The boxing world unites once again as two legendary super-flyweight fighters go head-to-head when Juan Francisco Estrada takes on Roman "Chocolottito" Gonzalez in a huge trilogy bout.
This time they'll be meeting with two titles on the line as The Ring and WBC super-flyweight belts are up for grabs in the Desert Diamond Arena in Arizona, having previously beaten each other once each in their careers and now looking to settle the rivalry.
We'll take a look at the fight, break it down as best we can and provide you with our best free boxing picks to see if we can earn you some extra cash for the holiday season.
Juan Francisco Estrada vs Roman Gonzalez information
- Saturday, December 3rd, 2022
- Desert Diamond Arena, Glendale, Arizona
- 22:00 ET
- WBC and The Ring super-flyweight championship
- 12x3 minute rounds
Juan Francisco Estrada vs Roman Gonzalez odds
This fight is sure to be an entertaining match up, and a fight that could legitimately go either way when looking at the odds for the bout.
Chocolottito opened as the favorite and has stayed that way throughout, with his status as one of the world's best pound-for-pound fighters cemented already.
Gonzalez is 51-3 professionally with 41 knockout wins, and ten decisions, with three of his last five wins coming via knockout. His last two victories came via unanimous decision, beating Israel Gonzalez and Julio Cesar Martinez, but a defeat to Estrada via split decision came in between those two victories and cost him the belts.
At best price -200 with BetUS sports betting, you would have to bet $200 to see a return of $100 if you believe he can exact his revenge on Estrada.
He'll be coming up against a real veteran of the sport in El Gallo, who has won his last seven fights in a row including stoppage wins against Victor Mendez, Dewayne Beamon and Carlos Cuadras. His last two wins came via decision, beating Gonzalez before defending his belts against Argi Cortes back in September.
Estrada has a professional record of 43-3 with 28 knockout wins, but only the previous three since March 2017.
At a best price of +175 with BetOnline sports betting, you can win $175 for every $100 you bet on Estrada to hold on to his titles.
Check out the best bonuses available with our top bookmakers here.
Juan Francisco Estrada vs Roman Gonzalez preview
The Gonzalez-Estrada matchup reminds me of the Marco Antonio Barrera-Erik Morales rivalry but without any of the bad blood between them.
When they share the ring, we can expect an elite-level war for 12 rounds because they are arguably the two best in the world at their weight class. They are evenly matched for the most part, but in my opinion, Gonzalez has just a little bit more to his game.
Gonzalez looked excellent in his last outing against JC Martinez, but after 15 years of battles and four different weight classes there is a chance that he could eventually hit a wall.
His legs, speed and reflexes were all there along with his usual high-volume attack. He is a fantastic counter puncher and has good power too, which his 41 knockouts show. But he's 35 now and if he gets beaten here then it's hard to imagine him coming back again for another run.
Gonzalez has the superior punch selection and technique. I still think he blocks and counters better than anyone in the sport, and he still mixes body shots in and can throw from either stance with equal danger.
As for Estrada he knows deep down that their most recent battle against each other should have been the one he won with ease, and while he got the nod on the cards he didn't deserve it on the night. Gonzalez picked him apart, but he's in his peak and Gonzalez is older now and surely starting to dwindle.
He has the work rate and skillset to put on a show, but unless he performs significantly better than he did the last time they fought each other it's a tough ask for him to be victorious.
Boxing picks: Back Chocolottito on the cards
This fight is going to be fireworks and a real war between two of the very best boxers in their generation.
Chocolotitto is in the end game of his career now no doubt, but he is still more than good enough to be able to land big shots and outwork his opponent who happens to be the champion of the world.
His volume of strikes and technique is still flawless, and Estrada isn't someone who hits hard enough that a big shot is likely to put the fight to an end in an instant. Whoever wins this fight will need to turn up and be on their best game, and perform that way for the full 12 rounds to succeed.
Based on their careers to date and their previous bouts against each other, I can't look past the elder statesman to be able to get the job done once again and secure the victory on the scorecards after yet another thrilling encounter.
