Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Milan Melindo & Evgeny Gradovich vs. Mauricio Munoz RBR

Interesting take. I actually thought Munoz's best round was the 9th, which is all he got on my card. (and once again, Gradovich rebounded with a dominant 10th just as he, as you say, did in the 7th after letting Munoz get a foot in the door in the 6th).

So at best you could make it 118-110 for the Argentinian, I guess. Still close to a whitewash.

 

Ref: Raul Caiz Sr.

Judges:
Takeshi Shimakawa (Japan)
Zoltan Enyedi (Hungary)
Rafael Ramos (Puerto Rico)

 

Yeah. Melindo is the sort I can see beating a Pingo Miranda in a shootout (or getting blasted himself, depending on the roll of the dice, who landed big first etc) so it's reasonable to say he could eventually secure himself a belt on the basis of the quality of some recent champs in the weight range...but a consummate boxer-puncher like Estrada ought to eat him up.

 

He fought on the Zou debut card. :good (on which Estrada upset Viloria...that undercard was sort of a coming out party for both of them)

He looked strong but limited.

 

Round 1

Estrada is floating around jabbing Melindo in the chest and chin. Melindo is picking up his lead heel and skidding his forefoot along the canvas, looking to set up a jab. Nice right hand by Estrada, slung up from behind his back and unseen by Melindo, who takes its brunt full-force but stands up to it admirably. Melindo keeps shuffling forward and finally gets in range as Estrada circles against the ropes. BIG LEFT HOOK BY MELINDO! He starts opening up but the bell rings.

10-9 Estrada but WHOA

A few more seconds of that and Melindo would've stolen it.

 

Round 2

Estrada is jabbing the body, darting in and then retracting his upper body behind the guard while keeping anchored with both feet. Nice left hook counter by Estrada as Melindo jabs straight in at him from a tensely held guard, shoulders hunched up. 1-2 by Estrada falling in, deflected off a stray Melindo jab with their fists ricocheting off each other. Melindo begins to mimic Estrada, bending his knees on the outside and throwing long jabs to the body. They hook the body at the same time. Estrada circles right out of the pocket and drops an overhand right on Melindo's temple. Estrada pops the jab while moving left, eluding Melindo.

10-9 Estrada

20-18 Estrada

 

Super close (and fun!) so far.