Seniesa Estrada wards off tough challenge from Leonela Yudica to retain titles and move towards Undisputed status

By: Kirk Jackson

It was a highly competitive, world championship fight, between the two top fighters and champions of the division.

On the eve of boxing’s biggest event, perhaps in several years, (Errol Spence Jr. vs. Terence Crawford), Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada (25-0, 9 KO’s) defended her WBC/WBA minimumweight world titles against Argentinian former world champion, Leonela Yudica (19-2-3, 1 KO), earning a tough, but unanimous decision Friday night at Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.

Estrada had to dip in her bag to pull this victory off.

Step back counters, presenting different angles to mount her attack – which included leading with hooks to the body and countering with hooks to the body, switching from orthodox to southpaw stances, implementing the high-guard at times to present different looks, feinting to set up shots from a closer and safer distance, it was a display of versatility.

In the post-fight interview with ESPN Estrada said, “I knew coming into this fight that she was a boxer who would move away from me and not come forward much. I knew I had to show something different.”

Estrada continued, “In my last fight, I fought a good champion who came forward and was aggressive, and I easily outboxed her. In this fight, she’s a boxer and a mover, and I showed that I can fight any type of style because my style is very versatile.”

“I definitely had to use my footwork. I had to use my feints and movements to make sure I was close enough to land punches and not get countered. I did get countered, of course. It’s a fight, so that’s going to happen. But I just continue to prove that I’m the best in the division.”

Some of the viewing audience may not be as familiar with Yudica, as she has primarily fought in Argentina, but as she displayed tonight, as a former champion, she’s a great fighter.

Yudica exhibited her long reach with great effectiveness.

She has a solid, quick jab and follow-up cross. She frequently landed short left hooks in between exchanges from Estrada and would catch Estrada with hooks and straight right hands as Estrada exited from the pocket at times.

Not pleased with the decision, the former champion expressed her discontent.

Yudica said, “I do not agree at all with the scorecards. I am convinced that nobody has hit her like I have hit her. If not, she can take off her hat and show how her face has been left.”

“I did a very good job. As I’ve said, nobody has hit her like I have hit her. I came here to fight a world champion. I knew who I was facing. I trained thoroughly. I planted my feet when I needed to. I exchanged when I needed to. It was a good fight, and I didn’t deserve this result.”

Yudica placed together a performance worthy of a rematch. Whether that transpires is another matter, as it appears the stars are aligned for an undisputed clash for Estrada before the year is over.

Enter Yokasta Valle.

Valle (28-2, 9 KO) current IBF and WBO minimum weight champion, by way of Costa Rica, is ready to unify the titles to place her bid in for undisputed, and Estrada is with it as well.

“I want Yokasta Valle. I’m the best in this division. I want to prove it by beating her,” said Estrada.

“She can just hand me those belts right now because when we fight it’s going to be bad for her.”

This appears to be next on the horizon, and as alluded to in the post-fight interview, this will also present Estrada the opportunity to exact some form or redemption and revenge against her former promoter Golden Boy Promotions, as Valle is a fighter under that promotion.