Now Rodriguez is where Cuadras and Sor Rungvisai were, at the top of the 115-pound division. And like them, he now has a target on his back.
That new dynamic begins on the Canelo Alvarez-Gennadiy Golovkin undercard Saturday in Las Vegas, where he’ll defend his belt against Israel Gonzalez.
“Of course, being a world champion is what everyone wants,” Rodriguez told Boxing Junkie. “… They want to take what I have. I can’t let that happen.”
The rapid ascension of Rodriguez (16-0, 11 KOs) was no fluke, although luck played a role in getting the fight with Cuadras.
Sor Rungvisai was scheduled to face Cuadras in a rematch of their 2014 fight but the Thai boxer had to pull out because of illness. Rodriguez agreed to step in on a week’s notice, which seemed suicidal given Cuadras’ track record.
Surprise surprise. Cuadras was competitive until he went down in Round 3, after which Rodriguez – too quick and slick for the Mexican – took over the fight and won by a wide decision to become the WBC’s secondary titleholder. (Juan Francisco Estrada is the “franchise” champion.)
Next up was former beltholder Sor Rungvisai, the bruising two-time conqueror of the great Roman Gonzalez. Too much for a 22-year-old upstart like Rodriguez, right? Wrong.
“Bam” not only beat Sor Rungvisai, he beat him up and ultimately knocked him out in the eighth round in June at Tech Port Center + Arena in San Antonio. No one had stopped Sor Rungvisai since his second pro fight, back in 2009.
“That was very special,” Rodriguez said of the victory. “People were saying on social media that Sor Rungvisai was too strong for me, that I was going to get knocked out. For me to be the one who stopped him shut everybody up, shut up the doubters. So it was special.
“And it was in my hometown. So it couldn’t have been better.”
Rodriguez didn’t celebrate long. He quickly got back into the gym to begin preparation for his next fight, which turned out to be the capable Gonzalez (28-4-1, 11 KOs).
Indeed, it seems there’s no chance that he’ll succumb to complacency. His goal wasn’t simply to become a world champion; he wanted to stay one.
He wouldn’t even talk about what opponents might lie beyond Gonzalez, although Estrada and Gonzalez are the biggest prizes in the division. His focus is set squarely on the task at hand.
“I’ve worked so hard for this fight,” he said. “I’ve worked just as hard for this fight, maybe harder. I feel better for this fight than I did for those two fights (Cuadras and Sor Rungvisai). I think my performance will be better than the last two fights.
“… My ultimately goal is to be a legend. When I retire I want people to look back and remember me, like Tyson and Ali, those legends.”
Now Rodriguez is where Cuadras and Sor Rungvisai were, at the top of the 115-pound division. And like them, he now has a target on his back.
That new dynamic begins on the Canelo Alvarez-Gennadiy Golovkin undercard Saturday in Las Vegas, where he’ll defend his belt against Israel Gonzalez.
“Of course, being a world champion is what everyone wants,” Rodriguez told Boxing Junkie. “… They want to take what I have. I can’t let that happen.”
The rapid ascension of Rodriguez (16-0, 11 KOs) was no fluke, although luck played a role in getting the fight with Cuadras.
Sor Rungvisai was scheduled to face Cuadras in a rematch of their 2014 fight but the Thai boxer had to pull out because of illness. Rodriguez agreed to step in on a week’s notice, which seemed suicidal given Cuadras’ track record.
Surprise surprise. Cuadras was competitive until he went down in Round 3, after which Rodriguez – too quick and slick for the Mexican – took over the fight and won by a wide decision to become the WBC’s secondary titleholder. (Juan Francisco Estrada is the “franchise” champion.)
Next up was former beltholder Sor Rungvisai, the bruising two-time conqueror of the great Roman Gonzalez. Too much for a 22-year-old upstart like Rodriguez, right? Wrong.
“Bam” not only beat Sor Rungvisai, he beat him up and ultimately knocked him out in the eighth round in June at Tech Port Center + Arena in San Antonio. No one had stopped Sor Rungvisai since his second pro fight, back in 2009.
