Tag: Carlos Cuadras

Fight Week: Keith Thurman to make his return against Mario Barrios

Fight Week: Keith Thurman will make his return to the ring against Marios Barrios on Saturday.

FIGHT WEEK

Keith Thurman returns from a 2½-year layoff to face Mario Barrios. Carlos Cuadras, Chris Eubank Jr. and Claressa Shields also are in action on a busy weekend.

Keith Thurman (29-1, 22 KOs) vs. Mario Barrios (26-1, 17 KOs)

  • When: Saturday, Dec. 5
  • Time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Michelob Ultra Arena, Las Vegas
  • TV/Stream: Pay-per-view
  • Division: Welterweight
  • Rounds: 12
  • At stake: No titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Thurman 1½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Abel Ramos vs. Lucas Santamaria, welterweights; Leo Santa Cruz vs. Keenan Carbajal
  • Prediction: Thurman KO 10
  • Background: Thurman, a former 147-pound titleholder, is returning from a 2½-year layoff in an attempt to regain his prominence. The athletic, hard-punching Floridian was last in the ring in July 2019, when he lost his WBA belt in an upset against 40-year-old Manny Pacquiao. The long hiatus, mostly a product of the coronavirus pandemic, has allowed him time to recover from nagging injuries and make a fresh start. He has said he feels as fit as ever at 33. We’ll see whether ring rust is a factor in the fight. If he defeats Barrios, he said, he hopes to fight for a major title in his next fight. Barrios will be making his debut as a full-fledged welterweight. The 26-year-old from San Antonio is coming off an 11th-round knockout loss at junior welterweight against Gervonta Davis, who moved up in weight to fight him. He’s a good boxer-puncher who will have youth the fact he has been active on his side. Key questions for him: 1. How much does Thurman have left? 2. Will he be able to handle the power of a 147-pounder and do damage himself.

 

Carlos Cuadras (39-4-1, 27 KOs) vs. Jesse Rodriguez (14-0, 10 KOs)

  • When: Saturday, Feb. 5
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Footprint Center, Phoenix
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Junior bantamweight
  • Rounds: 12
  • At stake: Vacant WBC title
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • 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, 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.

 

Chris Eubank Jr. (31-2, 23 KOs) vs. Liam Williams (23-3-1, 18 KOs)

  • When: Saturday, Feb. 5
  • Time: 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff, Wales
  • TV/Stream: FITE
  • Division: Middleweights
  • Rounds: 12
  • At stake: No titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Eubank 2½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Claressa Shields vs. Ema Kozin, middleweights (for Shields’ IBF, WBA and WBC titles); Samuel Antwi vs. Conah Walker, welterweights; Chris Jenkins vs. Julius Indongo, welterweights
  • Prediction: Eubank UD
  • Background: Eubank is on a roll. The 32-year-old son of Chris Eubank has won five consecutive fights since he lost a unanimous decision to George Groves in 2018, including victories over Marcus Morrison and Wanik Awdijan last year. The fight against Williams is probably his most significant since he upset James DeGale by a unanimous decision in 2019. Eubank is seeking a fight against the winner of a projected title-unification bout between Gennadiy Golovkin and Ryota Murata if he wins on Saturday. Williams was outclassed by titleholder Demetrius Andrade in his most-recent bout, last April in Florida. He lost a wide decision in his first major title fight. However, Williams also was on a hot streak before that setback, with seven consecutive victories since back-to-back losses to Liam Smith in 2017. Williams is a solid boxer with heavy hands. His last 15 victories have come by knockout. In the co-feature, Claressa Shields (11-0, 2 KOs) returns to boxing after an 11-month hiatus. She’ll defend her middleweight titles against Ema Kozin (21-0-1, 11 KOs) of Slovenia.

Fight Week: Keith Thurman to make his return against Mario Barrios

Fight Week: Keith Thurman will make his return to the ring against Marios Barrios on Saturday.

FIGHT WEEK

Keith Thurman returns from a 2½-year layoff to face Mario Barrios. Carlos Cuadras, Chris Eubank Jr. and Claressa Shields also are in action on a busy weekend.

