UniMas Quick Picks

Rodriguez Jr. and Fajardo look to settle the score

Francisco Rodriguez Jr. vs. Jomar Fajardo: It was just over two months ago that Francisco Rodriguez Jr. (16-2-1, 11 KO) and Jomar Fajardo (14-5-2, 7 KO) first squared off in the ring.  That fight ended in a disappointing draw so the two junior flyweights decided to do it again, this time hoping for a clear victor at the end of their 10 round bout on UniMas.  Just looking at their resumes Rodriguez Jr. looks like the much better fighter.  He has faced a much higher level of opposition including one of the best in the sport, Roman Gonzalez.  As for Fajardo he has faced a string of tomato cans with losing records and the best fighter he has seen would probably be Rodriguez Jr..  Also the lone knockout loss suffered by Rodriguez Jr. came against Gonzalez while Fajardo has been knocked out by fighters with records of 14-5-5, 6-34-2, and 6-2-1.  The first meeting of these junior flyweights took place in a phone booth and both took a lot of punishment.  Rodriguez Jr. is an orthodox fighter who doesn't have much of a jab.  What he does have is a nice left hook which he shortens up on the inside.  Also Rodriguez Jr. goes to the body very well with both his left hook and right hand.  Fajardo meanwhile is also an orthodox fighter who also has a solid left hook.  However his right hand is very wild whether he throws it overhand or as an uppercut and that could get him into some trouble.  Rodriguez Jr. was supposed to win the first fight and this time around he will get things right and come away with the win via 8th round stoppage.


Aaron Herrera vs. Wilfrido Buelvas: The co-feature of Saturday's card on UniMas will be an important one for both men involved.  Aaron Herrera (27-3-1, 17 KO) is 2-2-1 in his past five bouts and is looking to string a few wins together in order to get a another title shot.  Wilfrido Buelvas (15-3, 9 KO) is lost has last two fights and has only gone over eight rounds twice in his career one of which was a loss to veteran Humberto Soto.  Herrera is a 24-year-old orthodox boxer with fast hands and a strong jab.  That jab lets him work well from the outside where he likes to stay and land his strong right hand.  Herrera doesn't fight as well on the inside but he does throw a nice short left hook when he gets in close.  As for Buelvas he is a southpaw but also likes to fight from the outside with a stiff jab.  The problems for Buelvas start when he stops throwing his jab.  He has a winging left hand that goes about a mile out of its way before it gets to its target.  Buelvas' right hook is much better but it doesn't have much behind it.  Buelvas really needs to watch out for the right hand of Herrera because right hands are southpaw killers and because Buelvas throws his left hand so wide he will be completely open to counter all night.  Herrera should be able to control this fight fairly easily and he will get the unanimous decision win.