As we reported last week, San Antonio's favorite son, two-division champ Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez has signed the contract to fight Sunny Edwards in a 112-pound unification bout. Rodriguez captured the WBO version of the belt in April via a unanimous decision over Cristian Gonzalez in San Antonio. Edwards has held the IBF belt since 2021 when he outpointed Moruti Mthalane. No date or venue has been attached to the fight at this time. However, Hearn said the scrap will likely be in the US, but not in San Antonio. Hearn flirted with the idea of Phoenix, where he said they have done well in. California is also in play according to the promoter. Hearn suggested if Edwards were to come over to the US, it would be unfair to make him go to San Antonio. The fight will take place in the 4th quarter of this year as the Texan is still recovering from the broken jaw, he suffered in the Gonzalez fight in April. Hearn expressed much excitement in the fight “Really pleased with this one! One of the best fights in boxing – respect to both!”
Bam Rodriguez Likely to Unify with Edwards in 4th Quarter of 2023 in West Coast
The WBO-IBF Unification bout between Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez and Sunny Edwards seemed like an inevitability as soon as Bam captured the WBO strap in his home city of San Antonio and became the first-ever two-division world champion in the famed fight cities history. To make the situation smoother, the Lone Star Stater was more than willing to travel across the pond and fight Edwards in his backyard in the UK. When the Alamo City Native broke his jaw on his way to becoming a two-division world champ back in April, it appeared that the fight would be scrapped at least for the foreseeable future, and the 2022 "Fighter of the Year" would be on the sidelines for the remainder of 2023. However, it now seems we will get that fight, and even better for Rodriguez, the fight will be made in the US. Matchroom Boxing boss Eddie Hearn, who represents each champion said, "We are close, we really close." When asked for a date, he responded, "November, December. We have to wait on Bam's jaw, so we're looking at the end of 2023." Hearn also went on to say, that the fight would be in the United States but "Not in San Antonio'' The fight will likely be made for late 2023 on the West Coast. Hearn went on to explain his reasoning "We didn't do great in San Antonio, and it wouldn't be fair to Edwards." Out-of-town fighters have historically received a rough time getting a fair shake in Texas. Hearn said, "Either California or Arizona. We have done well in the past in Phoenix."
Rodriguez-Edwards Unification Could be Signed This Week
Two months ago San Antonio's favorite son Bam Rodriguez captured the WBO Flyweight title and made history by becoming the first two-division world champ from the Alamo City and did so at just 23 years old he got more than he expected. In addition to taking home the flyweight strap, he also left the Tech Port Arena with a broken jaw. An injury that is expected to keep the multi-divisional champ out of the ring for six months. That would mean he would be sidelined till the end of 2023 or early 2024.
When the San Antonio moved down to 112 from 115 back in April, the logical fight was a unification showdown with IBF title holder Sunny Edwards. Apparently, that fight seems to be green-lit once Rodriguez is cleared to return. Bam is back in the gym working hard and named Edwards when asked who he thought he might fight next. The two have been linked for some time and Edwards, who defended his title this past Saturday in a tougher-than-expected scrap against Andreas Campos at Wembley Arena, demanded Rodriguez "sign the contract" following his title defense. Rodriguez replied via social media with a simple and to-the-point "Let's go".
Edwards has called out and talked a bit of trash to Rodriguez, who seems to want the fight just as much. Rodriguez not known for talking trash, said to Edwards, "See you soon, Sonny" Rodriguez far prefers to make his statements in the ring. It is certainly looking like he will get that chance to make that statement in the near future. Promoter Eddie Hearn says the unification bout could be signed and made official this week. Speaking of the fight Hearn spoke highly of the fight saying “Sunny against Jesse is the toughest fight for Edwards, but I think it’s the best fight in the division... “I’m really confident we can get it done in the next two weeks,” Hearn said. “Maybe even by the end of this week."
Fight Week: Bam Rodriguez Returns Home
Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez 17-0 (11) has returned to the Alamo City To make history. "Bam" will look to become a two-division world champ as he moves down to 112-pounds and challenges for the vacant WBO Flyweight strap. Saturday night at the Tech Port Arena in San Antonio's west side. Rodriguez will take on the largely unknown Cristian 'Chicharito' Gonzalez in a 12-round affair.
