Juan Francisco Estrada Roars Back With Dominant Victory Over Karim Arce In Bantamweight Debut

For more than a year, boxing fans had been wondering what would come next for Juan Francisco “El Gallo” Estrada. The former unified champion and one of Mexico’s most beloved fighters had been absent from the ring since a crushing loss to Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez. But on Saturday night, in front of a roaring hometown crowd in Hermosillo, Sonora, Estrada reminded the world exactly who he is—and what he’s still capable of.

In a highly anticipated return to action, Estrada secured a unanimous decision win over Karim Arce in a 10-round main event at the Centro de Usos Múltiples. Scores of 100-87, 99-88, and 98-89 all went in favor of Estrada, who knocked Arce down three times and proved that, even at age 35 and coming off a long layoff, he remains one of the most technically brilliant and dangerous fighters in the lower weight classes.

A Homecoming Fit for a Warrior

The atmosphere inside the arena was electric long before the first punch was thrown. This wasn’t just any fight—it was a hero’s return. Estrada, fighting for the first time since June 2023 and for the first time at bantamweight (118 lbs), received a hero’s welcome. Fans who had followed his storied career at 112 and 115 pounds now gathered to see if their champion could reignite the fire in a new division.

And he didn’t disappoint.

Testing the Waters Early

The opening round began cautiously. Karim Arce, a 27-year-old from Los Mochis with a recognizable last name—his uncle is former multi-weight champion Jorge Arce—came out sharp and confident. He didn’t seem intimidated by Estrada’s reputation or the rabid crowd. He even landed some effective shots, pressing forward with respectable energy.

Estrada, on the other hand, used the first round to shake off the rust from his nearly year-long layoff. He circled the ring, studied Arce’s movement, and slowly began to find his rhythm.

By round two, Estrada’s intentions were becoming clearer. His timing sharpened, and his famous body work started to make its appearance.

The First Knockdown: A Statement of Intent

Late in the second round, Estrada landed a vicious left hook to the body. Arce immediately buckled and dropped to a knee. Though he beat the count, the damage was done—Estrada had landed his signature punch, and the tone of the fight had been firmly set.

It wasn’t just the knockdown—it was the way Estrada closed the distance with speed, accuracy, and a hunter’s instinct. He sprinted across the ring after hurting Arce, unleashing a flurry of body shots that left no doubt he was back with a vengeance.

Interestingly, there was a noticeable delay before the third round started, giving Arce some extra time to recover. While the reason wasn’t clear, the pause didn’t derail Estrada’s momentum.

Arce Tries to Push Back

To his credit, Karim Arce didn’t fold. In the third and fourth rounds, he managed to land some counter shots, including a left hook that briefly caught Estrada’s attention. But while Arce had the heart, he didn’t have the power to keep Estrada off him.

The fifth round saw Estrada ramp up the pressure again. He pinned Arce against the ropes and unleashed another multi-punch combination to the body and head. Arce hung in there but was visibly hurt. Then came a brief momentum shift—Arce had a solid sixth round, capitalizing on Estrada’s brief lull in activity and landing several clean punches.

But Estrada, a master of adjustments, quickly reestablished control. In round seven, he used clever footwork and angles to neutralize Arce’s aggression. When Arce came forward, Estrada wasn’t there to be hit. When he stopped moving, Estrada pounced.

A Tactical Shift and Late Drama

Midway through the eighth round, Estrada threw a curveball: he briefly switched to a southpaw stance. Though unconventional for him, the switch was short-lived. Arce did manage to land a quick right hand during that moment, but Estrada quickly returned to his orthodox stance and regained command with classic 1-2 combinations upstairs.

By this point, a cut had formed over Estrada’s left eye, but it didn’t seem to impair his vision or strategy. Arce, sensing some urgency, pushed the pace in the eighth and ninth rounds and had a few decent moments. But it wasn’t enough to change the direction of the fight.

Then came the final round—and Estrada left no doubt.

Rounds Ten: A Grand Finale

Estrada closed the show in brutal fashion. With less than a minute left in the fight, he unleashed a barrage of punches that left Arce no room to breathe. A clean right hand sent Arce to a knee for the second time. Moments later, Estrada trapped him in the corner and dropped him again with a combination capped by yet another crisp right hand.

Though Arce bravely beat the count and made it to the final bell, the outcome was never in doubt. Estrada had scored three knockdowns, controlled most of the rounds, and shown superior technique, timing, and power.

A Triumphant Comeback After Career Uncertainty

Saturday’s victory marked Estrada’s first win since his unforgettable trilogy-closing victory over Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez in December 2022. That win capped off a historic rivalry and gave Estrada a 2-1 edge in one of the greatest trilogies in modern boxing history.

But things took a dark turn in June 2023 when Estrada was knocked out by Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez. Not only did he lose his WBC and lineal 115-pound titles, but he also endured a punishing defeat that led many to wonder if his time at the top was over.

For nearly a year, Estrada remained silent. Rumors of retirement circulated, but behind the scenes, the warrior was preparing for a new challenge—bantamweight.

And on Saturday night, he showed that the move to 118 pounds was the right one.

What’s Next for Estrada?

With this performance, Estrada has officially re-established himself as a contender in the bantamweight division. Though the 118-pound class is filled with talent—Naoya Inoue being the top name before moving up to 122—it’s now wide open for new faces to rise.

Whether Estrada chooses to pursue a world title next or takes another fight to stay busy, one thing is clear: he still has the tools, the heart, and the fanbase to make another run at the top.

A Glimpse at the Future: Camila Zamorano Impresses

On the undercard, rising Mexican atomweight star Camila Zamorano continued her rapid ascent. The 17-year-old outclassed former WBO champ Mika Iwakawa of Japan over 10 dominant rounds. Judges scored the fight 100-90 twice and 98-92 in favor of Zamorano, who improved to 12-0 with just one knockout but plenty of promise.

Zamorano is already being looked at as a future world champion and may challenge for a title within her next few fights.

Source: Juan Francisco Estrada drops Karim Arce three times, wins in return

Final Thoughts

Juan Francisco Estrada’s win over Karim Arce wasn’t just a return—it was a statement. After a difficult defeat and a long absence, Estrada returned not as a faded veteran, but as a sharpened warrior in a new division. He showcased his signature body attack, ring IQ, and relentless drive—reminding everyone why he’s considered one of the best Mexican fighters of his generation.

For fans in Hermosillo and beyond, it was more than just a fight—it was a celebration of resilience, legacy, and the enduring brilliance of El Gallo.