“That was very special,” Rodriguez said of the victory. “People were saying on social media that Sor Rungvisai was too strong for me, that I was going to get knocked out. For me to be the one who stopped him shut everybody up, shut up the doubters. So it was special.
“And it was in my hometown. So it couldn’t have been better.”
Rodriguez didn’t celebrate long. He quickly got back into the gym to begin preparation for his next fight, which turned out to be the capable Gonzalez (28-4-1, 11 KOs).
Indeed, it seems there’s no chance that he’ll succumb to complacency. His goal wasn’t simply to become a world champion; he wanted to stay one.
He wouldn’t even talk about what opponents might lie beyond Gonzalez, although Estrada and Gonzalez are the biggest prizes in the division. His focus is set squarely on the task at hand.
“I’ve worked so hard for this fight,” he said. “I’ve worked just as hard for this fight, maybe harder. I feel better for this fight than I did for those two fights (Cuadras and Sor Rungvisai). I think my performance will be better than the last two fights.
“… My ultimately goal is to be a legend. When I retire I want people to look back and remember me, like Tyson and Ali, those legends.”
A critical look at the past week in boxing GOOD Keith Thurman (right) made a strong statement against Mario Barrios on Saturday. Ryan Hafey / Premier Boxing Champions No one knows in the wake of Keith Thurman’s unanimous-decision victory over Mario …
A critical look at the past week in boxing
GOOD
Keith Thurman (right) made a strong statement against Mario Barrios on Saturday. Ryan Hafey / Premier Boxing Champions
No one knows in the wake of Keith Thurman’s unanimous-decision victory over Mario Barrios on Saturday how he might fare against welterweight titleholders Terence Crawford, Errol Spence Jr. and Yordenis Ugas.
For one night, though, the former unified champion – now 33 – looked like a fighter who could hold his own against anyone.
Thurman had taken a 2½-year break from the sport in part because he needed time to recover from nagging injuries. He looked as fit as ever against Barrios, although he said afterward that he bruised a knuckle.
Any questions about whether he had lost a step were quashed. He largely has retained the quickness and athleticism for which he had been known.
If there was any ring rust after the long hiatus, it wasn’t obvious. He evidently sharpened his timing during intense sparring sessions during his training camp, just as he had told us beforehand.
And what about his inability to take out an opponent who was taking part in his first fight as a full-fledged welterweight, one that had been stopped by the smaller Gervonta Davis last time out?
Maybe Thurman didn’t have the gear required to finish the job after hurting Barrios several times. Maybe the fact they wore 10-ounce, instead of 8-ounce gloves – which was Barrios’ prerogative – was all the former 140-pound contender needed to survive the power of a naturally stronger man.
Afterward, Thurman gave himself a “C+ or a B-” on his performance. I’ll give him a solid B. He wasn’t spectacular by any means but he demonstrated against a solid opponent that he’s a legitimate contender in one of boxing’s glamour divisions.
That was essentially his goal, to show the world that “One Time” is back.
BAD
Barrios lost a wide decision but didn’t get blown out. Ryan Hafey / Premier Boxing Champions
The bad news for Barrios is that he has lost consecutive fights against elite opponents, one by a late knockout and the other by a wide decision. Back-to-back losses are never a positive. The good news is that he acquitted himself reasonably well in each setback.
On Saturday, he couldn’t catch up to his quicker, more-athletic opponent or match his work rate enough to give him a serious test, which is why he lost 10 rounds on two cards and nine on the third.
At the same time, he was competitive.
Barrios landed clean shots here and there throughout the fight, whether they were jabs or a power shots. He got to Thurman’s body, which is perceived to be his weakness. He landed one shot to the stomach in Round 8 that was so punishing Thurman took out his mouthpiece so he could breathe more easily.
And he demonstrated both fitness and toughness by surviving 12 rounds against a hard puncher in his first fight as a full-fledged 147-pounder.
Barrios is a good all-around fighter who simply ran into opponents who are among the best of their generation. In other words, he took two big swings and missed both times. He should be applauded for stepping to the plate.