Fight week kicked off with a meet and greet as well as a face-off between the two combatants in front of the Alamo. The festivities continued on Wednesday with a media workout. Thursday is the final Press Conference, which will air on DAZN. Finally, Friday is the official weigh-in, which will also be aired by the streaming service at 1 PM local time at the Espee on E. Commerce Street.
Rodriguez captured the 115-pound WBC world title in February of 2022 by outpointing the legendary Carlos Cuadras in Phoenix, Arizona. He then gave a career-best performance and battered future first-ballot Hall of Famer, Srisaket Sor Rungvisai in the eighth round. He defended the WBC strap one last time on Mexican Independence Day Weekend against Israel Gonzalez on the undercard of Canelo-GGG II at the T-Mobile in Las Vegas. Rodriguez scored a UD victory. Gonzalez has two wins of note. In his last outing, he defeated fringe contender Juan Alejoz and scored a first-round TKO last March. Chicharito additionally has a win over Saul Juarez, a common opponent with Rodriguez, in which he secured a 10
-round unanimous decision victory in a tough and competitive fight. Rodriguez scored a sensational second-round KO and posterized Juarez. That was in late 2020 in the Top Rank Bubble in Las Vegas
Gateway City Native to Be Honored on April 8 card in San Antonio
Gateway City Legend to be Honored on Bam Rodriguez Card in San Antonio
One legend will be honored, while another legend in the making gets to demonstrate his unique and formidable skill set in the Alamo City. That will be the scene at the Tech Port Arena in San Antonio on April 8th. Legendary Laredo native Orlando Canizales is a 2009 inductee into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. He compiled a 50-5 -1 (37) record and held the IBF bantamweight title from July of 1988 till December of 1994. He made 15 consecutive title defenses which equaled an all-time division record. The bantamweight division (118) is one of boxing's original seven weight classes, there are now 17 weight classes. Canizales made his first title defense at the Freeman Coliseum and did so in sensational fashion. He dropped Jimmy Navaro twice on his way to a first-round TKO. It was the first title defense in a legendary run. In addition, Canizales fought his second pro fight at the Freeman Coliseum. Also, a first-round TKO! This win came over Reymundo Eureste, an Eagle Pass native. He fought in San Antonio a total of six times, going 5-1 with the one loss, a very close and controversial loss to Wilfredo Vazquez in his bid to become a 122-pound world champ. The Gateway City native is regarded by most as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, Bantamweight of all time.
In the evening's main event, San Antonio fan favorite and native Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez (17-0) will look to become a two-division world champ as he moves down from 115 to 112 and captures the vacant WBO Flyweight title as he takes on Cristian Gonzalez of Tultitlán, México. Bam Rodriguez last fought in San Antonio in June of 2022 and scored a career-best win in stopping the legendary Srisaket Sor Rungvisai in eight absolutely one-sided rounds.
Bam Rodriguez Returns to San Antonio on April 8
San Antonio's favorite son and the future of boxing, particularly in the smaller weight classes, Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez, is set to return! The Alamo City native will look to become a two-weight division world champion as he battles with Cristian Gonzalez On April 8th at the Boeing Center at the Tech Port Arena on the city's west side. Rodriguez, 17-0 (1), recently vacated his WBC Super Flyweight belt, which he successfully defended two times to move back down to his more natural weight class. Rodriguez recently turned 23 years old and became the first-ever world champion born in the 2000s last year. He captured that crown by taking apart Carlos Cuadras in Phoenix, Arizona last year. Bam last fought in his home city in June of last year when he gave a career-best performance in absolutely destroying the legendary Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, and sending the future hall of famer into retirement.
Bam will look to become a two-division world champ as he moves down to flyweight to take on Cristian Gonzalez, 15-1 (5) of Tultitlán, México for the vacant WBO belt that was vacated by Japanese star Junto Nakatani. The two had previously been linked to a possible fight however, Nakatani decided to move up to 115 and Rodriguez down to his more natural weight of 112.