Keith Thurman (29-1, 22 KOs) vs. Mario Barrios (26-1, 17 KOs)

  • When: Saturday, Dec. 5
  • Time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Michelob Ultra Arena, Las Vegas
  • TV/Stream: Pay-per-view
  • Division: Welterweight
  • Rounds: 12
  • At stake: No titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Thurman 1½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Abel Ramos vs. Lucas Santamaria, welterweights; Leo Santa Cruz vs. Keenan Carbajal
  • Prediction: Thurman KO 10
  • Background: Thurman, a former 147-pound titleholder, is returning from a 2½-year layoff in an attempt to regain his prominence. The athletic, hard-punching Floridian was last in the ring in July 2019, when he lost his WBA belt in an upset against 40-year-old Manny Pacquiao. The long hiatus, mostly a product of the coronavirus pandemic, has allowed him time to recover from nagging injuries and make a fresh start. He has said he feels as fit as ever at 33. We’ll see whether ring rust is a factor in the fight. If he defeats Barrios, he said, he hopes to fight for a major title in his next fight. Barrios will be making his debut as a full-fledged welterweight. The 26-year-old from San Antonio is coming off an 11th-round knockout loss at junior welterweight against Gervonta Davis, who moved up in weight to fight him. He’s a good boxer-puncher who will have youth the fact he has been active on his side. Key questions for him: 1. How much does Thurman have left? 2. Will he be able to handle the power of a 147-pounder and do damage himself.

 

Carlos Cuadras (39-4-1, 27 KOs) vs. Jesse Rodriguez (14-0, 10 KOs)

  • When: Saturday, Feb. 5
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Footprint Center, Phoenix
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Junior bantamweight
  • Rounds: 12
  • At stake: Vacant WBC title
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • 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, 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.

 

Chris Eubank Jr. (31-2, 23 KOs) vs. Liam Williams (23-3-1, 18 KOs)

  • When: Saturday, Feb. 5
  • Time: 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff, Wales
  • TV/Stream: FITE
  • Division: Middleweights
  • Rounds: 12
  • At stake: No titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Eubank 2½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Claressa Shields vs. Ema Kozin, middleweights (for Shields’ IBF, WBA and WBC titles); Samuel Antwi vs. Conah Walker, welterweights; Chris Jenkins vs. Julius Indongo, welterweights
  • Prediction: Eubank UD
  • Background: Eubank is on a roll. The 32-year-old son of Chris Eubank has won five consecutive fights since he lost a unanimous decision to George Groves in 2018, including victories over Marcus Morrison and Wanik Awdijan last year. The fight against Williams is probably his most significant since he upset James DeGale by a unanimous decision in 2019. Eubank is seeking a fight against the winner of a projected title-unification bout between Gennadiy Golovkin and Ryota Murata if he wins on Saturday. Williams was outclassed by titleholder Demetrius Andrade in his most-recent bout, last April in Florida. He lost a wide decision in his first major title fight. However, Williams also was on a hot streak before that setback, with seven consecutive victories since back-to-back losses to Liam Smith in 2017. Williams is a solid boxer with heavy hands. His last 15 victories have come by knockout. In the co-feature, Claressa Shields (11-0, 2 KOs) returns to boxing after an 11-month hiatus. She’ll defend her middleweight titles against Ema Kozin (21-0-1, 11 KOs) of Slovenia.

Good, bad, worse: 115-pounders set standard for best-vs.-best action

Good, bad, worse: The elite 115-pounders setthe standard for best-vs.-best action.

A critical look at the past week in boxing

GOOD

The lightweights could learn from the junior bantamweights.

While the top 135-pounders talk incessantly about fighting one another, the 115-pounders are actually doing so, which isn’t lost on devoted fans.

Titleholder Juan Francisco Estrada and Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez this week finalized the third fight in their classic rivalry, which will take place March 5 in Temecula, California. Meanwhile, Srisaket Sor Rungvisai and Carlos Cuadras will meet for a second time on Feb. 5 in Glendale, Arizona. The winners of those fights are expected to face one another in one more can’t-miss showdown of elite warriors.

And get this: Estrada, Gonzalez, Sor Rungvisai and Cuadras have already fought one another a total of 10 times. How many elite fighters in any other division face each other that often?

I hope the lightweight stars – and anyone else reluctant to face best possible opposition – are paying attention.

Of course, the junior bantamweights are handled by people who are willing to work with one another. The top lightweights are more divided by promotional and managerial rivalries, which makes is difficult to make fights. That’s an ongoing problem in boxing, with no end in sight.

