Juan Francisco Estrada

Juan Francisco Estrada Romero was born on April 14, 1990, in Puerto Peñasco, Sonora, Mexico, a small coastal city on the Sea of Cortez. Growing up in a working-class family in the desert region of northwestern Mexico, Estrada discovered boxing at a young age through the influence of older relatives and the deeply embedded boxing culture of his community. He began training at a local gym as a teenager and quickly demonstrated the quick hands, ring intelligence, and warrior spirit that would carry him to world championship glory.

Estrada's amateur career was brief but formative. He turned professional in 2008 at just 18 years old, fighting primarily in the Mexican state of Sonora. His early career was spent building experience on the regional circuit, where he compiled an impressive record while developing the technical skills that would distinguish him from other fighters in the lighter weight classes. By 2012, he had earned a shot at his first world title.

In November 2012, Estrada challenged Roman "Chocolatito" Gonzalez for the WBA light flyweight title in a fight that would launch one of boxing's greatest modern rivalries. Though Estrada lost a competitive unanimous decision, his performance against the then-unbeaten Gonzalez earned him widespread respect and signaled that he was destined for greatness. The fight was named Fight of the Year by multiple boxing publications and established Estrada as a must-watch fighter.

Estrada moved up to flyweight and captured his first world title in 2013, winning the WBO and WBA flyweight belts. He made multiple successful defenses, showcasing his improved power at the higher weight and his evolving ring craft. His fights were consistently entertaining, as Estrada combined Mexican aggression with a boxer's technical sophistication, an unusual and compelling combination in the lower weight divisions.

The move to super flyweight brought Estrada to the division where he would cement his legacy. He captured the WBC super flyweight title in 2019 with a victory over Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, avenging an earlier loss in their first encounter. The rematch victory was a tactical masterpiece, as Estrada outboxed the heavy-handed Thai champion over twelve rounds to claim the belt. It was his finest performance to date and demonstrated his ability to adapt his game plan for different opponents.

The long-awaited rematch with Roman Gonzalez finally materialized in March 2021, nearly nine years after their first meeting. The second fight lived up to every expectation, as Estrada edged Gonzalez by split decision in a breathtaking contest that rivaled their original encounter. The victory was deeply emotional for Estrada, who had carried the desire to avenge his first professional setback for nearly a decade. Their third fight in December 2022 completed the trilogy, with Estrada again winning by split decision in another closely contested battle.

Estrada's fighting style is a masterful blend of offense and defense. He possesses quick, accurate combinations that he throws from multiple angles, making him difficult to time and counter. His jab is one of the best in the lower weight divisions, serving as both a scoring tool and a range-finder for his power shots. Defensively, he uses subtle head movement and footwork to avoid incoming fire while staying within range to counter. His body work is methodical and accumulative, breaking down opponents over the course of twelve rounds.

What makes Estrada special among Mexican fighters is his willingness to box when necessary while retaining the ability to engage in firefights when the moment demands it. He can control the pace of a fight from the outside or trade in the pocket with equal effectiveness, a versatility that has frustrated a wide range of opponents throughout his career. His conditioning is exceptional, allowing him to maintain his output and accuracy in the championship rounds when many fighters fade.

Outside the ring, Estrada remains deeply connected to Puerto Peñasco and the Sonoran community that shaped him. He has invested in his hometown and supported local boxing programs that give young fighters the opportunities he once sought. His humility and work ethic have made him a beloved figure in Mexican boxing, even in a country that produces world champions with remarkable frequency.

Juan Francisco Estrada stands as one of the finest fighters of his generation in the lower weight classes. His trilogy with Gonzalez will be remembered as one of boxing's great rivalries, and his world titles across multiple divisions confirm his place among the elite fighters in the rich history of Mexican boxing.