Two sensible younger fighters, each of them 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 check, by far, however Claggett is a troublesome dude himself, and he additionally actually has nothing to lose so far as this battle goes, the “consultants” having just about written him off already. However as we all know, Teo is completely a fighter who can blow cold and hot.
Rodriguez, who cleaned up at 112 kilos, returns to 115 for the Estrada battle, 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Estrada a lot respect going into this one, seemingly a assured motion battle however dependant on how a lot 34 yr outdated Estrada has left relating to how lengthy the battle lasts. Nevertheless, Bam, 19-0(12) can be wanting 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 battle 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 battle with Terence Crawford. Estrada and Claggett are right here to spoil these lofty plans, and the occasion on the weekend, by scoring respective upsets.
On paper, Estrada – once more, one robust 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 of take benefit extra in opposition to Lopez if “The Takeover” has taken his eye off the ball right here. Lopez, who might be trying to preserve a agency maintain of his WBO light-welterweight belt, didn’t look too spectacular final trip, when he received a uninteresting resolution over Jamaine Ortiz, however Teo, 20-1(13) regarded nice in his battle 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Which model of Lopez will we see on Saturday? 35 yr outdated Canadian Claggett, 38-7-2(26) – and stopped simply as soon as – is coming off 9 straight wins, and once more, what has he acquired to lose by going for all-out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 prone 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 perhaps hurts him. Estrada has acquired underneath Bam’s pores and skin just a little, with Rodriguez saying his opponent hasn’t given HIM his simply due.
Two large names from the decrease weights, each believing they will and can obtain true greatness within the sport. And two dwell underdogs ready to tear issues up. So, will or not it’s wins for Bam and Teo, or is upset season on the town so far as how not less than one among these fights goes?
