Two sensible younger fighters, each of them taking a look at even larger fights after their respective upcoming assignments…….is that this the bottom materials for an upset or two? Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez faces Mexican veteran and all-round warrior Juan Francisco Estrada in Glendale, Arizona, whereas Teofimo Lopez faces Steve Claggett in Miami.
Bam faces the harder take a look at, by far, however Claggett is a troublesome dude himself, and he additionally actually has nothing to lose so far as this struggle goes, the “specialists” having just about written him off already. However as we all know, Teo is totally a fighter who can blow cold and hot.
Rodriguez, who cleaned up at 112 kilos, returns to 115 for the Estrada struggle, the place the unbeaten “Bam” goes for the WBC belt. Rodriguez has proven Estrada a lot respect going into this one, seemingly a assured motion struggle however dependant on how a lot 34 12 months outdated Estrada has left in the case of how lengthy the struggle lasts. Nonetheless, Bam, 19-0(12) can be trying forward. Certainly, each Rodriguez and Lopez have designs on ruling the P-4-P rankings within the not too distant future.
Bam says his final dream struggle is a showdown with a “Monster” referred to as Naoya Inoue, whereas Teo says his final gig earlier than retiring (retirement absolutely nonetheless some years away, for each Teo and Bam) is a struggle with Terence Crawford. Estrada and Claggett are right here to spoil these lofty plans, and the celebration on the weekend, by scoring respective upsets.
On paper, Estrada – once more, one powerful hombre at 44-3(28) and by no means stopped – has the higher shot at pulling off the upset on Saturday (it wouldn’t be an enormous upset if Estrada topped Bam, however it will increase eyebrows), however Claggett may be capable to take benefit extra in opposition to Lopez if “The Takeover” has taken his eye off the ball right here. Lopez, who might be seeking to maintain a agency maintain of his WBO light-welterweight belt, didn’t look too spectacular final outing, when he received a uninteresting choice over Jamaine Ortiz, however Teo, 20-1(13) regarded nice in his struggle earlier than that, when he virtually routed Josh Taylor to take the belt he now defends.
Which model of Lopez will we see on Saturday? 35 12 months outdated Canadian Claggett, 38-7-2(26) – and stopped simply as soon as – is coming off 9 straight wins, and once more, what has he bought to lose by going for all-out on Saturday?
Bam isn’t the kind of man to underestimate an opponent, or so we expect, and Estrada isn’t more likely to catch an off-guard Rodriguez. However followers are eager to see how Bam responds if/when Estrada places it on him, tries to tough him up, and possibly hurts him. Estrada has bought beneath Bam’s pores and skin somewhat, with Rodriguez saying his opponent hasn’t given HIM his simply due.
Two massive names from the decrease weights, each believing they’ll and can obtain true greatness within the sport. And two dwell underdogs ready to tear issues up. So, will it’s wins for Bam and Teo, or is upset season on the town so far as how at the least one among these fights goes?
