Juan Francisco Estrada Eyes Title Unification With Kal Yafai For Ruiz vs. Joshua 2 Event

Although Juan Francisco Estrada is preparing for his upcoming WBC super flyweight title defense this weekend, he does have an eye on a potential title unification.

Speaking to ESPN Deportes in Mexico, Estrada noted the potential rumors of him unifying with WBA champion Kal Yafai as soon as December. Estrada said the plan that is in play is for the two champions, both promoted by Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing is for a unification if Estrada defeats Dewayne Beamon next. 

“God-willing I win first, then I await a unification with Yafai. There’s rumors (of us) fighting on the Andy Ruiz vs. Anthony Joshua undercard and that’s where we’ll unify belts. If all goes well on August 24, those are the plans,” Estrada said.

Estrada first won the WBC title this past April when he defeated Srisaket Sor Rungvisai in the main event of a DAZN card in California. Coming into his first title defense against Beamon in Mexico on August 24, Estrada is a massive favorite. The fight will headline a Matchroom Boxing on DAZN card from Sonora, Mexico. 

A title unification has been something that Estrada had been wanting ever since he defeated Sor Rungvisai in their rematch earlier this year. Yafai has held the WBA title since 2016, making five total defenses. The British champion does not have a fight lined up although he has a mandatory challenger in Andrew Moloney waiting in the wings, but the sanctioning body has yet to order that bout. 

As for a potential title unification, such a fight would land on the undercard of Ruiz vs. Joshua 2, taking place in Saudi Arabia on December 7.