I also have a hunch the 135-pounders and their handlers are more concerned about the impact a loss might have on their earning power. Guess what? Fans have never cared about losses as long as they get competitive, entertaining fights.

Estrada, Gonzalez, Sor Rungvisai and Cuadras have a combined 15 losses and the coming fights will still do good business because fans know what they will get, great wars.

Give the fans what they want. It’ll pay off.

 

BAD

Luis Nunez prevented what would’ve been a miserable night for Dominican prospects Friday on Showtime.

Nunez (16-0, 12 KOs) knocked out Carlos Arrieta (14-1, 8 KOs) of Puerto Rico in the 10th and final round of their 130-pound bout, his second consecutive victory over a previously unbeaten opponent on national TV in the U.S.

He appears to have the ability and power to become a major player between 126 and 130 pounds.

That can’t necessarily be said for his countrymen Edwin De Los Santos and Starling Castillo, who also were unbeaten going into Friday’s card in Orlando, Florida.

De Los Santos (13-1, 12 KOs) looked like a beast in the opening round but soon faded when it became clear he couldn’t take out William Foster III as he had overmatched opponents in the Dominican Republic.

Foster withstood the early pressure and outworked De Los Santos the rest of the way to win a split decision that should’ve been unanimous.

Finally, short, stocky Otar Eranosyan (11-0, 6 KOs) stole the show by overwhelming Starling Castillo (16-1, 12 KOs) with relentless pressure, which made it difficult for the Dominican to do anything. The Georgian won a unanimous decision in the eight-round lightweight bout.

Those who watched “ShoBox: The New Generation” on Friday will want to see Eranosyan fight again. And he could become a player at 135 pounds. How does a showdown of “Pitbulls” – Eranosyan vs. Isaac Cruz – sound?

 

BAD

Jake Paul was just talking … er, posting. That’s what he does.

Tony Bellew blasted the YouTuber-turned-boxer after Paul declared on social media that he carries the sport of boxing. “You couldn’t carry the jockstrap of a proper BOXER son,” Bellew, the former cruiserweight champ, responded on Twitter.

I had the same reaction initially. I wanted to say to Paul, “A Canelo Alvarez workout would generate bigger pay-per-view numbers than your fights,” even if that’s not true. I thought better of it, though.

Paul’s shtick is pushing people’s buttons, that and doing outrageous things. That’s how he gets attention. And the attention translates to money, of which he has a great deal.

He’s smart. And, yes, he’s bringing news eyes to boxing. That can’t be bad.

Also, he has never claimed to be an elite boxer, only a beginner who works hard and is learning quickly. That’s true. He knows after a few years in the gym that he’ll lose if he faces a more-advanced boxer.

I’m impressed with Paul’s savvy. And I’m mildly amused by him, both out of the ring and in it. He definitely deserves some props for the viral shot that ended Tyron Woodley’s night last month.

My advice to Bellew and others who think (with only minimal justification) that Paul is hijacking boxing: Don’t take him too seriously. He’s not hurting anyone except the non-boxers he faces.

Good, bad, worse: 115-pounders set standard for best-vs.-best action

Good, bad, worse: The elite 115-pounders setthe standard for best-vs.-best action.

A critical look at the past week in boxing

GOOD

The lightweights could learn from the junior bantamweights.

While the top 135-pounders talk incessantly about fighting one another, the 115-pounders are actually doing so, which isn’t lost on devoted fans.

Titleholder Juan Francisco Estrada and Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez this week finalized the third fight in their classic rivalry, which will take place March 5 in Temecula, California. Meanwhile, Srisaket Sor Rungvisai and Carlos Cuadras will meet for a second time on Feb. 5 in Glendale, Arizona. The winners of those fights are expected to face one another in one more can’t-miss showdown of elite warriors.

And get this: Estrada, Gonzalez, Sor Rungvisai and Cuadras have already fought one another a total of 10 times. How many elite fighters in any other division face each other that often?

I hope the lightweight stars – and anyone else reluctant to face best possible opposition – are paying attention.

Of course, the junior bantamweights are handled by people who are willing to work with one another. The top lightweights are more divided by promotional and managerial rivalries, which makes is difficult to make fights. That’s an ongoing problem in boxing, with no end in sight.

I also have a hunch the 135-pounders and their handlers are more concerned about the impact a loss might have on their earning power. Guess what? Fans have never cared about losses as long as they get competitive, entertaining fights.

