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Lourdes Juarez vs Yesica Nery Plata: Who has the edge heading into their fight?
Yesica Nery Plata has not fought since scoring a split-decision win over Sarah Bormann in December 2023.
Looking to regain her winning touch, Nery Plata returns to action tonight to challenge fellow Mexican and WBC light flyweight world champion Lourdes Juarez at South Padre Island Convention Center in South Padre Island, Texas, and live on DAZN.
Nery Plata (30-2, 3 KOs) is a former unified light flyweight world champion who signed with Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions over the summer and will be aiming to make a splashy debut under the MVP banner.
Taking Juarez’ title would do just that. Juarez (38-4, 5 KOs) is fresh off defeating Mirna Sanchez via ninth-round TKO to defend the WBC title in March.
Will Nery Plata return to the ring after a near two-year layoff to thrill as the new WBC light flyweight world titleholder? Or will Juarez defend the strap in this all-Mexican showdown?
DAZN News analyzes who has the edge between the champ and challenger heading into this title bout.
Boxing Styles
The defending champion Lourdes Juarez is all-action in the pocket, pumping the jab and mixing in uppercuts and hooks around the guard with fluidity and as potshots.
However, if there is a hole in her fighting game, it could be her lax of a guard on defense. While looking for her next punch, Juarez often drops her hands by her waist and that is something that Yesica Nery Plata can look to exploit.
The former unified world champion and MVP signee fights behind a disciplined guard by asserting her front foot and working off the jab.
She, too, is more than comfortable mixing it up with heavy-handed, clubbing shots in the phone booth.
Though, having last fought in December 2023, Nery Plata will have to overcome ring rust.
That and Juarez’ high volume of punches could tilt the styles advantage in the champ’s favor.
Edge: Juarez
Power
The eye test on these fighters shows Nery Plata has the heavier hands, though Juarez, through her persistence and high output, batters opponents with volume. This makes each boxer’s power game viable.
The champ has a couple more knockout wins to her name and is coming off a stoppage victory, giving her the slightest edge in power entering this one.
Edge: Juarez
Mental Warfare
Having been out of the ring for just over 22 months will certainly be a mental and physical hurdle that Nery Plata needs to overcome.
However, she can go into this bout with confidence and inspiration that can help.
For starters, Nery Plata is a former unified light flyweight world champion and now has the opportunity to launch her MVP campaign as a new and repeating world titleholder in the division.
There is confidence and advantage that should come with that.
Edge: Nery Plata
Who has the edge in Juarez vs Nery Plata?
DAZN News has this edge slightly going toward Juarez, 2-1. However, Nery Plata has been here before and if she could erode away at possible ring rust, there is a great chance that she exits South Padre Island, Texas as the new champion, ushering in her new era. And it would not be surprising at all.