Rodriguez last fought in the co-main event of Canelo-GGG 3 and took a points victory over Israel Gonzalez back on September 17th. Cristian Gonzalez, no relation, will have been inactive for over a year when he steps in with the Texan on April 8th and has fought just one round in nearly a year-and-a-half. His last outing was in March of 2022, and he scored a first-round KO over Juan Alejo Zuniga in Mexico City.
Should Rodriguez get the victory, which he is expected to, he will have lots of big fights in front of him for the rest of 2023 and could be in contention for Fighter of the Year again this year. Co-promoter Eddie Hearn said, “ It’s a great fight that sets up all the big fights, a unification with Julio Cesar Martinez, a unification against Sunny Edwards. There are some great fights to be made in the flyweight division,”
Tickets go on pre-sale on February 9th and go on sale to the public on February 10th.
Josh Franco Arrives in Japan for Unification Bout on New Year's Eve
WBA Super Flyweight Champion " El Profesor" Joshua Franco of San Antonio won't be spending Christmas in Texas this year. The 27-year-old WBA world champ arrived in Japan on Christmas Eve for his unification bout with Japanese legend and four-division world champion Kaz Ioka, originally of Osaka, Japan but now resides in Tokyo and currently holds the WBO version of the super flyweight title.
Franco arrived in Tokyo with his brother, Bam Rodriguez, as he prepares for fight week in what is a career-defining fight for Franco. The Alamo City native has been awaiting a mega fight for well over a year. He was in line to fight now WBC champ and future first-ballot hall of Famer Juan Francisco Estrada. The bout went to purse bids and was won by Frano's then promoter Golden Boy Promotions. Estrada opted not to fight Franco and took on unknown challenger Argi Cortes instead. Franco then split with his promoter and finally landed the mega fight that has long evaded him. The New Year's Eve card is a long-running running tradition in Tokyo and Ioka has taken part in it nearly every year since 2011.
Franco last fought in August of 2021 at the Hard Rock Casino in Tulsa and scored a 12-round UD victory over Andrew Moloney, a fight that Franco looked highly impressive in and both he and his trainer called the best performance of his career. Franco currently sports an 18-1-2 (8) record. Ioka last fought in July and took a wide decision over fellow future Hall of Famer Donnie Nietes and sports a 29-2 (15) and has held his version of the belt since June of 2019 when he rallied to stop Aston Palicte. Franco captured his WBA belt in June of 2020 in the Top Rank bubble in Las Vegas. The other two belts in the super flyweight division, which is considered the most loaded division in the sport, are held by Estrada who won the WBC belt vacated by Bam Rodriguez, and the IBF belt is currently held by Fernando Martinez.
Bam Rodriguez Confident WBO Flyweight Title Fight Will Happen
Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez of San Antonio has had a remarkable 2022. A year that saw him go 3-0 and go from hardcore darling to megastar who took the boxing world by storm. As a result, Rodriguez will likely win the Fighter of the Year of Award.
The Alamo City native is looking to start 2023 where 2022 left off, winning world titles. Rodriguez vacated his WBC Super Flyweight title to move back down to Flyweight, a more natural weight class. Rodriguez jumped from 108 to 115 on six days' notice and gave the performance of the year back in February when he dropped and dismantled future Hall of Famer Carlos Cuadras. He successfully defended his belt at 115 pounds twice.
Now Rodriguez will look to become a two-division world champion. It appears a deal has been reached for Rodrigues to fight Cristian Gonzalez of Mexico for the vacant WBO Flyweight title, a belt vacated by long-reigning champ Junto Nakatani last month. Rodriguez is currently ranked #1 by the organization, and Gonzalez is ranked #2. Promoter Eddie Hearn has targeted the month of March to host the fight. Reaching the deal will allow the fighters to avoid purse bids. Rodriguez was confident that the fight was going to happen. While attending Hector Tanajara's fight at the Tech Port Arena, Rodriguez said, " Yea, that fight is going to happen." It looks like that will come to fruition.
