The Convention Center in Providence, RI will be the site of the next step in Jason Estrada’s attempt at securing a meaningful fight in the heavyweight division. The March 9th main event has Estrada taking on Dominique Alexander (22-13 with 10 KOs), who he should be able to defeat handily. Estrada (17-4 with 4 KOs), who represented the US in the 2004 Olympics, has had a tumultuous career. After winning 15 of his first 16 fights Estrada has lost three of his next five. However, two of the losses were against top heavyweights contenders, Alexander Povetkin and Thomas Adamek. “I don’t like to make excuses but I felt that I won both the Adamek and Povetkin fights, said Estrada. The (Franklin) Lawrence fight [which Estrada lost] is what it is, but I’d love to get that rematch.”
The 31 year old is excited about the opportunity that has arisen with his promotional brand, Big Six Entertainment. “My pops started the company to help me and a couple of other fighters in our stable. I plan to promote when I call it a career probably when I’m 35.” Estrada claims that he is done going into other fighter’s backyards and on their promoter’s show unless the money is right. “At this point in my career boxing is a business, and I have to treat it that way,” added Estrada. I would like to fight three or four times in 2012 and then get something big. I will fight anybody in the division as long as the money is right!”
In today’s heavyweight division, boxers who have already been drilled by one of the Klitchko brothers are finding themselves in position for another shot. A guy like Estrada, who has been competitive with some of the top guys has yet to be mentioned. A crossroads fight with another American heavyweight, Chris Areola, seems like it would be a natural. More so after Arreola’s disparaging comments going into his own fight with Adamek. Arreola was quoted as saying “I’m no Jason Estrada,” before getting soundly beaten by Adamek.
Estrada laughs the quote off but anyone who has been around Big Six knows that he wants nothing more than to get Arreola in the ring. “I don’t want to call anyone out specifically,” said Estrada. “I am going to do my own thing and we’ll see what happens. I will be victorious on March 9th and keep winning, that’s all that I can control.”
Estrada's opponent, Alexander has fought several good heavyweights including Shannon Briggs, Odlanier Solis, Cedric Boswell and Deontay Wilder, each of who stopped him within two rounds or less. Alexander is, however, coming off a win over Clinton Boldrige, 9-18-1.
Estrada’s father/promoter/trainer Roland, believes that his son will get back into the heavyweight picture with a few more wins. “We need to get a couple more tune-ups, and we’ll be ready for a big fight,” said the elder Estrada. “We have been offered a couple of fights, Seth Mitchell, and Mariusz Wach, but the money just wasn’t right."
Dr. Roland Estrada, the CEO of Big Six Entertainment sees expansion likely. “We want to keep our fighters busy and expand outside of RI and run shows ideally at the CT Casinos. I’d also like to put the word out that Brian Barbosa (30-6 with 22 KOs), is ready for any of the top 10 super middleweights, we’ll even go down to 160 if the money is right,” said Estrada. “He is in a tough fight March 9th, but if he passes the test, we think that his style and record will be attractive to the top guys.” Barbosa is matched with awkward southpaw John Johnson (13-2 with 10 KOs), in the co-feature bout.
Estrada is at a crossroads in his career and can’t afford to lose in 2012. If he can put together a five or six fight winning streak the top of the division will assuredly come calling. The problem for Estrada has been winning that fight against a world class opponent. Estrada has not gotten any favors fighting Povetkin in Germany and Adamek in Newark and those odds are not likely to change the next time he gets an opportunity.
