American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas - For the WBC, WBA super flyweight titles, Juan Francisco Estrada (42-3, 28 KOs) won a twelve round split decision over Roman "Chocolatito" Gonzalez (50-3, 41 KOs). (photos by Ed Mulholland)
The scores were 115-113 for Gonzalez, 117-111 for Estrada and 115-113 for Estrada.
They initially met eight years ago, with Gonzalez winning a twelve round decision in the junior flyweight division.
Estrada came out being more aggressive and was pushing the pace of the fight in round one. Gonzalez started slow, but began to pick up the tempo as the round played out.
Estrada continued to fight at a rapid pace in the second and was putting his punches together well. Gonzalez really came on in the final minute with solid punches connecting. A lot of action in the third, Gonzalez was coming forward and forcing Estrada to fight fire with fire.
A fire fight at the start of the fourth as Gonzalez pressed forward with a lot of punches. Gonzalez landed several heavy blows during the exchanges. Gonzalez with really good inside work during the fifth, as he pressed forward and was landing combinations. Estrada was countering well in spots.
It was war in the sixth. They were trading big punches in close and Estrada had the advantage. They continued to trade in the seventh. Both boxers were landing big shots, but once again Estrada had the edge and was connecting well. More action in the eight. Estrada was working the jab often as Gonzalez was trying to push forward.
The fight slowed down in the ninth. Estrada was boxing well to keep Gonzalez at bay. In the final minute, Gonzalez surged with good shots. At the start of the tenth, Gonzalez was coming forward and landing very accurate punches and controlled much of the action.
They went back to war in the eleventh. It was give and take between the two fighters. They stood in close, fighting toe to toe in the twelfth. It was an all-out battle as they continue to exchange with Gonzalez closed strong with several hard connects.