By: Sean Cross
22-0 Senisa Estrada retains the WBA women’s bantamweight title Saturday against 6-1-2 Jazmin Villarino in a 10-round fight at the Vegas Palms Casino Resort. The first round was uneventful, but Estrada was definitely trying to get by Villarino. In the second, Estrada was mostly successful in cutting the ring. The third round saw each woman throw well, although it was Villarino who did the most damage.
Estrada appeared to rock Villarino early in the fourth, but the aggressive challenger continued to wrestle things out.Both women traded furious punches in the fifth round. The sixth was much like the first half of the fight, with Villarino playing the striker and Estrada resting more effectively. In the seventh, things remained very strong. The eighth again showcased Estrada’s superior punching, as she landed more cleanly than a decisive Villarino.
Although still determined, Villarino lacked the energy in the ninth that she had shown earlier in the fight. It wasn’t a surprise, but Estrada allowed the opportunity to come unscathed. The tenth and final round saw Villarino retire. It wasn’t enough. Estrada left the ring with the WBA title still in her possession and another win on her record.
