By Robert Segal: Eddie Hearn says he’s planning on matching WBC super flyweight champion Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez against the winner of the December 3rd trilogy fight between Juan Francisco Estrada and Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez.
Hearn feels that the 22-year-old unbeaten Bam Rodriguez (16-0, 11 KOs) is ready to take on the likes of Chocolatito and Estrada. Of course, Hearn also believed that Julio Cesar Martinez was ready for Chocolatito (51-3, 41 KOs) last March, and he was embarrassed by him, losing by a 12 round unanimous decision.
It’s quite possible that if Chocolatito looks too formidable in beating Estrada (42-3, 28 KOs) on December 3rd, Hearn and the management for Bam Rodriguez will hold off putting him in with the talented Nicaraguan fighter.
As good as Rodriguez looked, beating a shot to pieces Srisaket Sor Rungvisai and Carlos Cuadras, his performances were nowhere near what we saw from Chocolatito in his last two fights against Rey Martinez and Estrada.
In comparison, Bam Rodriguez is still painting by the number system. He’s not the same type of talent as Chocolatito and never will be. Bam is a good fighter, but not that kind of talent.
Estrada looked just awful last Saturday, squeaking by Argi Cortes (23-3-2, 10 KOs) by a close 12 round unanimous decision in Mexico. Estrada looked like an over-the-hill fighter that had fought one time too many.
After that performance, putting him in with Chocolatito sounds like a really dumb idea. Other than for money’s sake, Estrada fighting Chocolatito is bad news.
“I agree with you. I thought Chocolatito edged that second fight. It was an unbelievable fight to watch live. The third fight can only be thrilling,” said Eddie Hearn to the DAZN Boxing Show about the December 3rd trilogy fight between Juan Francisco Estrada and Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez.
“Chocolatito is somehow going through the gears and getting better and better. It’s remarkable to watch. Cortes was brilliant last Saturday [against Estrada].
“It’s very difficult going into a warm-up fight where they’re going to announce the Chocolatito fight if you win. It’s hard to put in your best performances in those kinds of fights, but Estrada got the win.
‘I think Chocolatito is the favorite going into the rematch on December 3rd, and then I think the winner should fight Jesse Rodriguez in an unbelievable fight in one of the biggest fights out there in the sport.
“We’re going to announce that [Estrada vs. Chocolatito III] next week. It could be San Antonio. Jesse Rodriguez, all being well next week in Vegas [against Israel Gonzalez on September 17th], will also be on the co-main of that card as well. That’s a huge card.
“It’s difficult because Chocolatito is with us and Techin, Mr. Honda, and so is Estrada. He’s not a fan of putting his guys together sometimes, but Chocolatito against Jesse Rodriguez is just [huge].
“You’re talking about me as a fight fan, it’s probably one of the best fights in the sport, but we’ll see. He’s got to beat Estrada first. Maybe, he [Bam Rodriguez] fights Estrada. I can’t wait,” said Hearn.
