Seniesa Estrada is now on the clock to justify her straddling title reigns in two weight divisions.

The unbeaten East Los Angeles native has been issued a five-day period to justify her current WBO junior flyweight title reign while campaigning in another division. The sanctioning body presented Estrada (21-0, 8KOs) and Golden Boy Promotions with a “Show Cause” to inform of her intentions at junior flyweight in order to avoid being stripped of the title.

Estrada is due to defend her WBA strawweight division versus unbeaten contender Maria Santizo (9-0, 5KOs) as part of a loaded DAZN show set for December 18 at AT&T Center in San Antonio.

“The WBO World Championship Committee hereby grants WBO Female Jr. Flyweight Champion, Ms. [Seniesa] Estrada five (5) days upon issuance of this notice letter to “Show Cause” why the Committee shall not declare the WBO Female Jr. Flyweight Championship Title vacant,” Luis Batista-Salas, chairman of the WBO Championship Committee noted to Golden Boy President Eric Gomez via official letter, a copy of which has been obtained by BoxingScene.com. “[H]olding (titles) simultaneously in different weight divisions—the WBA Minimum Weight and the WBO Female Jr. Flyweight Championships—(is) in contravention with WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests.

“As you are aware, Ms. Estrada is scheduled to defend her WBA Minimum Weight Championship Title against Ms. Santizo on Saturday, December 18, 2021, at the AT&T Center in San Antonio Texas. Per WBO Rules and Regulations, no WBO Champion may hold titles in more than one (1) weight division nor may hold a non-WBO Championship in a weight class that is different from the weight class of his WBO Championship.”

Estrada claimed the WBA strawweight belt with a ten-round virtual shutout of long-reigning champ Anabel Ortiz this past March 20 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. Less than four months later came a three-pound move up the scale, where Estrada outpointed Tenkai Tsunami to win the WBO junior flyweight title this past July 9 at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles.

A goal of Estrada has always been to become a three-division champion, hoping to achieve undisputed championship status at all three weights. Sanctioning body rules make it difficult enough when moving from one division to the next. The mission becomes more difficult when representing more than one organization, as is the case here.  

Golden Boy has clearly forged a path for Estrada to one day engage in a rematch with current WBC flyweight titlist Marlen Esparza (10-1, 1KO). Fighting for three different sanctioning body titles in as many weight divisions could become a non-starter without relinquishing at least one belt.

“Considering the foregoing, be advised that Ms. Estrada shall decide within the time frame stated herein which weight division will retain, or the WBO World Championship Committee will proceed in accordance with its governing rules,” notes Salas. “Failure to comply with this order will result in Ms. Estrada waiving all rights hereunder and having the Committee declaring the WBO Female Jr. Flyweight Championship Title “Vacant” “Ipso Facto” without further notice and/or hearing.

“Lastly, the Committee reserves the right to issue any rulings necessary, helpful, and convenient to accomplish the purposes, policies, and intent of the WBO Regulations.”

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox