-94 Estrada

Round 11: Estrada looking a bit sharper to start this round and Chocolatio not getting as close. Does a bit as the round goes on but Estrada slips most of the work. Much better round for El Gallo so far. Estrada very on the backfoot, but stemmed the flow somewhat. Chocolatio lands over the top and then a step-in jab. Estrada lands a couple of combinations as the round closes. Close round, 10-9 Estrada, 106-103

Round 12: It should be noted I have Chocolatito needing a knockout, but it being closer than this wouldn’t be weird at all. Chocolatito coming out like he’s not sure though, and they’re exchanging furiously. Estrada looks like he’s run a little dry on gas, which has been the story in all 3 fights. Chocolatito not quite as sharp defensively as in the middle rounds but landing plenty. Couple of bodyshots from Estrada slow Chocolatito down, then he gives himself some space at the end. 10-9 Chocolatio, 105-103 Estrada

It started a little slowly, but terrific work from Chocolatito to come back into it. BE scores it 105-103 Estrada.

Official scores: 114-114 draw, 116-112, 115-113 Estrada

Results

Main Event:

WBC super flyweight title: Juan Francisco Estrada SD Roman Chocolatito Gonzalez 116-112, 115-113, 114-114

WBC flyweight title: Julio Cesar Martinez SD Samuel Carmona 117-111, 116-112, 114-114

Super-middleweight: Diego Pacheco TKO2 Ricardo Adrian Luna

Flyweight: Cristofer Rosales UD10 Joselito Velazquez 97-93, 97-93, 97-93

Prelims:

Middleweight: Austin Williams UD Simon Madsen: 99-90, 99-90, 99-90

Super featherweight: Marc Castro UD8 Maickol Lopez Villagrana: 80-71, 80-71, 80-71

Super flyweight: Anthony Herrera TKO3 Juan Sequeira

Women’s super featherweight: Beatriz Ferreira TKO2 Carisse Brown