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Mike Coppinger, ESPN
LAS VEGAS — Seniesa Estrada retained her WBA and WBC 105-pound titles with a unanimous decision victory over Leonela Yudica on Friday at the Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort.
All three judges scored the fight 97-93.
Estada used her height and reach advantage to outbox Yudica, sometimes switching stances in a tough title defense. Estrada was able to dig hard shots to the body in a fight that featured a lot of exchanges and many rounds that were difficult to score.
“I knew coming into this fight that she was a boxer who would move away from me and not come forward much,” said Estrada. “In my preparation, I knew I had to show something different in myself.”
She added: “Going into this fight, I knew she was a natural flyweight, so she is a lot bigger than me physically. … 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.”
Estrada (25-0, 9 KOs) captured a second minimumweight belt in March in a title-unification victory over Tina Rupprecht. The 31-year-old from East L.A. has made three title defenses at 105 pounds. Estrada also won a 108-pound title in July 2021 with a victory over Tenkai Tsunami, but returned to 105 pounds afterward. She is ESPN’s No. 6 pound-for-pound boxer.
Yokasta Valle, who holds the WBO and IBF titles at 105 pounds, was welcomed into the ring after Estrada’s win Friday night. A fight with Estada could take place next for the undisputed minimumweight championship.
“I want Yokasta Valle,” said Estrada, who is No. 1 in ESPN’s rankings, with Valle No. 2. “I’m the best in this division. I want to prove it by beating her. She can just hand me those belts right now because when we fight it’s going to be bad for her.”
Yudica (19-2-3, 1 KO), a longtime champion at 112 pounds, fought at 105 pounds for the first time.
The 34-year-old Argentine lost to Arely Mucino in October via split decision but rebounded to defeat Tamara Demarco in April, also via split decision. It was just her second fight outside of Argentina.
“I do not agree at all with the scorecards,” said Yudica. “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. … I exchanged when I needed to. It was a good fight, and it didn’t deserve this result.”