By Ken Hissner: In Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico on DAZN Saturday, Fernando Beltran (Zanfer Promotions), Oscar De La Hoya (Golden Boy Promotions) and Eddie Hearn (Matchroom Boxing) put on a big card in the Main Event ex two The division world champion Juan Francisco Estrada defeated Argi Cortés in an all-Mexican event in his super flyweight defense.
In Co-Feature, WBA Women’s Featherweight World Champion Erika “Dinamite” Cruz won a rematch against Jelena Mrdjenovich.
In the Main Event, former WBA and WBC super flyweight world champion in two divisions, Juan Francisco Estrada, 43-3 (28), #114.6, from Mexico City, Federal District, MEX, Argi Cortés , 23-3-2 (10), #114.6, from Mexico City, Federal District, MEX, in 12 rounds.
In the first two rounds, Estrada used a jab with left hooks to the chin while Cortes responded well. In the third round, the action continued with the fans showing their joy with both boxers outside of Mexico City. They had their share of fans. Cortes responded well with a left hook to the chin in the last minute.
In the fourth round, Cortes scored a big victory with right hand after right, sometimes three at a time to Estrada’s chin. In the fifth round, a war broke out, with both throwing big shots to the head with little shots to the body.
In the sixth round, Cortes had Estrada in trouble in the closing seconds of the round, taking him to the ropes at the bell. In the seventh round, a left to the body from Estrada dropped Cortes for a count of 8. He managed to get through the round, but just barely.
In the eighth and ninth rounds, Estrada continued to pressure Cortes, who was retiring, with right hands to the head. Estrada’s left hook dominated the round with occasional right hands from Cortes in the tenth round.
In the eleventh round, Estrada used his left hooks while Cortes defended mostly with counter jabs and occasional rights. In the twelfth and final round, Estrada fought like the champion who is shaking Cortes with rights with little in return. Estrada attempted a knockout and Cortes needed one for victory.
The scores were 115-112 twice and 114-113. This writer 116-112.
In a rematch, WBA Women’s Featherweight World Champion, southpaw Erika “Dinamite” Cruz, 15-1 (3), #15 ¾, from Mexico City, Federal District, MEX, successfully defended her title by defeating Jelena Mrdjenovich, 41-12-2 (19), #125, from Edmonton, Alberta, CAN, in 10 x 2 rounds.
In the first round, Mrdjenovich came out swinging right hands to Cruz’s head. Midway through the round, Cruz landed a solid right hook to the chin to the roar of the crowd. In the second round, they both threw punches to the head.
In the third round, the fight continued to go back and forth. Mrdjenovich was warned for hitting behind the head. In the fourth round, a left hand from Cruz caused swelling under Mrdjenovich’s right eye.
In the fifth and sixth rounds, both had their moments, with Cruz finishing the stronger of the two except in the sixth when Mrdjenovich landed a big right hand to the chin. In the seventh round, Cruz got the best of the round in a close one.
In the eighth round, the action continued with Cruz rocking Mrjenovich with a right hand to the chin midway through the round. In round nine, Mrjenovich appeared to take a close round.
In the tenth and final round, both threw bombs, with Mrjenovich grabbing Flores and taking her to the canvas. Mfjenovich is 3-0 in rematches, but it looks like this one won’t be another one. The scores were 100-90 for all judges and 98-92 for this writer.
Eduardo “Rocky” Hernandez, 33-1 (30), #129 ½, of Mexico City, the WBC silver super featherweight international champion, impressed by stopping Jorge “Kan” Mata, 15-1-2 ( 10), #129 ½, from Tonalá, Jalisco, MEX, at 1:15 of the fifth round of ten scheduled.
Hernandez drove Mata around the ring in the first round with shots to the body and head. In the final twenty seconds, a Hernandez left to the head rocked Mata. Hernandez landed three right hands to the head in the closing seconds. In the second round, Mata came out, landing an overhand right hand to Hernandez’s head. Hernandez was in a shootout this round. In the closing seconds, Mata rocked Hernández with a left to the chin.
In the third round, swelling began to appear outside of both of Mata’s eyes early in the round. Hernandez controlled the action. A jab from Mata broke Hernandez’s head midway through the round.
In the fourth round, Hernandez would come in low with his hands at his sides, launching a ferocious body attack. There was one minute left and it was Mata’s turn, who landed four punches to Hernández’s head.
In the fifth round, Hernandez came out with bad intentions to end this round, pushing Mata around the ring, drawing blood from his nose near the end of the first minute, dropping Mata with a left hand to the body for a count of 8. referee Francisco Laveaga. The referee finally called a halt when Mata was on the ropes, helpless taking a left uppercut to the chin and snapping his head back when referee Laveaga saw enough, ordering a halt.
Flyweight Hector “Baby Bull” Flores Calixto, 20-1-4 (10), #107 ¾, of Tijuana, Baja California, lost a split decision to Sivenathi “Special One” Nontshinga, 11-0 (9), # 107 ½, from Reeston, Eastern Cape, RSA, 12 rounds for vacant IBF light flyweight world title, one drop in spread.
In the first round, Flores with his hands up used an effective jab that set Nontshinga back for the entire round. In the second round, after a minute on defense, Nontshinga hit a lead right to the chin and Flores went down for a count of 8. He fought well to recover for the rest of the round.
In the third round, Flores regained control until a minute remained when Nontshinga landed a right hand, stopping Flores in his tracks and forcing a clinch. Flores returned, taking the rest of the round. In the fourth round, it was all Flores with a vicious body attack that had Nontshinga trying to hang on. It was a great round for Flores.
In the fifth round, a clash of heads caused a cut to Flores’ forehead, drawing blood from his eyes. Flores pressured Nontshinga for the rest of the round. In the sixth round, Flores had Nontshinga close to giving up the body attack.
In the seventh round, they went toe-to-toe, landing punch after punch in three full minutes of punching. In the eighth round, the action continued with both on the verge of exhaustion. In the ninth round, with head butts, both never stopped throwing and landing punches. It was a nutrition battle.
In the tenth round, the cut from the fifth round that had been well held was reopened. In the eleventh round, Nontshinga came back well. In the 11th round, Nontshinga was warned twice for holding on as he tried to fight back when Flores won and walked off.
In the twelfth and final round, Flores’ left eye closed while Nontshinga was warned twice for using his forearm and head. They were still hitting the bell.
The scores were 116-111 for Nontshinga, 115-112 for Flores and 114-113 for Nontshinga, and this writer’s 114-113 for Flores.
Ring Announcer David Diamante