Now he’ll go back to the gym, work with respected trainer Virgil Hunter on areas in which he can improve and come back a better, wiser boxer.
Don’t be shocked if Barrios emerges victorious the next time he faces a significant challenge.
WORSE
Jesse Rodriguez changed his life by beating Carlos Cuadras. Ed Mulholland / Matchroom
Carlos Cuadras a few weeks ago was in position to underscore his place as one of the stars in a deep 115-pound division. Now, after a series of events, he’s on the outside looking in.
Cuadras (39-5-1, 27 KOs) had been scheduled to take on rival Srisaket Sor Rungvisai on Saturday in Phoenix, with the winner set to face the winner of a third fight between Juan Francisco Estrada and Roman Gonzalez for junior bantamweight supremacy.
Then everything fell apart. Estrada pulled out with COVID-19 and was replaced by Julio Cesar Martinez. They fight on March 5. Then Sor Rungvisai had to withdraw as a result of illness, leaving organizers to scramble for a replacement.
In stepped relative unknown Jesse Rodriguez, a junior flyweight contender from San Antonio who was scheduled to fight on the undercard and had never faced anyone near Cuadras’ status.
Cuadras wasn’t expected to have much trouble with the 22-year-old southpaw. And then he did – a heap of trouble. The veteran couldn’t cope with Rodriguez’s quickness and ability to use it, leaving the favorite on the wrong end of a stunning one-sided decision.
The loser is out of the title picture, at least for the time being. The winner? Rodriguez now holds a secondary WBC title, below “franchise” champion Estrada. More important, his victory over a proven commodity makes him a major player in the division.
There’s no reason he shouldn’t fight the winner of the Gonzalez-Martinez fight or face one of the two other beltholders, Jerwin Ancajas (IBF) or Kazuto Ioka (WBO).
Rodriguez is already a great story after his accomplishment on Saturday. Imagine if he beats one of the above.
RABBIT PUNCHES
Middleweight contender Chris Eubank Jr. (32-2, 23 KOs) deserves credit for putting Liam Williams (23-4-1, 18 KOs) down four times (one knockdown was a push) and winning a wide decision Saturday in Cardiff, Wales, Williams’ home country. He took another step toward a shot at a world title. At the same time, aside for the rounds in which Williams went down, the fight was fought on roughly even terms. And Eubank’s assertion that he carried Williams so he could punish him didn’t ring true and undoubtedly rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. He has more work to do. … Claressa Shields (12-0, 2 KOs) gave a strong performance against Ema Kozin (21-1-1, 11 KOs) in her return to boxing, winning a shutout decision on the Eubank-Williams card. She was disappointed that she was unable to stop Kozin but that means next to nothing. Domination is domination. Next up should be a showdown with the only fighter to beat her in a boxing ring, Savannah Marshall (11-0, 9 KOs). The Briton topped Shields in an amateur fight in 2012, which Shields was 17. Their back and forth at ringside after the Shields-Kozin fight was brilliant theater that will help sell the fight. However, I’m not sure Marshall can compete inside the ropes with the current version of Shields, who has evolved into arguably the best female fighter on the planet. … Twenty-year-old Jesus Ramos (18-0, 15 KOs) gave the strongest performance of his career against rugged Vladimir Hernandez (13-5, 6 KOs) on the Thurman-Barrios card, withstanding Hernandez’s incessant pressure like a more-experienced fighter and stopping him in six rounds. Ramos, already ranked by one sanctioning body, is almost ready for a title shot. … Leo Santa Cruz (38-2-1, 19 KOs) made a successful return after his knockout loss to Gervonta Davis, shutting outKeenan Carbajal (23-3-1, 15 KOs) in a 10-round 130-pound bout on the Thurman-Barrios card. Santa Cruz, 30, looks as if he hasn’t lost anything. He maintained a high work rate and was particularly effective to the body, which is his specialty. … Luis Nery (32-1, 24 KOs) also bounced back from a knockout loss, defeating Carlos Castro (27-1, 12 KOs) in a 10-round 122-pound bout on the Thurman-Barrios card. Nery fought with an effective combination of controlled aggression and elusiveness. The Mexican won a split decision but I thought he won seven rounds. Nery was stopped by Brandon Figueroa in his previous fight.
