Brian Viloria Vs Juan Francisco Estrada - Fight Preview

By James McKnight @JamesMcKnight83

If you have never seen Brian 'Hawaiian Punch' Viloria fight before, then boxingheads, you are in for a real treat this weekend! On April 6, in the Chinese District of Macao, the 32-year-old Hawaiian will be defending his WBO flyweight and WBA Super World flyweight titles against Mexican, Juan 'El Gallo' Estrada. 

Viloria (32-3-0, 19 KO's), is a former IBF and WBC light-flyweight champion and has suffered 3 losses in his career to date which have all come in the 108lb light-flyweight division. 

Viloria's first defeat as a pro came in 2006 against Mexican Omar Nino Romero where Viloria lost his WBC light-flyweight title. 'Hawaiian Punch' lost for the second time as a pro in 2007 to another Mexican in Edgar Sosa. On that occasion, Viloria was aiming to reclaim the WBC light-flyweight title. Viloria's third and last defeat came in January 2010 to (no, not another Mexican), but Columbian, Carlos Tamara. That loss meant that Viloria had lost his IBF light-flyweight title.

Viloria loss to Tamara came in the 12th round due to exhaustion and his other 2 losses were via points. Since the Tamara defeat, Viloria has gone on a 6-fight winning streak which included winning the WBO and WBA Super World flyweight titles. If you have not seen Viloria vs Hernan Marquez (a WBO flyweight and WBA Super World flyweight title unification bout from last November), then I strongly recommend you do watch it as it was a thrilling contest. Viloria really demonstrated how quick, skillful and powerful he is. 

 

Viloria is currently ranked #1 in the 112lb flyweight division. 

Viloria's opponent on April 6 is young contender, Juan 'El Gallo' Estrada. The 22-year-old Mexican has fought 24 times as a pro and has won 22 times with 18 of those wins coming by way of knockout. 'El Gallo' can certainly bang a bit. He has already fought for World honours too. 

Estrada's first defeat as a pro came in 2011 in an 8 round contest against Juan Carlos Sanchez Jr. Since that loss, Estrada won 4 times in a row, but in November last year he took on Roman Gonzalez for the WBA World light-flyweight title. That fight ended in heartache for Estrada as he was defeated on points. Estrada was not to become a World champion and tasted defeat for the second time as a pro. 

The young Mexican now has a chance to upset the odds and become a 2-belt World champion if he overcomes Viloria. This is certainly not going to be an easy nights work for him though, but I do think the Mexican will give Viloria something to think about during the contest. In Viloria, Estrada faces an opponent that can punch and take a good shot and who is more experienced. 

My Prediction: 

Both fighters take centre ring with the younger Estrada taking the fight to Viloria. Estrada boxes and moves and combines his punches frequently, however Viloria is cuter with his shots and is more clinical. The first 4-6 rounds are quite competitive. 

Viloria's punches start to have more of an effect on his younger foe as the fight enters its second half.. Estrada is finding it difficult to keep Viloria at distance and is tiring. Estrada is sent to the canvas for the first time in the fight in round 9. Viloria's relentless pressure is proving too much to handle. Viloria sends Estrada down for a second time in round 11 and although Estrada gets to his feet he is exhausted and the referee calls an end to the contest. 

Viloria TKO 11 Estrada