Estrada, Gonzalez, Sor Rungvisai and Cuadras have a combined 15 losses and the coming fights will still do good business because fans know what they will get, great wars.

Give the fans what they want. It’ll pay off.

 

BAD

Luis Nunez prevented what would’ve been a miserable night for Dominican prospects Friday on Showtime.

Nunez (16-0, 12 KOs) knocked out Carlos Arrieta (14-1, 8 KOs) of Puerto Rico in the 10th and final round of their 130-pound bout, his second consecutive victory over a previously unbeaten opponent on national TV in the U.S.

He appears to have the ability and power to become a major player between 126 and 130 pounds.

That can’t necessarily be said for his countrymen Edwin De Los Santos and Starling Castillo, who also were unbeaten going into Friday’s card in Orlando, Florida.

De Los Santos (13-1, 12 KOs) looked like a beast in the opening round but soon faded when it became clear he couldn’t take out William Foster III as he had overmatched opponents in the Dominican Republic.

Foster withstood the early pressure and outworked De Los Santos the rest of the way to win a split decision that should’ve been unanimous.

Finally, short, stocky Otar Eranosyan (11-0, 6 KOs) stole the show by overwhelming Starling Castillo (16-1, 12 KOs) with relentless pressure, which made it difficult for the Dominican to do anything. The Georgian won a unanimous decision in the eight-round lightweight bout.

Those who watched “ShoBox: The New Generation” on Friday will want to see Eranosyan fight again. And he could become a player at 135 pounds. How does a showdown of “Pitbulls” – Eranosyan vs. Isaac Cruz – sound?

 

BAD

Jake Paul was just talking … er, posting. That’s what he does.

Tony Bellew blasted the YouTuber-turned-boxer after Paul declared on social media that he carries the sport of boxing. “You couldn’t carry the jockstrap of a proper BOXER son,” Bellew, the former cruiserweight champ, responded on Twitter.

I had the same reaction initially. I wanted to say to Paul, “A Canelo Alvarez workout would generate bigger pay-per-view numbers than your fights,” even if that’s not true. I thought better of it, though.

Paul’s shtick is pushing people’s buttons, that and doing outrageous things. That’s how he gets attention. And the attention translates to money, of which he has a great deal.

He’s smart. And, yes, he’s bringing news eyes to boxing. That can’t be bad.

Also, he has never claimed to be an elite boxer, only a beginner who works hard and is learning quickly. That’s true. He knows after a few years in the gym that he’ll lose if he faces a more-advanced boxer.

I’m impressed with Paul’s savvy. And I’m mildly amused by him, both out of the ring and in it. He definitely deserves some props for the viral shot that ended Tyron Woodley’s night last month.

My advice to Bellew and others who think (with only minimal justification) that Paul is hijacking boxing: Don’t take him too seriously. He’s not hurting anyone except the non-boxers he faces.

Schedule: Juan Francisco Estrada-Roman Gonzalez III set, Joe Smith Jr. has new foe

Schedule: Juan Francisco Estrada-Roman Gonzalez III is set for March 5. Also, 175-pound champ Joe Smith Jr. has a new foe.

The boxing schedule became more robust over the past few days. Among the updates:

  • Steve Geffrard replaced Callum Johnson as light heavyweight beltholder Joe Smith’s Jr.’s opponent on Jan. 15 (ESPN).
  • Super middleweight contender Daniel Jacobs will face John Ryder on Feb. 12 (DAZN).
  • Middleweight contender Jaime Munguia will take on D’Mitrius Ballard on Feb. 19 (DAZN).
  • Juan Francisco Estrada will defend his junior bantamweight title against Roman Gonzalez in their third fight on March 5 (DAZN).
  • Welterweight contender Vergil Ortiz Jr. will face Michael McKinson on March 19 (DAZN).
  • Featherweight titleholder Kiko Martinez will defend his belt against Josh Warrington in a rematch on March 26 (DAZN).
  • Srisaket Sor Rungvisai will fight Carlos Cuadras in a battle of junior bantamweight contenders on Feb. 5 (DAZN). On the same card, junior middleweight Jessie Vargas will face Liam Smith.

The schedule is updated regularly. Check out the latest version here or below.

Schedule

Schedule: Juan Francisco Estrada-Roman Gonzalez III set, Joe Smith Jr. has new foe

Schedule: Juan Francisco Estrada-Roman Gonzalez III is set for March 5. Also, 175-pound champ Joe Smith Jr. has a new foe.