The Alamo City Native is 17-0 (11) and last fought in September when he outpointed Israel Gonzalez in the co-main event of Canelo-GGG III at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Gonzalez sports an impressive record of 15-1 (5). His lone defeat came back in 2019, a split decision loss to highly touted world title contender Angel Ayala Lardizabal in a six-round affair. Gonzalez last fought in March and blew out Juan Alejo Zuniga in the first round. His most impressive win came back in the summer of 2021 when he outpointed rigged veteran Saul Juarez.
As for the future for Rodriguez, it's still unclear what weight class he will compete at long term. Rumors have circulated that when Rodriguez wins the WBO belt, he will look to unify with IBF Flyweight champ Sunny Edwards, who has called Bam out multiple times. Rodriguez said, "we have to see how the weight cut goes." Rodriguez is still just 21 years old and his body is likely still getting bigger.
Kid Austin Shines in Indio in Golden Boy Main Event
The Future of Texas Boxing is in great hands as another unbeaten prospect surges up the rankings. "Kid Austin" Floyd Schofield, fighting out of Austin, made his main event debut Thursday in Indio, California. He officially signed with Golden Boy Promotions this summer after his spectacular performance on the Ortiz-McKinson card in Fort Worth. He also has a co-promotional deal with San Antonio-based promoter Davies Entertainment. Kid Austin made a spectacular debut and did not disappoint the new company in his fight as an official part of the team. The 20-year lightweight predicted a first-round knockout and did just that. Completely overwhelming the outmatched Daniel Rosas in just 97 seconds.
Just a minute into the bout Kid Austin backed his man into the ropes and dropped Rosas momentarily, but was ruled a slip and not a knockdown. However, it was obvious at that point that Rosas had nowhere to go and it was just a matter of time. Schofield picked up the onslaught once Rosas got u, and continued the assault. Attacking with head and body shots, driving Rosas back into the ropes again. Schofield set him up whim with the jab, then landed a thudding right hand, and followed it up with a well-placed left hook that knocked Rosas down and out. Giving the Austinite the 12th consecutive win and 10th stoppage to start his young and emerging career.
The youth movement in Texas boxing is on a whole another level. In addition to WBC Super Flyweight Champ 22-Year-Old Bam Rodriguez who has taken the world by storm and should win Fighter of the Year for 2022, there's a 17-year-old phenom, 2-0 bantamweight prospect Jesus "Panterita'' Martinez of Del Rio. Now Schofield is taking the boxing world by storm! The future of boxing is Texas!
Schofield also has an excellent chance to become the first world champion from Austin. The Capital City has produced plenty of good fighters James Kirkland, Casey Ramos, Kurtiss Colvin, and others but none ahve gotten all the way to the top of the mountain. Schofield certainly seems to be headed to the top of that mountain and likely in the very near future and in multiple divisions.
Ammo & Bam Pick Up Tougher than Expected Wins
26-year-old Southpaw Austin "Ammo" Williams of Houston moved his perfect record to 12-0. He dropped and decisioned rugged contender Kieron Conway of the UK. Ammo was pushed the 10-round distance for the first time in his career. In a fight that was still up for grabs going through the eighth became one-sided in the ninth as the Houstonian seized control of the bout and dropped Conwy with a picture-perfect right uppercut at around the midway point of the round. Right there the fight changed as a noticeably hurt Brit ceased trying to win the fight and spent the rest of the ninth and then the 10th right trying to survive and keep away from the hard-hitting Texan. Conway rolled to a hard-earned UD victory by scores of 97-92x2 and 96-93.
WBC Super flyweight champ and 115-pound sensation Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez continued his surge Saturday night in Vegas in a tougher than expected challenge from Israel Gonzalez. Gonzales used his reach and size to his advantage and had a degree of success keeping Bam off of him and landing his fair share of power shots. By the eighth, the San Antonian took control of the fight landing right hooks and right hands. Mixing up head and body shots to perfection, one such body shot strayed a bit too low and cost the Texan a point. However, it made no impact on the decision as Rodriguez picked up the second defense of his WBC strap and moved his record to 17-0 picking up his third win of 2022 and his fourth win in less than 12 months.