A critical look at the past week in boxing GOOD Keith Thurman (right) made a strong statement against Mario Barrios on Saturday. Ryan Hafey / Premier Boxing Champions No one knows in the wake of Keith Thurman’s unanimous-decision victory over Mario …
A critical look at the past week in boxing
GOOD
Keith Thurman (right) made a strong statement against Mario Barrios on Saturday. Ryan Hafey / Premier Boxing Champions
No one knows in the wake of Keith Thurman’s unanimous-decision victory over Mario Barrios on Saturday how he might fare against welterweight titleholders Terence Crawford, Errol Spence Jr. and Yordenis Ugas.
For one night, though, the former unified champion – now 33 – looked like a fighter who could hold his own against anyone.
Thurman had taken a 2½-year break from the sport in part because he needed time to recover from nagging injuries. He looked as fit as ever against Barrios, although he said afterward that he bruised a knuckle.
Any questions about whether he had lost a step were quashed. He largely has retained the quickness and athleticism for which he had been known.
If there was any ring rust after the long hiatus, it wasn’t obvious. He evidently sharpened his timing during intense sparring sessions during his training camp, just as he had told us beforehand.
And what about his inability to take out an opponent who was taking part in his first fight as a full-fledged welterweight, one that had been stopped by the smaller Gervonta Davis last time out?
Maybe Thurman didn’t have the gear required to finish the job after hurting Barrios several times. Maybe the fact they wore 10-ounce, instead of 8-ounce gloves – which was Barrios’ prerogative – was all the former 140-pound contender needed to survive the power of a naturally stronger man.
Afterward, Thurman gave himself a “C+ or a B-” on his performance. I’ll give him a solid B. He wasn’t spectacular by any means but he demonstrated against a solid opponent that he’s a legitimate contender in one of boxing’s glamour divisions.
That was essentially his goal, to show the world that “One Time” is back.
BAD
Barrios lost a wide decision but didn’t get blown out. Ryan Hafey / Premier Boxing Champions
The bad news for Barrios is that he has lost consecutive fights against elite opponents, one by a late knockout and the other by a wide decision. Back-to-back losses are never a positive. The good news is that he acquitted himself reasonably well in each setback.
On Saturday, he couldn’t catch up to his quicker, more-athletic opponent or match his work rate enough to give him a serious test, which is why he lost 10 rounds on two cards and nine on the third.
At the same time, he was competitive.
Barrios landed clean shots here and there throughout the fight, whether they were jabs or a power shots. He got to Thurman’s body, which is perceived to be his weakness. He landed one shot to the stomach in Round 8 that was so punishing Thurman took out his mouthpiece so he could breathe more easily.
And he demonstrated both fitness and toughness by surviving 12 rounds against a hard puncher in his first fight as a full-fledged 147-pounder.
Barrios is a good all-around fighter who simply ran into opponents who are among the best of their generation. In other words, he took two big swings and missed both times. He should be applauded for stepping to the plate.
Now he’ll go back to the gym, work with respected trainer Virgil Hunter on areas in which he can improve and come back a better, wiser boxer.
Don’t be shocked if Barrios emerges victorious the next time he faces a significant challenge.
WORSE
Jesse Rodriguez changed his life by beating Carlos Cuadras. Ed Mulholland / Matchroom
Carlos Cuadras a few weeks ago was in position to underscore his place as one of the stars in a deep 115-pound division. Now, after a series of events, he’s on the outside looking in.
Cuadras (39-5-1, 27 KOs) had been scheduled to take on rival Srisaket Sor Rungvisai on Saturday in Phoenix, with the winner set to face the winner of a third fight between Juan Francisco Estrada and Roman Gonzalez for junior bantamweight supremacy.
