On June 30th, Beijing Time (this Sunday), current WBC super flyweight champion and two-division world titlist Juan Estrada (44-3, 28 KOs) will return to the ring after an 18-month absence, facing former two-division world champion and American rising star Jesse Rodriguez (19-0, 12 KOs) in Phoenix, Arizona. This is the most significant bout of the week in the world of boxing.
The 34-year-old Estrada boasts a professional record of 44 wins, three losses, with 28 knockouts, and is currently ranked number one by The Ring magazine at 115 pounds. Standing at 5’4″ with a reach of 5’5″, Estrada was also once ranked in The Ring’s top ten pound-for-pound list but has since dropped out due to lower fight frequency in recent years.
Estrada has previously captured world titles in both the flyweight and super flyweight divisions, defeating notable fighters such as Roman Gonzalez (twice), Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (in a rematch), Carlos Cuadras, Vic Darchinyan, and Celestino Caballero. However, his form remains uncertain since his victory over Roman Gonzalez in December 2022.
At just 24 years old, Jesse Rodriguez has an unblemished record of 19 wins, with 12 coming by way of knockout. He is currently ranked number one by BoxRec in the flyweight division and ninth in The Ring’s pound-for-pound rankings. With a height of 5’4″ and a reach of 5’7″, Rodriguez has held world titles in both flyweight and super flyweight categories. He has impressively defeated Cuadras, stopped Srisaket in eight rounds, and knocked out Edwards in nine, establishing himself early on in his career. Rodriguez has maintained a busy schedule and is favored in this match, with odds of 1-4.
On the same day, June 30th, there will be another important contest in Miami Beach, Florida, where WBO super lightweight champion and two-division world titlist Teofimo Lopez (20-1, 13 KOs) will defend his WBO title against Canadian boxer Steve Claggett (38-7-2, 26 KOs) in what will be Lopez’s second defense of his WBO 140-pound crown.
At 26 years old, Lopez defeated Josh Taylor (19-2, 13 KOs) last year to claim the WBO and The Ring Magazine super lightweight titles. In February, he narrowly won against American prospect Jeremias Ponce (17-2-1, 8 KOs) in a title defense. Despite the victory, Lopez slipped out of The Ring’s pound-for-pound top ten. He now seeks a convincing win to regain popularity.
Notably, Lopez also defeated Vasiliy Lomachenko (18-3, 12 KOs) in 2020 but lost his first unification bout to George Kambosos Jr. (21-3, 10 KOs) by decision. At 35, Claggett ranks eighth by BoxRec in the 140-pound division, standing 5’8″ tall with a reach of 5’10”. While his record doesn’t compare to Lopez’s in terms of quality opponents, Lopez might be targeting a knockout in this encounter.