Bam & Ammo Featured on Canelo-GGG III Card
Two undefeated Texans will make the trip to Las Vegas this week and take part in the Canelo-GGG III card at the T Mobile Arena. One champion and one future champ are featured on the card. Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez will return to the ring following his spectacular eighth-round TKO stoppage of Srisaket Sor Rungvisai in San Antonio on June 25th. Bam is likely the front-runner for the Fighter of The Year honors. He will battle Israel Gonzalez of Los Cabos, Mexico, a veteran of 33 professional bouts. Gonzalez sports a record of 28-4-1 and has won two consecutive eight-round decisions since his last blemish a draw to Puerto Rican fighter Jose Martinez-Mercado back in March of 2021. Rodriguez has established himself as one of the future mega-stars of the sporty. According to his Co Promotion, Matchroom Boxing, they want to fight Bam four times a year and keep him fighting as the co-main event on Canelo cards. Plus the plan is to fight him twice more each year, headlining in San Antonio. Rodriguez will look to push his perfect record to 17-0 and may fight again towards the end of the year back home in the Alamo City.
Also on the card is surging middleweight prospect Austin "Ammo" Williams of Houston. Williams was viewed as one of Boxing's premier prospects when he dominated rugged veteran Denis Douglin over eight one-sided rounds in just his eighth professional bout back in March of 2021. Following the bout, Williams took a hiatus from the ring. "Ammo", who last fought in April, disposing of undefeated Chrodale Booker in one round, opened up about the outside-the-ring issues he was dealing with “The brain is so complex you don’t really take time to sit with it and understand it. Boxing is the loneliest sport in the world, so we’re dealing with something that’s so high level, putting your life on the line for a living. You are out there to be judged in front of a crowd, your heart on your sleeve and showing your art to the world, and your physical health is attached to that.” Willaims sports an 11-0 (9) record and will battle Kieron Conway of Northamptonshire, England, for the WBA International middleweight title.
Bam Rodrigeuz Named ESPN Best Men's Fighter
Having covered nearly his entire career, nothing Jesse "Bam' Rodriguez accomplishes comes as much of a surprise. At just 22 years old he is in the pound-for-pound discussion and has captured and defended the WBC super flyweight belt. A belt he jumped up not one but two weight classes on 6-days-notice to capture by defeating a legendary little man. He defeated another surefire first ballot hall of fame in stopping Srisaket Sor Rungvisai. The man who took Chocolatitos "O" and then knocked him out cold in the rematch. That man, the Thai legend, got annihilated and dominated by Rodriguez.
Rodriguez has been awarded with ESPN's mid-year Fighter of the Year award. In a year that Canelo got absolutely dominated by a long-reigning champ in a year that the lineal heavyweight champ dominated Canelo and in a year that multiple fighters have captured "all the belts,' the 22-year-old Alamo city native tat has captured the award for the best fighter on the planet for the first half of 2022.
Rodriguez was the hardcore's darling he had fought on the undercard of Wilder-Fury 1, Spence- Mikey Garcia. He had some sensational knockouts in the Top Rank Bubble and some impressive performances on Mikey Garcia undercards. The hardcore knew Bam was something special. For a little man (under 126 pounds) to really, garner headlines and international attention, he has to do something truly special to make people take notice. The Texan has done exactly that! Exceeding every expectation, the kid that both Robert Garcia and former stablemate and the Prospect of the Year Vergil Ortiz, said was the best fighter in the stable is no longer boxing's best-kept secret. Bam's time has arrived.
Bam Scores Spectacular TKO in Tech Port Arena
Choclatito couldn't do it, Estrada couldn't do it, Cuadras couldn't do it, but Bam certainly could. The 22-year-old, Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez, of San Antonio became the first man to stop future first ballot hall of famer Sisaket Sor Rungvisai, and he did so not only in spectacular fashion but in front of a sold-out crowd in his hometown. Bam started the offense with a beautifully well-placed jab and sliding out of the way seamlessly making Rungvisai miss wildly. Showing off dazdazzling to close out the opening stanza. The hand and foot the speed was vastly different as Rodriguez was able to land with picture perfect hooks and avoid the heavy artilary in return from his That counterpart.
