12/20/2024
When Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada stepped into the ring on July 24, 2020, at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, the stakes were ostensibly low. She was already a rising star in women’s boxing, known for her electrifying style, speed, and power. Her opponent, Miranda Adkins, was an undefeated but untested fighter with a patchwork resume that raised eyebrows among fans and analysts. What unfolded in those seven seconds, however, cemented Estrada’s place in boxing history—and sparked one of the sport’s most uncomfortable conversations about matchmaking and ethics.
Photo Credit: Golden Boy Promotions/DAZN
At 19-0 with eight knockouts, Estrada was coming off a technical decision win over 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Marlen Esparza. The WBC Silver junior flyweight title was on the line against Adkins, a 42-year-old emergency room worker from Topeka, Kansas. Adkins entered the fight with a spotless 5-0 record, all victories by knockout, but closer scrutiny revealed a troubling reality: four of her wins were against opponents making their professional debuts. Her most recent bout, a rematch with an 0-3 fighter, was hardly preparation for a world-class opponent like Estrada.
From the opening bell, the disparity between the two fighters was glaring. Estrada unleashed a five-punch combination—jab, left hook, right hook, left uppercut, and finishing right—that sent Adkins crumpling to the canvas. The fight was over in seven seconds, the fastest knockout in the history of women’s boxing. Adkins didn’t throw a single punch.
While Estrada celebrated the historic feat, questions immediately arose about the fight’s legitimacy and the matchmaking decisions that allowed it to happen.
Video Credit: DAZN
Adkins, a full-time ER worker, had taken the fight on just three weeks’ notice. Her promoter—and ex-husband—John Carden had convinced her to accept the bout despite her reservations. Adkins later revealed that she had been hesitant, fully aware that Estrada was leagues ahead of her in experience and skill. However, she ultimately agreed, hoping to honor her late mother by raising awareness for ovarian cancer, a cause she displayed prominently on her fight trunks.
In retrospect, Adkins’ journey to the ring was a cautionary tale about the underbelly of women’s boxing. Opportunities for female fighters in smaller weight classes are limited, and Adkins had long been frustrated by the lack of challenging opponents. But the fight against Estrada was not a challenge—it was a mismatch of historic proportions.
Adkins described her preparation as grueling but insufficient: “I trained for 3-4 hours every day before and after work. I knew I didn’t stand a chance of winning but thought going a few rounds would be a victory of sorts.” That hope was dashed in mere seconds.
John Carden’s role in orchestrating the fight drew significant scrutiny. A small-time promoter with a checkered history, Carden had developed a reputation for questionable matchmaking. In one particularly egregious incident, he attempted to pit a Special Olympics athlete with no boxing experience against a veteran fighter. Despite warnings from others, Carden had allowed the fight to proceed until an observant volunteer intervened, halting what could have been a disastrous outcome.
With Adkins, Carden faced similar criticism. Adkins admitted she felt pressured to take the fight, knowing it might be her only opportunity for a high-profile bout. “When my promoter presented the fight, he made it clear it was a take-it-or-leave-it situation,” she said.
For Estrada, the bout was another step in her journey toward undisputed greatness. Her fast knockout was a testament to her preparation, focus, and skill, but even she expressed discomfort about how the fight unfolded. “I knew I was the favorite,” Estrada admitted later, “but I didn’t expect it to end like that.”
Photo Credit: Victor Jacome
Estrada’s career post-Adkins reflected her commitment to elevating women’s boxing. After signing with Top Rank in 2022, she embarked on a relentless campaign to unify the minimumweight division. In March 2023, she outclassed WBC champion Tina Rupprecht to become a unified champion. Four months later, she defeated Leonela Yudica by unanimous decision. Her crowning achievement came in March 2024 when she bested Yokasta Valle in a highly anticipated showdown to become the division’s first undisputed champion.
Estrada retired in October with an unblemished 26-0 record, two world titles across weight classes, and a reputation as one of the pound-for-pound best in women’s boxing. Her seven-second knockout of Adkins remains a landmark moment, though one marred by the controversy surrounding its matchmaking.
The fight highlighted systemic issues in women’s boxing: limited opportunities, uneven competition, and the exploitation of fighters desperate for a chance to prove themselves. While Estrada’s triumph showcased her brilliance, it also underscored the sport’s need for reform to protect fighters and maintain its integrity.
As women’s boxing continues to grow, Estrada’s legacy as a trailblazer and her infamous seven-second victory will serve as both inspiration and caution.
For Adkins, the fight became a bittersweet memory—a brief and brutal moment in the spotlight that revealed the risks of chasing a dream at any cost. For Estrada, it was a stepping stone on the path to greatness, a chapter in a storied career that will be remembered as much for its triumphs as for its lessons.
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