Hand issues push back Juan Francisco Estrada’s next defense

Lingering hand issues have scrapped WBC super flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada’s plan to unify with WBA champ Kal Yafai on December 14th. “Gallito” tells ESPN Deportes that he intends to return in “January or February” of next year and offers three possibilities for his opponent: Yafai, IBF champ Jerwin Ancajas, or a rubber match with Srisaket Sor Rungvisai if neither of them are available.

Estrada (39-3, 26 KO) also raised the possibility of rematching Roman Gonzalez, claiming that “Chocolatito” is still a “great fighter.” Gonzalez took a competitive decision over Estrada in 2012.

Of the options, three of the four seem feasible, especially Yafai and Srisaket thanks to the lack of promotional conflicts. Gonzalez could be trickier, as he’s fought just once in the last two years, and Ancajas seems terribly unlikely. Besides being a Top Rank fighter with a scheduled defense on November 2nd, “Pretty Boy” has shown zero inclination to test himself against the division’s stronger competitors.

So long as we get to see Estrada in action against someone stronger than Dewayne Beamon, I’m happy. Not that he didn’t deserve a victory lap after the Srisaket fights, but him continuing to make the most of his athletic prime is more appealing.