Then everything fell apart. Estrada pulled out with COVID-19 and was replaced by Julio Cesar Martinez. They fight on March 5. Then Sor Rungvisai had to withdraw as a result of illness, leaving organizers to scramble for a replacement.
In stepped relative unknown Jesse Rodriguez, a junior flyweight contender from San Antonio who was scheduled to fight on the undercard and had never faced anyone near Cuadras’ status.
Cuadras wasn’t expected to have much trouble with the 22-year-old southpaw. And then he did – a heap of trouble. The veteran couldn’t cope with Rodriguez’s quickness and ability to use it, leaving the favorite on the wrong end of a stunning one-sided decision.
The loser is out of the title picture, at least for the time being. The winner? Rodriguez now holds a secondary WBC title, below “franchise” champion Estrada. More important, his victory over a proven commodity makes him a major player in the division.
There’s no reason he shouldn’t fight the winner of the Gonzalez-Martinez fight or face one of the two other beltholders, Jerwin Ancajas (IBF) or Kazuto Ioka (WBO).
Rodriguez is already a great story after his accomplishment on Saturday. Imagine if he beats one of the above.
RABBIT PUNCHES
Middleweight contender Chris Eubank Jr. (32-2, 23 KOs) deserves credit for putting Liam Williams (23-4-1, 18 KOs) down four times (one knockdown was a push) and winning a wide decision Saturday in Cardiff, Wales, Williams’ home country. He took another step toward a shot at a world title. At the same time, aside for the rounds in which Williams went down, the fight was fought on roughly even terms. And Eubank’s assertion that he carried Williams so he could punish him didn’t ring true and undoubtedly rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. He has more work to do. … Claressa Shields (12-0, 2 KOs) gave a strong performance against Ema Kozin (21-1-1, 11 KOs) in her return to boxing, winning a shutout decision on the Eubank-Williams card. She was disappointed that she was unable to stop Kozin but that means next to nothing. Domination is domination. Next up should be a showdown with the only fighter to beat her in a boxing ring, Savannah Marshall (11-0, 9 KOs). The Briton topped Shields in an amateur fight in 2012, which Shields was 17. Their back and forth at ringside after the Shields-Kozin fight was brilliant theater that will help sell the fight. However, I’m not sure Marshall can compete inside the ropes with the current version of Shields, who has evolved into arguably the best female fighter on the planet. … Twenty-year-old Jesus Ramos (18-0, 15 KOs) gave the strongest performance of his career against rugged Vladimir Hernandez (13-5, 6 KOs) on the Thurman-Barrios card, withstanding Hernandez’s incessant pressure like a more-experienced fighter and stopping him in six rounds. Ramos, already ranked by one sanctioning body, is almost ready for a title shot. … Leo Santa Cruz (38-2-1, 19 KOs) made a successful return after his knockout loss to Gervonta Davis, shutting outKeenan Carbajal (23-3-1, 15 KOs) in a 10-round 130-pound bout on the Thurman-Barrios card. Santa Cruz, 30, looks as if he hasn’t lost anything. He maintained a high work rate and was particularly effective to the body, which is his specialty. … Luis Nery (32-1, 24 KOs) also bounced back from a knockout loss, defeating Carlos Castro (27-1, 12 KOs) in a 10-round 122-pound bout on the Thurman-Barrios card. Nery fought with an effective combination of controlled aggression and elusiveness. The Mexican won a split decision but I thought he won seven rounds. Nery was stopped by Brandon Figueroa in his previous fight.
Jesse Rodriguez scored a stunning upset when he outpointed Carlos Cuadras on Saturday in Phoenix.
Jesse Rodriguez’s life has changed overnight.
The relatively unknown flyweight from San Antonio agreed a week ago to face respected former junior bantamweight champ Carlos Cuadras on Saturday at Footprint Center in Phoenix after Srisaket Sor Rungvisai pulled out because of illness.
Impossible task? Evidently not.
Rodriguez, only 22, put his Mexican foe down and outboxed him to win a wide decision and a secondary WBC 115-pound title in a stunning upset. Juan Francisco Estrada is the top WBC beltholder.