By the fourth round it appeared to already be decided with the only question being can Runvisai survive Bam for 12 rounds? Rodriduez continued putting the laer-like left behind the south paw jab and Rungvisai was a sitting duck. Adding in an amazing display of foot work consistently put the San Antonian in position to score over and over again with the straight left hand, right hook two-piece late in the fifth that badly hurt the Thai opponent. Another perfectly placed left hand in the seventh put Rungvisai down less than a minute into the round. A vicious rally and combination in the 8th round sealed the deal and gave Rodriguez the sensational knockout! Moving his record to 16-0 (11) and making him the front runner for Fighter of the Year.
Also on the card was rising prospect "Panterita" Jesus Martinez of Del Rio got to work right away. After sizing up his opponent, Keven Monroy, with the jab Panterita landed his first thunderous shot at about the midway point of the opening round. Scoring with a sweeping right hand that rocked Monroy. Just moments later a patient Martinez snapped his mans head back with a shotgun jab. A lead right hand and then a follow-up counter left hook put Monroy on very shaky leagues late in the second round. After surviving a scare in the third round, which saw Martinez on the canvas after a punch grazed off his shoulder and Panterita alipped to the canvas, it was ruled a knockdown, however. Panterita again stepped on the gas and regained control of the fight. The teenager closed the show in the final stanza like a rugged veteran. He rocked his man with solid right hands. However, Monroy embodied the true warrior spirit and fought valiantly surviving to the last round. Panterita moved his record to 2-0 picking up his second decision. Manager and former world champion Darren Barker gave Panterita a "7 out of 10. I am happy but there are things he could have done better" he said. The plan is to continue to keep the young fighter active and Barker suggested they could be back at it as soon as August.
Rick Medina Jr came up short in a points loss in a competitive fight with Raymond Ford.
The Future of Texas Boxing On Stage at Tech Port Arena
The Lone Star State has emerged as one of the premier hotspots for boxing anywhere in the world. It is producing world champions and blue-chip prospects at breakneck speeds. Much of that talent will be on display Saturday the 25th in San Antonio at the Tech Port Arena. In the main event, WBC Super Flyweight champ Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez will step in the ring and make his inaugural title defense against legendary former champ and future first ballot hall of Famer Srisaket Sor Rungvisai. Rodriguez could have chosen any number of opponents, much less deserving and accomplished than Sor Rungvisai. However Rodriguez wanted the challenge and wanted to fight the legendary Thai fighter. Rodriguez, who is the youngest champ in the sport, and the first-ever world champion born in the 2000s, is no stranger to a challenge. He won his world title by beating another future hall of Famer on six days' notice and moving up two weight classes in what was perhaps the performance of the year. Rodriguez has emerged from being the hardcore fight fans darling, the fighter that every hardcore fan thought might be special, to the talk of the boxing world and the future of the smaller weight classes in a very short period of time. The 22-year-old now begins his title reign and pound-for-pound run.
Also on the card is 21-year-old San Antonian "El Castigo" Rick Medina, who will put his perfect 13-0 record on the line against fellow unbeaten featherweight prospect Raymond Ford. In what is a massive step-up fight for the unbeaten San Antonian. Recently a picture of Bam Rodriguez, Josh Franco, Mario Barrios, and Rick Medina posed together when they were children went viral. The other three in the now-famous picture have all captured world titles. It is now Medina's turn, and he can take a massive step toward that goal by defeating Ford in the battle of unbeaten featherweights. Ford is Ranked #6 by the WBA at 126-pounds and in the top 15 by the IBF. If "El Castigo" picks up the "W" he will likely replace Ford in those rankings and propel himself into the world title picture at just 21 years old.
Del Rio Native, 14x national champ, and unbeaten Bantamweight prospect "Panterita '' Jesus Martinez returns to the ring just two weeks after making his pro debut in Mexico. Panterita made his debut a successful one. Taking a brilliant four-round unanimous decision against Daniel Nunez Gomes of Mexico. The hard-hitting south Texan wowed the boxing world with his sensational professional debut and was added to the San Antonio card by popular demand. The boxing world wanted to see Panterita again, given his sensational performance in Mexico, and they will get that chance just a few hours from the fighter's hometown. He will battle with Keven Monroy 1-2 (1), and hails from California. Given Martinez continues to look impressive, it is believed he will be moved along quickly to a world title opportunity.
