Perhaps it is a mere coincidence, but the first Saturday in the final month of 2022 in the sport of Boxing is highlighted by two trilogy bouts ranging from one of the sport’s lightest divisions to it’s heaviest. While this observer has already penned a preview of the third encounter between WBC Heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury and longtime contender Dereck Chisora, the second trilogy bout that will take place on Saturday, December 3rd is one that is also highly anticipated. Yours truly is referring to the third battle between WBC Jr. Bantamweight world champion Juan Francisco Estrada and four-division world champion Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez. A fight that will headline a Boxing card from the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, AZ that can be seen globally on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN.
Although the Fury-Chisora third bout has come in an unconventional way with Fury having won the previous two fights, the Estrada -Gonzalez trilogy is the more standard set up when most think of a three-fight series between two fighters with each having won one bout. In their last encounter in March of last year, Estrada evened the score by avenging his November 2012 loss to Gonzalez by scoring a twelve round split decision to retain his WBC crown. The first two fight between these two were fought at an extremely high pace and it would be logical to assume that the third encounter might be similar. Why could one make that assumption?
While the possibility certainly exists that both fighters will look to make tactical adjustments having seen what each other can do after sharing the ring for two twelve round battles, sometimes the old adage of “Styles Make Fights” holds true in that no matter how many times two fighters face each other, the combat tends to be fought in a similar way. If there were slight differences between the first and second bouts it was that in fight two, Estrada used significantly more movement to offset the pressure of Gonzalez, which also allowed him to stay off the ropes. Something that he did not do consistently in the first fight.
Although the combat in fight two was fierce as was the case in the first encounter, the subtle difference in Estrada’s approach as well as seeming to get the upper hand in several of the exchanges resulted in a close victory for him. Now the task for the champion, which may be easier said than done, particularly in regard to a fight in the sport's lower divisions where fights are fought typically at an exhausting pace, will be to try and duplicate and improve on what proved to be a winning strategy last time against Gonzalez. In contrast, Gonzalez must look to cut off the ring and try to limit Estrada’s movement as best as he can.
One thing that a fan should keep in mind as this fight approaches is that both men have been through many wars including the two against each other. Although neither fighter is necessarily near the end of their respective careers, one should wonder when the accumulation of all the battles each fighter has been through will begin to show as they continue on with their careers. It should also not be overlooked that the careers of fighters that compete in Boxing’s lower weight classes tend to be shorter than those who fight at heavier weights with rare exceptions. Whether or not that can be attributed to the pace in which fights at lower weights tend to be fought is a subject to discuss and debate at another time.
One can only hope however, given the fierce battles that Estrada and Gonzalez have given us that both have enough left in them to produce what could, like the last two encounters, be a Fight of the Year candidate. Will chapter three between Juan Francisco Estrada and Roman Gonzalez be another classic? We will find out on Saturday, December 3rd.
“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”
Estrada vs. Gonzalez 3 takes place on Saturday, December 3rd at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, AZ. The fight as well as its full undercard can be seen globally on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN beginning at 5PM ET/2PM PT with Before The Bell, featuring preliminary bouts, followed by the main card beginning at 8PM ET/5PM PT (U. S. Times only.)
For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, availability around the world, local start times in your area, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com.
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