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An overweight version of Shawn Estrada won tonight's Friday Night Fights televised opener, but wasn't impressive for a variety of reasons. Estrada had no problems, cruising to a decision win on scores of 80-72, 80-72, and 78-74 (which was interesting given that maybe, if you were kind, you could have given the third to Terrance Woods, but nothing else).
Estrada (14-0, 12 KO) battered Woods (9-4, 6 KO) in a predictable fight that was a mismatch even if Estrada hadn't come in 24 pounds over the original contracted weight, taking advantage of some ridiculous 15-pound "discrepancy" that the appalling Texas commission allows if one fighter weighs in at 176 pounds or more. (Allegedly, Estrada, who weighed in at 196 pounds, came back later and weighed in at 192. I have my doubts, but hey.)
Estrada, 26, looked sloppy and rusty early, throwing his hands wildly. But he could get away with that, because the 32-year-old Woods never had any chance, no matter what physical condition Estrada was in.
The fact that this fight happened at all was absurd. The fact that referee Robert Chapa couldn't find a good reason to stop it in the second, seventh, or eighth rounds was almost as bad.
Estrada still doesn't look like a blue-chip prospect, not that that's any surprise with this sort of fight. His future appears limited. It's up to him to change that, and first things first, he needs to get in shape and stay healthy.