Cuadras (39-5-1, 27 KOs) got off to a strong start but he went down from a right uppercut in Round 3, after which the underdog took over. Rodriguez was too quick and too slick for the 33-year-old from Mexico City.
The scores were 117-110 (nine rounds to three), 117-110 and 115-112.
Cuadras has now lost consecutive fights, having been stopped by Estrada in the 11th round of what had been a war in October 2020. He appears to be out of the title picture in a deep division for the moment.
Meanwhile, Rodriguez (15-0, 10 KOs) is in the thick of it even though he wasn’t even an afterthought a week ago.
Jesse Rodriguez scored a stunning upset when he outpointed Carlos Cuadras on Saturday in Phoenix.
Jesse Rodriguez’s life has changed overnight.
The relatively unknown flyweight from San Antonio agreed a week ago to face respected former junior bantamweight champ Carlos Cuadras on Saturday at Footprint Center in Phoenix after Srisaket Sor Rungvisai pulled out because of illness.
Impossible task? Evidently not.
Rodriguez, only 22, put his Mexican foe down and outboxed him to win a wide decision and a secondary WBC 115-pound title in a stunning upset. Juan Francisco Estrada is the top WBC beltholder.
Cuadras (39-5-1, 27 KOs) got off to a strong start but he went down from a right uppercut in Round 3, after which the underdog took over. Rodriguez was too quick and too slick for the 33-year-old from Mexico City.
The scores were 117-110 (nine rounds to three), 117-110 and 115-112.
Cuadras has now lost consecutive fights, having been stopped by Estrada in the 11th round of what had been a war in October 2020. He appears to be out of the title picture in a deep division for the moment.
Meanwhile, Rodriguez (15-0, 10 KOs) is in the thick of it even though he wasn’t even an afterthought a week ago.
Carlos Cuadras is still dreaming of dominating the deep 115-pound division.
Carlos Cuadras was disappointed when he learned that Srisaket Sor Rungvisai pulled out of his fight this Saturday in Phoenix. And he’s determined to avenge two losses to rival Juan Francisco Estrada, including an 11th-round knockout in his most-recent bout.
However, his focus at the moment is squarely on unbeaten Jesse Rodriguez, who replaced Sor Rungvisai in the upcoming bout for a vacant secondary WBC title at Footprint Center (DAZN).
“I have no plans right now,” Cuadras told Boxing Junkie through a translator. “First, I have to walk away with my hand [raised] in victory. Then I’ll talk to my promoter, Mr. Honda. He knows the best decision for my career.
“I’m going to wait and see what he says. I’m ready for anything.”
Cuadras (39-4-1, 27 KOs) was ready for Estrada in their rematch, in October 2020. The Mexicans gave fans a memorable war before the WBC champ put Cuadras down twice in Round 11 and stopped him in Mexico City.
That was Cuadras’ first title fight since 2016, when Roman Gonzalez took the WBC belt from him. “Chocolatito” would lose it to Sor Rungvisai, who would then hand it over to Estrada.
Estrada is currently the WBC’s “franchise” champion, meaning he’s the sanctioning body’s top titleholder.
“I learned not to fall into his style,” said Cuadras, referring to what he took away from the Estrada fight. “My style is faster, I move my legs more. It was an error standing and exchanging with him when I know how to fight a different way.
“… If I fight my fight, I win a wide decision.”
Cuadras could get a third shot at Estrada, although things got complicated because of the coronavirus.
He was part of an informal tournament that was designed to produce the top champion at 115 pounds, him vs. Sor Rungvisai on Saturday and Estrada vs. Gonzalez on March 5. The winners would then have fought one another for junior bantamweight supremacy.
However, first Estrada and then Sor Rungvisai contracted COVID-19 and everything changed. Cuadras has Rodriguez (14-0, 10 KOs) on Saturday and Gonzalez will now fight respected flyweight champ Julio Cesar Martinez next month.
There are still compelling fights on the horizon, however. Cuadras would love a shot at the Gonzalez-Martinez winner or go directly into a third fight with Estrada. Both of those fights would give him a chance to win another full championship.
Cuadras probably is the least accomplished of the big four. He’s 1-3 in fights against them, the victory coming against Sor Rungvisai. Estrada is 4-2, Sor Rungvisai 3-2 and Gonzalez 2-3.
Cuadras is proud to be grouped with his rivals, who have produced a series of classic brawls. They’re collectively a sort of mini version of the great Four Kings, Roberto Duran, Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns and Ray Leonard.
And there are more fights to come among them, even as they continue to age. Cuadras is 33.
“It’s really an honor to be compared to those legends,” he said. “I want to move forward and continue to be compared to them. … I have two or three years or more. When I feel I’m in decline, I’ll say, ‘OK, this is the end.’ Look at Nonito Donaire, though. He’s a world champion at 39. And he gave us a great fight [against Naoya Inoue].
“I feel I can also keep going. I feel good, I feel strong. I would like to get all four belts in the division like Canelo [Alvarez]. That’s what I want to accomplish.”
Of course, he has to get past Rodriguez first. The brother of 115-pound contender Joshua Franco is on a roll, having stopped his last six opponents. However, he is taking a big step up in class against the experienced Cuadras. And he’s moving up in weight.
Easy win for Cuadras? He can’t afford to look at it that way with so much at stake.
“I know he’s less experienced than I am,” Cuadras said. “That could make him dangerous. He’s young (22). He has all the momentum. He won’t give up easily. … I know I have a tough test ahead of me.
“I won’t go in overconfident. I’ve worked too hard to achieve this win.”
Carlos Cuadras is still dreaming of dominating the deep 115-pound division.
Carlos Cuadras was disappointed when he learned that Srisaket Sor Rungvisai pulled out of his fight this Saturday in Phoenix. And he’s determined to avenge two losses to rival Juan Francisco Estrada, including an 11th-round knockout in his most-recent bout.
However, his focus at the moment is squarely on unbeaten Jesse Rodriguez, who replaced Sor Rungvisai in the upcoming bout for a vacant secondary WBC title at Footprint Center (DAZN).
“I have no plans right now,” Cuadras told Boxing Junkie through a translator. “First, I have to walk away with my hand [raised] in victory. Then I’ll talk to my promoter, Mr. Honda. He knows the best decision for my career.
“I’m going to wait and see what he says. I’m ready for anything.”
Cuadras (39-4-1, 27 KOs) was ready for Estrada in their rematch, in October 2020. The Mexicans gave fans a memorable war before the WBC champ put Cuadras down twice in Round 11 and stopped him in Mexico City.
That was Cuadras’ first title fight since 2016, when Roman Gonzalez took the WBC belt from him. “Chocolatito” would lose it to Sor Rungvisai, who would then hand it over to Estrada.
Estrada is currently the WBC’s “franchise” champion, meaning he’s the sanctioning body’s top titleholder.
“I learned not to fall into his style,” said Cuadras, referring to what he took away from the Estrada fight. “My style is faster, I move my legs more. It was an error standing and exchanging with him when I know how to fight a different way.
“… If I fight my fight, I win a wide decision.”
Cuadras could get a third shot at Estrada, although things got complicated because of the coronavirus.
He was part of an informal tournament that was designed to produce the top champion at 115 pounds, him vs. Sor Rungvisai on Saturday and Estrada vs. Gonzalez on March 5. The winners would then have fought one another for junior bantamweight supremacy.
However, first Estrada and then Sor Rungvisai contracted COVID-19 and everything changed. Cuadras has Rodriguez (14-0, 10 KOs) on Saturday and Gonzalez will now fight respected flyweight champ Julio Cesar Martinez next month.
There are still compelling fights on the horizon, however. Cuadras would love a shot at the Gonzalez-Martinez winner or go directly into a third fight with Estrada. Both of those fights would give him a chance to win another full championship.
Cuadras probably is the least accomplished of the big four. He’s 1-3 in fights against them, the victory coming against Sor Rungvisai. Estrada is 4-2, Sor Rungvisai 3-2 and Gonzalez 2-3.
