“I’d like to tell you a quick story that personally fills me with tremendous pride,” began the Latin Sports Boxing promoter at WBO/WBA Flyweight Champ Juan Francisco “Gallo” Estrada’s recent press conference, “I have personally witnessed how Juan Francisco and his trainer (Alfredo Caballero) have continued to grow. I clearly remember it, as if it were just a short time ago, we would put on exhibits and fights in parking lots here in Puerto Peñasco where he would fight in headliner bouts locally, then Juan Francisco won Campeón Azteca (2011), then we went to Macao, China where he fought in the headliner fight and won (2013 vs. Brian “Hawaiian Punch” Vilorio), before defending his titles across Mexico.”
The pride of Puerto Peñasco, Juan Francisco “El Gallo” Estrada, world championship boxer and holder of WBO/WBA Flyweight titles since 2013, will now be taking on fellow Sonoran and former world flyweight champ Hernán “Tyson” Marquez on September 26th at the Puerto Peñasco Convention Center in a bout dubbed “La Pelea del Orgullo”, and also “It’s Personal” in English. This will be Gallito’s second time to bring world championship boxing to Puerto Peñasco as in April 2014 Juan Francisco defended his two titles against Filipino Richie Mepranum, which in fact was the first event held at Puerto Peñasco’s new Expo Center.
During a press conference held on Friday, August 28th in Puerto Peñasco, Gallito expressed his pleasure at being back in Puerto Peñasco and that he and his team are ready with less than a month out from the fight. He stated, “I am calm, relaxed, motivated…I feel confident in the training we’ve done”, which most recently has taken place at facilities in Nacozari, Sonora while left-handed Márquez readies himself in Mexico City. Interestingly, this fight comes as many boxing aficionados are left waiting for a rematch between El Gallito and Román “Chocolatito” González, who defeated Estrada in the Light Flyweight level by decision in 2012.
Inviting everyone to come out for the September 26th fights, the ZANFER boxing promoter stated his appreciation to local sponsor Tecate and particularly to Convention and Visitors Bureau President Héctor Vázquez del Mercado who, he stated, jumped right in “from the time I first called him to talk about more or less what we were planning.” He added the night, which is to include 8 fights in all, will also showcase the Light Flyweight (super-mosca) OMB championship bout leading up to the Estrada – Márquez match up. “It promises to be a well-rounded night with world championship fights. I think people should take advantage of these types of events given that they’re at the level of any large boxing city, and now that we have this here in Puerto Peñasco honestly let’s take advantage of it. Boxing commentators will be here, the whole Azteca team will be here, and all of the strength behind Francisco Estrada.”
Before taking a round of questions from local press, Juan Francisco again remarked, “Honestly I feel really calm, relaxed, motivated, I feel confident with the training we’ve done. We’re ready to get into the ring, and this will be my second time (as WBO/WBA champ) here in Puerto Peñasco against a fighter that, well, a fighter that can hit. Our training since May to now has been perfect. I am really happy because we fought here in Puerto Peñasco last year and it was full…because it’s a tremendous pride to represent Puerto Peñasco whether here, or when I was with TV Azteca, and when I was in China I was representing Puerto Peñasco more than anything, and Mexico. It feels great to be back in “mi tierra” and it’s going to be a good fight because it’s going to be between two Sonorans. Tyson was world champion, and this fight is going to be one for pride, Sonoran pride. The best one should win here, which will be me because we’ve done a lot of work and I consider myself much better than Tyson.”
With goals of drawing in over 4500 spectators, promoters ZANFER and Latin Sports announced tickets go on sale Monday, August 31st online at www.globalticket.com.mx as well as locally at area Circle Ks and La Fondita restaurant. Ticket prices will range from 400 pesos for general admission (about $25 US) to 2000 pesos (about $130 US) for Ringside VIP seats. Many area hotels are also planning special weekend packages for the world championship event.