Juan Francisco Estrada, the WBC super flyweight champion, faces a daunting challenge as he prepares to defend his title against Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez this Saturday night, June 29th, at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. The 34-year-old Estrada appears to be outmatched by the 24-year-old Rodriguez, who brings a significant advantage in youth, size, and activity. Estrada's last fight was a controversial decision win against Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez in December 2022, and his subsequent inactivity could severely impact his performance.

Chris Algieri, a boxing expert, highlighted Rodriguez's physical and strategic advantages over Estrada. Algieri pointed out that Rodriguez not only has the size advantage but also trains with an old-school mentality that complements his natural attributes. He acknowledged Estrada's legendary status and resilience, noting that Estrada has managed to avenge his previous losses, including his controversial bouts with Chocolatito. However, Algieri expressed doubt about Estrada's ability to overcome Rodriguez's youth and strength.

Estrada's record against Chocolatito is a contentious topic among boxing fans. Although Estrada officially won two of their three encounters, many believe that Chocolatito deserved the victory in their last fight. This contentious history, combined with Estrada's recent inactivity, casts doubt on his chances against Rodriguez. Fans and experts alike are skeptical of Estrada's ability to reclaim his past form and fend off the younger, more dynamic Rodriguez.

Watch Rodriguez vs. Edwards highlights: Watch

Rodriguez, on the other hand, has been preparing rigorously, even training with Chocolatito to hone his combination punching—an area that troubled Estrada in his past fights with Gonzalez. The anticipation is high for Rodriguez to demonstrate his skill and potentially usher in a new era by dethroning Estrada. This fight is seen as a potential passing of the torch, with Rodriguez poised to establish himself as the new dominant force in the super flyweight division.

Ultimately, the consensus is that Rodriguez is favored to win. His youth, size, and current form position him as the likely victor in this bout. While Estrada's experience and resilience cannot be discounted, the odds are heavily stacked against him.

And what do you think? Who will win?

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