The boxing schedule became more robust over the past few days. Among the updates:

  • Steve Geffrard replaced Callum Johnson as light heavyweight beltholder Joe Smith’s Jr.’s opponent on Jan. 15 (ESPN).
  • Super middleweight contender Daniel Jacobs will face John Ryder on Feb. 12 (DAZN).
  • Middleweight contender Jaime Munguia will take on D’Mitrius Ballard on Feb. 19 (DAZN).
  • Juan Francisco Estrada will defend his junior bantamweight title against Roman Gonzalez in their third fight on March 5 (DAZN).
  • Welterweight contender Vergil Ortiz Jr. will face Michael McKinson on March 19 (DAZN).
  • Featherweight titleholder Kiko Martinez will defend his belt against Josh Warrington in a rematch on March 26 (DAZN).
  • Srisaket Sor Rungvisai will fight Carlos Cuadras in a battle of junior bantamweight contenders on Feb. 5 (DAZN). On the same card, junior middleweight Jessie Vargas will face Liam Smith.

The schedule is updated regularly. Check out the latest version here or below.

Schedule

Video: Mannix, Mora: Who was better, Estrada or ‘Chocolatito’?

Juan Francisco Estrada and Roman Gonzalez gave sensational performances last Saturday night in Mexico City to set up a rematch between them. Estrada survived an early knockdown to stop rival Carlos Cuadras in the 11th round and retain his junior …

Juan Francisco Estrada and Roman Gonzalez gave sensational performances last Saturday night in Mexico City to set up a rematch between them.

Estrada survived an early knockdown to stop rival Carlos Cuadras in the 11th round and retain his junior bantamweight title. In the fight before that, “Chocolatito,” looking like a vintage version of himself, dominated overmatched Israel Gonzalez to win a unanimous decision in defense of his 115-pound belt.

Who gave a better performance that night?

In this episode of Jabs with Mannix and Mora, courtesy of DAZN, hosts Chris Mannix and Sergio Mora answer that question.

Here’s what they had to say.

[jwplayer gZ4iDYpu]

 

 

Video: Mannix, Mora: Who was better, Estrada or ‘Chocolatito’?

Juan Francisco Estrada and Roman Gonzalez gave sensational performances last Saturday night in Mexico City to set up a rematch between them. Estrada survived an early knockdown to stop rival Carlos Cuadras in the 11th round and retain his junior …

Juan Francisco Estrada and Roman Gonzalez gave sensational performances last Saturday night in Mexico City to set up a rematch between them.

Estrada survived an early knockdown to stop rival Carlos Cuadras in the 11th round and retain his junior bantamweight title. In the fight before that, “Chocolatito,” looking like a vintage version of himself, dominated overmatched Israel Gonzalez to win a unanimous decision in defense of his 115-pound belt.

Who gave a better performance that night?

In this episode of Jabs with Mannix and Mora, courtesy of DAZN, hosts Chris Mannix and Sergio Mora answer that question.

Here’s what they had to say.

[jwplayer gZ4iDYpu]

 

 

Good, bad, worse: Estrada, Gonzalez, Cuadras, Sor Rungvisai keep giving

Juan Francisco Estrada, Roman Gonzalez, Carlos Cuadras and Srisaket Sor Rungvisai have given us one gem after another.

A critical look at the past week in boxing

GOOD

Carlos Cuadras (left) and Juan Francisco Estrada gave fans a gem on Friday. Ed Mulholland / Matchroom Boxing

Boxing fans aren’t likely to see another era like that of the Four Kings, Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran, Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns. But we could be witnessing the reign of the Four Princes.

Roman Gonzalez, Juan Francisco Estrada, Srisaket Sor Rungvisai and Carlos Cuadras have given us a series of high-level, action-packed classics over the past eight years that have brought unusual focus to the littlest fighters and rolls on.

That includes Friday night in Mexico City, where Estrada and Cuadras engaged in a brutal back-and-forth brawl in their rematch that ended when Estrada scored an 11th-round knockout.

The Four Princes have fought one another in a total of nine fights that couldn’t have been much more dramatic. And, with the exception of the second fight between Sor Rungvisai and Gonzalez (a brutal fourth-round knockout), they have generally been highly competitive.

The standings in the nine fights reflect how well matched they are: Sor Rungvisai and Estrada are 3-2, Gonzalez is 2-2 and Cuadras is 1-3. Each of the bouts seemed more entertaining than the last.

