Juan Francisco Estrada vs Jesse Rodriguez - Photos by Melina Pizano/Matchroom -06/29/24

This particular fight night was quite memorable for various reasons: from a historical KO, career-defining moment, and then thinking I missed two key moments and it turns out I was able to capture them both.

For this fight night another photographer, Amanda Westcott, was on board to cover the ring opposite of me. Since Amanda was ringside, after I captured the ring walks I roamed to capture atmosphere from the lower and upper levels. While there I heard a loud roar from the crowd. Jesse Rodriguez had knocked down Juan Francisco Estrada. Fortunately I had remembered my PocketWizard trigger for the remote camera I had set up above the ring. Even though I wasn't able to capture the knockdown ringside I had captured it from overhead.

Soon after I returned ringside Juan Francisco Estrada had knocked down Jesse Rodriguez, who had never been knocked down prior to that moment. I was able to shoot off three frames because the referee immediately stepped in. The first was out of focus. The second I captured the moment right before the ref fully stepped in. In the third the ref was fully obstructing. The second photo was exactly what was needed. In addition to that I was able to once again capture the moment from my remote camera.

When Rodriguez knocked Estrada down a second/final time it created a sequence of photos that was difficult to minimize because of how much emotion was shown. Quite possibly one of my favorite images I've ever taken was the last one of the sequence where Rodriguez is smiling after knocking out Estrada. Not only was it a great knockout, but a career defining moment that Rodriguez recognized with a smile.

All photos taken between June 25 to 29, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Jesse Rodriguez Training Session

Jesse Rodriguez Training PhoenixJune 25, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Jesse Rodriguez trains at JL Boxing Academy ahead of his fight against Juan Francisco Estrada on June 29, 2024 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom. Jesse Rodriguez Training PhoenixJune 25, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Jesse Rodriguez trains at JL Boxing Academy ahead of his fight against Juan Francisco Estrada on June 29, 2024 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom. Jesse Rodriguez Training PhoenixJune 25, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Jesse Rodriguez trains at JL Boxing Academy ahead of his fight against Juan Francisco Estrada on June 29, 2024 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom. Jesse Rodriguez Training PhoenixJune 25, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Jesse Rodriguez signs an autograph after training at JL Boxing Academy ahead of his fight against Juan Francisco Estrada on June 29, 2024 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom. Estrada-Rodriguez Media Day

Sunny Edwards

Juan Francisco Estrada vs Jesse Rodriguez Media DayJune 25, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Behind the scenes of Sunny Edwards on media day ahead of his fight against Adrian Curiel on June 29, 2024 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom.

Estrada-Rodriguez Fight Night

Daniel Gonzalez lifts Fabian Rojo after their bout and Rojo declared the winner.

Juan Francisco Estrada vs Jesse RodriguezJune 29, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Fabian Rojo celebrates his win against Daniel Gonzalez at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Mandatory Credit: (Photo by Melina Pizano/Matchroom.)

Arturo Cardenas vs Danny Barrios Juan Francisco Estrada vs Jesse RodriguezJune 29, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arturo Cardenas and Danny Barrios during their fight at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Mandatory Credit: (Photo by Melina Pizano/Matchroom.) Yamileth Mercado and Ramla Ali are both lifted after their bout.

Mercado was later announced the winner by unanimous decision. Juan Francisco Estrada vs Jesse RodriguezJune 29, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Yamileth Mercado celebrates after her fight against Ramla Ali at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Mandatory Credit: (Photo by Melina Pizano/Matchroom.) Sunny Edwards looks on after an accidental headbutt versus Adrian Curiel. Juan Francisco Estrada vs Jesse RodriguezJune 29, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Sunny Edwards during his fight against Adrian Curiel at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Mandatory Credit: (Photo by Melina Pizano/Matchroom.) Juan Francisco Estrada vs Jesse Rodriguez Juan Francisco Estrada vs Jesse RodriguezJune 29, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Jesse Rodriguez walks to the ring prior to his fight against Juan Francisco Estrada at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Mandatory Credit: (Photo by Melina Pizano/Matchroom.) Juan Francisco Estrada vs Jesse Rodriguez Fight NightJune 29, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Juan Francisco Estrada and Jesse Rodriguez during their fight at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom. Juan Francisco Estrada vs Jesse Rodriguez Fight NightJune 29, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Juan Francisco Estrada and Jesse Rodriguez during their fight at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom. Juan Francisco Estrada vs Jesse RodriguezJune 29, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Juan Francisco Estrada and Jesse Rodriguez during their fight at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Mandatory Credit: (Photo by Melina Pizano/Matchroom) Juan Francisco Estrada vs Jesse Rodriguez Fight NightJune 29, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Juan Francisco Estrada and Jesse Rodriguez during their fight at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom. Juan Francisco Estrada vs Jesse RodriguezJune 29, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Jesse Rodriguez reacts to his win against Juan Francisco Estrada at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Mandatory Credit: (Photo by Melina Pizano/Matchroom.) Juan Francisco Estrada vs Jesse RodriguezJune 29, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Jesse Rodriguez celebrates his win against Juan Francisco Estrada at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Mandatory Credit: (Photo by Melina Pizano/Matchroom.)