Photos: Juan Francisco Estrada Defeats Argi Cortes in Very Tough Defense

Hermosillo, Mexico - WBC 'franchise' super flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada (43-3, 28 KOs) had a much tougher task than expected, in winning a twelve round unanimous decision over Argi Cortes (23-3-2, 10 KOs). (photos by Ed Mulholland)

The scores were 115-112, 115-112 and 114-113 for Estrada.

estrada-cortes-fight (38)

Estrada started slow in the first two rounds, not throwing much and getting tagged at times. He really began open up and land his punches in the third. However, in the fourth it was Cortes landing numerous right hands that were landing flush on the veteran.

estrada-cortes-fight (13)

It was toe to toe fighting during the fifth, with Estrada bleeding from the nose and mouth. It was close action in the sixth, with both having moments of success. Estrada was really coming on in the seventh, as he began to connect with accurate punches and scored a knockdown with body shots. When Cortes got up, Estrada went for the finish but couldn't finish him off.

estrada-cortes-fight (33)

Estrada was in full control during the eight, as he banged away to the head and body of Cortes. In the ninth, Cortes seemed to have recovered and was making it competitive again with good shots connecting. Estrada was also connecting, with the harder punches. During the tenth, Estrada suffered a cut around his left eye. It was a give and take round with both boxers connecting well, but Cortes seemed to have the edge.

estrada-cortes-fight (40)

In the eleventh, Estrada was pressing forward and landing well for the first two minutes. Cortes started coming back with punches of his own in the final minute. The twelfth and final round saw plenty of trading with Estrada connecting with the better punches. It was give and take for most of the round.

estrada-cortes-fight (15) estrada-cortes-fight (35) estrada-cortes-fight (12) estrada-cortes-fight (11) estrada-cortes-fight (10) estrada-cortes-fight (28) estrada-cortes-fight (27) estrada-cortes-fight (24) estrada-cortes-fight (17) estrada-cortes-fight (25) estrada-cortes-fight (34) estrada-cortes-fight (36)

estrada-cortes-fight (37)

estrada-cortes-fight (16) estrada-cortes-fight (19) estrada-cortes-fight (22) estrada-cortes-fight (23) estrada-cortes-fight (18) estrada-cortes-fight (14) estrada-cortes-fight (31) estrada-cortes-fight (20) estrada-cortes-fight (26) estrada-cortes-fight (21) estrada-cortes-fight (32) estrada-cortes-fight (30) estrada-cortes-fight (39) estrada-cortes-fight (1) estrada-cortes-fight (4) estrada-cortes-fight (3) estrada-cortes-fight (2) estrada-cortes-fight (5) estrada-cortes-fight (6) estrada-cortes-fight (7) estrada-cortes-fight (9) estrada-cortes-fight (8)