The latest installment, on Friday, was an example of that. Estrada and Cuadras gave us an engaging fight in 2017, which Estrada won by a narrow decision, but their brawl at Gimnasio TV Azteca was better. Estrada went down in Round 3 but survived that and a determined effort by Cuadras to put his rival down twice and stop him in Round 11 to retain his 115-pound title.

Estrada, No. 10 on Boxing Junkie’s pound-for-pound list, proved his superiority over Cuadras but the loser was a worthy challenger and underscored his place among these great little men.

And it appears we’re not finished. Estrada and Gonzalez, who outpointed Estrada in 2012, have agreed to meet for a second time next year in a title-unification bout. And Rungvisai, waiting in the wings, wants the winner of that fight.

The Four Princes know what it takes to keep us entertained.

***

BAD

“Chocolatito” landed punches from all angles and to all parts of Israel Gonzalez’s body. Ed Mulholland / Matchroom Boxing

This item is “bad” only for those who were hoping that Israel Gonzalez could give Roman Gonzalez significant resistance on the Estrada-Cuadras card. He couldn’t.

“Chocolatito,” thought by some to be finished after his losses to Sor Rungvisai only to bounce back and regain a title, looked like a vintage version of himself against his taller, quicker, but overmatched opponent.

The Nicaraguan icon applied relentless, machine-like pressure from the opening that seemed to belie his age – 33 – given the stamina required to fight in that fashion. The winner threw 1,241 punches, an average of more than 100 per round, according to CompuBox. That’s the third highest total in his career.

Israel Gonzalez, a good fighter who gave a solid account of himself in a loss to then-titleholder Khalid Yafai in 2018, gave a spirited effort and had some good moments but couldn’t get anything going consistently in the face of his opponent’s pressure.

“Chocolatito” is no the fighter who climbed to the top of the pound-for-pound lists. How could be at an age when most fighters his size are in obvious decline or well into second careers? He’s been a pro for more than 15 years, after all.

That said, he obviously has rebounded from his setbacks against Sor Rungvisai and the devastating loss of his trainer and father figure Arnulfo Obando. He remains a threat to beat anybody.

Estrada, a bit younger and fresher at 30, probably will be favored to beat Gonzalez when they meet in their rematch. I think the Mexican will win. But we’d be foolish to underestimate Gonzalez. The old fighter who annihilated Yafai to regain a title and dominated Israel Gonzalez in Mexico City remains one of the best fighters in the world.

***

WORSE

Injuries are commonplace in boxing but this one was particularly gruesome.

Twenty-one-year-old Benjamin Hussain was fighting Ben Mahoney on Thursday in Brisbane, Australia, when a left hook from Mahoney dislodged Hussain’s mouth piece. Soon blood began streaming from his mouth.

The broadcasters speculated that he had cut his tongue. Nope. Turns out he broke his jaw yet continued to fight for several more rounds.

Finally, after Round 6, the ring doctor decided that it was too dangerous for Hussain to continue and the fight was stopped. Hussain complained but the doctor made the right decision.

“Your jaw is broken, mate. I mean it’s badly broken. We’ve got to stop it,” the doctor told Hussain.

No one can question Hussain’s toughness. How he managed to carry on fighting with his jaw as damaged as it was is anyone’s guess. We can question why the fight was allowed to continue into the sixth round in light of the injury.

That wasn’t the only notable event on the card. Heavyweight Justis Huni made history by becoming the first male fighter to win the Australian title in his pro debut, as he stopped Faiga Opelu in seven rounds in the main event.

Huni had been a top amateur. He won a bronze medal at the 2019 World Championships. And now he’s one to watch in the professional ranks.

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Good, bad, worse: Estrada, Gonzalez, Cuadras, Sor Rungvisai keep giving

Juan Francisco Estrada, Roman Gonzalez, Carlos Cuadras and Srisaket Sor Rungvisai have given us one gem after another.

A critical look at the past week in boxing

GOOD

Carlos Cuadras (left) and Juan Francisco Estrada gave fans a gem on Friday. Ed Mulholland / Matchroom Boxing

Boxing fans aren’t likely to see another era like that of the Four Kings, Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran, Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns. But we could be witnessing the reign of the Four Princes.