Cuadras is proud to be grouped with his rivals, who have produced a series of classic brawls. They’re collectively a sort of mini version of the great Four Kings, Roberto Duran, Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns and Ray Leonard.
And there are more fights to come among them, even as they continue to age. Cuadras is 33.
“It’s really an honor to be compared to those legends,” he said. “I want to move forward and continue to be compared to them. … I have two or three years or more. When I feel I’m in decline, I’ll say, ‘OK, this is the end.’ Look at Nonito Donaire, though. He’s a world champion at 39. And he gave us a great fight [against Naoya Inoue].
“I feel I can also keep going. I feel good, I feel strong. I would like to get all four belts in the division like Canelo [Alvarez]. That’s what I want to accomplish.”
Of course, he has to get past Rodriguez first. The brother of 115-pound contender Joshua Franco is on a roll, having stopped his last six opponents. However, he is taking a big step up in class against the experienced Cuadras. And he’s moving up in weight.
Easy win for Cuadras? He can’t afford to look at it that way with so much at stake.
“I know he’s less experienced than I am,” Cuadras said. “That could make him dangerous. He’s young (22). He has all the momentum. He won’t give up easily. … I know I have a tough test ahead of me.
“I won’t go in overconfident. I’ve worked too hard to achieve this win.”
Also on the card: Jamie Mitchell vs. Carly Skelly, bantamweights (for Mitchell’s WBA title); Raymond Ford vs. Edward Vazquez, featherweights
Prediction: Cuadras UD
Background: Cuadras, the former 115-pound titleholder, was supposed to have faced Srisaket Sor Rungvisai in a much anticipated rematch on Saturday and titleholder Juan Francisco Estrada was slated to face rival Roman Gonzalez on March 5 in a mini-tournament. However, the party has been spoiled. Both Sor Rungvisai and Estrada pulled out of their fights because of illness. Rodriguez, a flyweight who had been scheduled to fight on Saturday’s card, agreed to step in this past weekend. And Gonzalez will face 112-pound champ Julio Cesar Martinez. Cuadras, 33, hasn’t held a major belt since 2016, when Gonzalez took it from him by decision. The Mexican is coming off an 11th-round knockout loss in a title challenge against Estrada in October 2020, his most-recent fight. Rodriguez, who had been scheduled to face Fernando Diaz, will be taking a significant step up in opposition. The southpaw from San Antonio was a good junior amateur who can box and punch. And he’s in a groove, having stopped his last six opponents. We’ll find out whether it’s too early for him to face a foe of Cuadras’ caliber and experience. Cuadras had been scheduled to fight Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, who pulled out after testing positive for COVID-19.
Also on the card: Jamie Mitchell vs. Carly Skelly, bantamweights (for Mitchell’s WBA title); Raymond Ford vs. Edward Vazquez, featherweights
Prediction: Cuadras UD
Background: Cuadras, the former 115-pound titleholder, was supposed to have faced Srisaket Sor Rungvisai in a much anticipated rematch on Saturday and titleholder Juan Francisco Estrada was slated to face rival Roman Gonzalez on March 5 in a mini-tournament. However, the party has been spoiled. Both Sor Rungvisai and Estrada pulled out of their fights because of illness. Rodriguez, a flyweight who had been scheduled to fight on Saturday’s card, agreed to step in this past weekend. And Gonzalez will face 112-pound champ Julio Cesar Martinez. Cuadras, 33, hasn’t held a major belt since 2016, when Gonzalez took it from him by decision. The Mexican is coming off an 11th-round knockout loss in a title challenge against Estrada in October 2020, his most-recent fight. Rodriguez, who had been scheduled to face Fernando Diaz, will be taking a significant step up in opposition. The southpaw from San Antonio was a good junior amateur who can box and punch. And he’s in a groove, having stopped his last six opponents. We’ll find out whether it’s too early for him to face a foe of Cuadras’ caliber and experience. Cuadras had been scheduled to fight Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, who pulled out after testing positive for COVID-19.
