Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada successfully defended her WBC/WBA minimumweight world titles

On July 28, 2023, Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada successfully defended her WBC/WBA minimumweight world titles against former world champion Leonela Yudica. The fight took place at the Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.

Estrada, a 31-year-old boxer from East Los Angeles, California, showcased her versatility by switching between orthodox and southpaw stances. While she landed quick combinations on Yudica, her aggressive offense left her susceptible to counters.

Yudica, who had a slight reach advantage, capitalized on Estrada’s openings by countering with left hooks and straight hands. As the rounds progressed, Estrada recognized the momentum shifting and intensified her attacks in the later rounds. Despite receiving several punches in return, she managed to land more blows, resulting in a back-and-forth battle.

Ultimately, Estrada successfully defended her unified crown with all three judges scoring the fight 97-93 in her favor. With this victory, Estrada now aims to become the undisputed champion in her weight class.

Estrada said, “I knew coming into this fight that she was a boxer who would move away from me and not come forward much. I knew I had to show something different. In my last fight, I fought a good champion who came forward and was aggressive, and I easily outboxed her. In this fight, she’s a boxer and a mover, and I showed that I can fight any type of style because my style is very versatile. 

“I definitely had to use my footwork. I had to use my feints and movements to make sure I was close enough to land punches and not get countered. I did get countered, of course. It’s a fight, so that’s going to happen. But I just continue to prove that I’m the best in the division.

“I want Yokasta Valle. I’m the best in this division. I want to prove it by beating her. She can just hand me those belts right now because when we fight it’s going to be bad for her.”

Yudica said, “I do not agree at all with the scorecards. I am convinced that nobody has hit her like I have hit her. If not, she can take off her hat and show how her face has been left.

I did a very good job. As I’ve said, nobody has hit her like I have hit her. I came here to fight a world champion. I knew who I was facing. I trained thoroughly. I planted my feet when I needed to. I exchanged when I needed to. It was a good fight, and I didn’t deserve this result.”

Cortes Stops Martinez:

Andres Cortes (20-0, 11 KOs) moved closer to earning a shot at the world title by defeating Xavier Martinez (18-2, 12 KOs) through a seventh-round TKO to successfully defend his US WBC silver junior lightweight championship.

From the beginning of the fight, Cortes launched powerful punches at the taller Martinez. Despite this, Martinez remained undeterred and utilized his longer reach to land straight shots in the third and fourth rounds.

However, Martinez’s aggressive approach played into Cortes’s hands, as he successfully connected with his overhand right, resulting in swelling below Martinez’s left eye. By the seventh round, another well-placed right hand caused a gash on the swollen area.

Acknowledging the severity of the cut, experienced trainer Robert Garcia decided that Martinez could not continue, leading to his withdrawal from the match before the eighth round.

Cortes said, “I was feeling myself, and I started finding a groove. When that happens, the fight’s over. It was a good stoppage. His eye was messed up. He was having trouble seeing with the eye because he kept blinking.

 “I want the winner of Emanuel Navarrete versus Oscar Valdez. I want any champion at 130. If not, I’m going to move up 135 and get all of those champions there.”

Lightweight: Philadelphia’s Nahir Albright (16-2, 7 KOs) scored an upset eight-round majority decision win against U.S. Olympian Karlos Balderas (14-2, 12 KOs). Balderas boxed calmly from a high guard and had success with his jab. However, his lack of punch output allowed Albright to win rounds as he threw and landed more consistently. Scores: 76-76 and 77-75 2x.

Junior Welterweight: Dominican Olympian Rohan Polanco (10-0, 6 KOs) overwhelmed Panamanian contender Cesar Francis (12-2, 7 KOs) en route to a fifth-round TKO. Polanco dropped Francis once with a left-right combo in the fourth and again with flurry in the fifth. Francis got back to his feet, but the referee deemed him unable to continue. Time of stoppage: 1:05.

Junior Lightweight: Emerging contender Abraham Nova (23-1, 16 KOs) blasted out former world champion Jonathan Romero (35-2, 19 KOs) in three rounds. Nova landed a picture-perfect right uppercut that floored Romero in the second. In the following round, he connected with a fight-finishing overhand right. Time of stoppage: 2:47.

Junior Featherweight: Subaru Murata (5-0, 5 KOs) extended his knockout streak with a stoppage win against Juan Centeno (8-9-3, 1 KO). Murata sent Centeno to the canvas in the second round with a left uppercut. Centeno struggled to recover, and he bowed out following the conclusion of round three.

Light Heavyweight: Dante Benjamin Jr. (7-0-1, 5 KOs) and William Langston (8-3-1, 5 KOs) fought to a six-round majority draw. Benjamin boxed a cautious fight and was able to connect early, but Langston was able to land shots of his own in the final two rounds to even things up. Scores: 58-56 Langston and 57-57 2x.

Lightweight: Former Team USA amateur standout Charlie Sheehy (7-0, 5 KOs) scored a third-round TKO against Kaylyn Alfred (4-5-2). Sheehy landed a lead left hook that dropped Alfred, who was unable to recover. Time of stoppage: :31.