WBC Super Flyweight world champion and front-runner for 2022 fighter of the year Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez, of San Antonio, is likely to vacate his current title and move to his more natural weight class, Flyweight (112-pounds). It has long been rumored and discussed that Rodriguez would go back down to 112 since he won the WBC Super Flyweight title back in February when he dismantled Carlos Cuadras. The initial plan was to win the strap at 115-pounds, vacate and go back down to 112. However there were big money fights and the Texan looked so impressive in taking apart Cuadras, that he stayed at Super Flyweight to defend his belt. He did that twice, first in a homecoming fight against Srisaket Sor Rungvisai in June and then on the Canelo vs GGG 3 undercard in a tougher than expected-defense against Israel Gonzalez last month.
Rodriguez got through the fights at the super flyweight limit with flying colors. However, the size difference is noticeable. In addition, Bam's older brother, Joshua Franco, holds the WBA belt in the weight class and is in line to unify with WBO champ Kaz Ioka in Japan on New Year's Eve. With Franco holding those two belts and Choclatito scheduled to fight Juan Francisco Estrada in December, Bam would have limited options at the weight class.
The move down to 112 doesn't just make sense physically for Rodriguez, it also opens up a huge fight in the weight class and one of the biggest fights the weight class has ever seen. The reports are that a Rodriguez scrap with undefeated WBO Junto Nakatani of Japan is already in the works, possibly for February. “Early next year, two-division world champion for sure. ” the confident San Antonian assured. Bam then plans on unifying the other belts in the division. He mentioned unification fights with IBF Flyweight Champ "Showtime" Sunny Edwards of London, England, and WBC champ Julio Cesar Martinez.