Roman Gonzalez, Juan Francisco Estrada, Srisaket Sor Rungvisai and Carlos Cuadras have given us a series of high-level, action-packed classics over the past eight years that have brought unusual focus to the littlest fighters and rolls on.

That includes Friday night in Mexico City, where Estrada and Cuadras engaged in a brutal back-and-forth brawl in their rematch that ended when Estrada scored an 11th-round knockout.

The Four Princes have fought one another in a total of nine fights that couldn’t have been much more dramatic. And, with the exception of the second fight between Sor Rungvisai and Gonzalez (a brutal fourth-round knockout), they have generally been highly competitive.

The standings in the nine fights reflect how well matched they are: Sor Rungvisai and Estrada are 3-2, Gonzalez is 2-2 and Cuadras is 1-3. Each of the bouts seemed more entertaining than the last.

The latest installment, on Friday, was an example of that. Estrada and Cuadras gave us an engaging fight in 2017, which Estrada won by a narrow decision, but their brawl at Gimnasio TV Azteca was better. Estrada went down in Round 3 but survived that and a determined effort by Cuadras to put his rival down twice and stop him in Round 11 to retain his 115-pound title.

Estrada, No. 10 on Boxing Junkie’s pound-for-pound list, proved his superiority over Cuadras but the loser was a worthy challenger and underscored his place among these great little men.

And it appears we’re not finished. Estrada and Gonzalez, who outpointed Estrada in 2012, have agreed to meet for a second time next year in a title-unification bout. And Rungvisai, waiting in the wings, wants the winner of that fight.

The Four Princes know what it takes to keep us entertained.

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BAD

“Chocolatito” landed punches from all angles and to all parts of Israel Gonzalez’s body. Ed Mulholland / Matchroom Boxing

This item is “bad” only for those who were hoping that Israel Gonzalez could give Roman Gonzalez significant resistance on the Estrada-Cuadras card. He couldn’t.

“Chocolatito,” thought by some to be finished after his losses to Sor Rungvisai only to bounce back and regain a title, looked like a vintage version of himself against his taller, quicker, but overmatched opponent.

The Nicaraguan icon applied relentless, machine-like pressure from the opening that seemed to belie his age – 33 – given the stamina required to fight in that fashion. The winner threw 1,241 punches, an average of more than 100 per round, according to CompuBox. That’s the third highest total in his career.

Israel Gonzalez, a good fighter who gave a solid account of himself in a loss to then-titleholder Khalid Yafai in 2018, gave a spirited effort and had some good moments but couldn’t get anything going consistently in the face of his opponent’s pressure.

“Chocolatito” is no the fighter who climbed to the top of the pound-for-pound lists. How could be at an age when most fighters his size are in obvious decline or well into second careers? He’s been a pro for more than 15 years, after all.

That said, he obviously has rebounded from his setbacks against Sor Rungvisai and the devastating loss of his trainer and father figure Arnulfo Obando. He remains a threat to beat anybody.

Estrada, a bit younger and fresher at 30, probably will be favored to beat Gonzalez when they meet in their rematch. I think the Mexican will win. But we’d be foolish to underestimate Gonzalez. The old fighter who annihilated Yafai to regain a title and dominated Israel Gonzalez in Mexico City remains one of the best fighters in the world.

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WORSE

Injuries are commonplace in boxing but this one was particularly gruesome.

Twenty-one-year-old Benjamin Hussain was fighting Ben Mahoney on Thursday in Brisbane, Australia, when a left hook from Mahoney dislodged Hussain’s mouth piece. Soon blood began streaming from his mouth.

The broadcasters speculated that he had cut his tongue. Nope. Turns out he broke his jaw yet continued to fight for several more rounds.

Finally, after Round 6, the ring doctor decided that it was too dangerous for Hussain to continue and the fight was stopped. Hussain complained but the doctor made the right decision.

“Your jaw is broken, mate. I mean it’s badly broken. We’ve got to stop it,” the doctor told Hussain.

No one can question Hussain’s toughness. How he managed to carry on fighting with his jaw as damaged as it was is anyone’s guess. We can question why the fight was allowed to continue into the sixth round in light of the injury.

That wasn’t the only notable event on the card. Heavyweight Justis Huni made history by becoming the first male fighter to win the Australian title in his pro debut, as he stopped Faiga Opelu in seven rounds in the main event.

Huni had been a top amateur. He won a bronze medal at the 2019 World Championships. And now he’s one to watch in the professional ranks.

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