Estrada defeats Cortes, retains WBC franchise belt

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Photo: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom

WBC franchise super flyweight champion Juan Francisco “Gallo” Estrada (43-3, 28 KOs) won by a harder than expected twelve round unanimous decision over unheralded Argi Cortes (23-3-2, 10 KOs) on Saturday night at the Centro de Usos Multiples in Hermosillo, Mexico. In his first action in 18 months, Estrada easily won the first three rounds. Cortes repeatedly connected with right hands in round four. Cortes bloodied Estrada’s nose in round five. Estrada got serious in round seven, dropping Cortes and landing numerous huge shots. After that, Cortez lost interest in toe-to-toe exchanges with el Gallo and mostly tried to box from outside as Estrada stalked. Scores were 115-112, 115-112, 114-113.

After the fight, it was announced that Estrada will fight Chocolatito Gonzalez in a rubber match on December 3.

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  • Great fight. Where do they find these judges??!!! Very close fight after 8. Probably 4-4 and a knockdown by el gallo. 2 judges had it 77-74 for Estrada and the other judge had it 77-74 for Cortes which was definitely off. 76-75 was probably right for Estrada. Then Cortes definitely wins 2 of the last 4 and the judge that had Cortes ahead gave all 4 rounds to el gallo lol. I mean this guy got like 8 out of 12 rounds wrong. It’s insane.

  • Great fight but I think Cortez edged it out. There’s too much potential money in a rematch with chocolatito and that’s why I think the decision went his way. We got to see the promoter Fernando Beltran in cortez corner after the fight congratulating him and possibly telling him he had his back for future fights and opportunities.

  • DAZN put on a helluva fight card tonight….this was a fans fight…as was the fight before it..Congrats to both fighters … quality entertainment… Estrada’s experience les him to a victory but Estrada had to fight every second of each round….fun to watch!!!!

  • Cortes was just an eight round kid that for some how got a title opportunity, and did more than good. I assume we will see a different Estrada when he faces Gonzalez, but won’t be enough to defeat him, because Gonzalez has been able to hurt him and always closing stronger.

  • just curious but the WBC “Franchise” belt can not be won its given per WBC website so why then was there a title fight? so if Cortes would have won what title would he have? come on WBC you guys create this mess lets clean it up so the dumb dumbs understand.

    • It can not be won but it can be lost, if Estrada loses (In the future) he will lose his franchise belt (Hence the “retains” in the headline) but the opponent will not get the franchise belt unless they requested it before the fight to the WBC (Like with Lopez vs Loma)

  • But my question was why did El Gallo fight basically, some random guy? He is an elite world champion.

  • BS CORTES WON THIS FIGHT ESTRADA ONCE AGAIN IS AWARDED A GIFT. GONZALEZ KNOCKS HIM OUT NEXT TIME

  • Correct decision. Smaller guys can’t afford to take long periods of time off after age 30.

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