Bam Returns to San Antonio to make Inaugural Title Defense
Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez will return home and defend his WBC Super Flyweight world title against the legendary Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, of Thailand, on June 25th at the Tech Port Arena in San Antonio. It's Rodriguez's first time fighting near his hometown of San Antonio since he headlined a TMB card in the Summer of 2019, on a nearby Floresville card. He destroyed Cesar Garcia Torrijos, of Laredo, on that card in just three rounds. Rodriguez also outpointed Robert Ledesma in San Antonio in 2017 and blew out an overmatched Santiago Sanchez Bayardoin one back in 2018.
The 22-year-old Rodriguez became boxing's youngest world champion and the first-ever born in the 2000s when he outclassed the legendary Carlos Cuadras at the Foot Print Center in Phoenix, Arizona, back in February. A world title fight that he filled in for on less than a weeks notice when Sor Rungvisai had to drop out of the fight due to a non-covid illness. Rungvisai, held the WBC super flyweight title from 2017 to 2019 A title he won when he shocked Choclatito Gonzlaez in 2017 via majority decision. He followed that up by destroying the legendary little man in four rounds. Sor Rungvisai lost his belt to Estrada in 2019. Estrada is currently in line to fight Bam's older brother Joshua Franco in the summer as well.
Rodriguez gave a career-defining performance in jumping up two weight classes on a week's notice to outclass Cuadras. He went from being somewhat of a hidden gem to a superstar and being considered the best young fighter in the world overnight. He initially said that he would vacate the belt and go back down to his more natural weight of 108, but after giving the unforgettable performance to win the WBC strap, the 15-0 (10) Rodriguez said he wanted to stay and defend his title. The 115-pound division is perhaps the best in the sport. It is the money division of the smaller weight classes, so Rodriguez appears, at least for the time being, to be remaining at 115 to defend his strap.
Golden Boy wins Estrada-Franco Purse Bid, Opens Many Possibilities
After WBA Bantamweight World Champion Joshua Franco and WBA Super Champ Juan Francisco Estrada were granted a 24-hour period to come to an agreement for the mandated match and avoid purse bids, an agreement was not reached and the bout went to purse bids and was won by Golden Boy early on Tuesday. It appears the fight will take place in either June or July with a few locations being discussed including Nevada, California, or Franco's hometown of San Antonio.
The situation begins to get cloudy as the lower than anticipated purse bids may cause Estrada to walk away from the fight and vacate the "super" version of the belt. That would likely leave a fight between Franco and legendary four-division world champ Chocloatito Gonzalez who is ranked number one in the division by the WBA. As confusing as this all sounds it could actually end up being a home run for San Antonio fight fans and a dream come true for the brothers. Matchroom Boxing, which promotes Bam Rodriguez, is headed by Eddie Hearn, who has openly discussed the possibility of staging a massive doubleheader with Franco plus WBC junior bantamweight titlist Rodriguez. Rodriguez is scheduled to take on former world champ Srisaket sor Rungvisai. A doubleheader featuring the two brothers would be a massive draw and could realistically dwarf the roughly 15,000 seats that the Ryan Garica sold for his April 9th, fight in the Alamodome.
The brothers have not fought in San Antonio on the same card yet. With each brother holding a major world title, the timing does seem perfect. Especially when a massive card that could feature Franco vs Chocolatito and Rodriguez vs Sor Rungvisai would be a ticket sale and ratings bonanza. Franco sports a record of 18-1-2 (8), and has fought in the Alamo city just once he destroyed and stopped Jose Alejandro Burgos in January of 2020 on the undercard of Mungia-O'Sullivan. Rodriguez, 15-0 (10) scored a sensational knockout of Cesar Garcia Torrijos, on a TMB card in nearby Floresville in 2019 and a year early on a Mikey Garcia promoted card Rodriguez scored a first-round knockout of Santiago Sanchez Bayardo of Corpus Christi, at the Mi Mercado Event Center, on the west-side of San Antonio.
Rodriguez confirmed that he was being scheduled to fight around the same time “I haven’t heard anything yet but I know I’m going to be fighting sometime around June,” Rodriguez said and went on to confirm "They’re working on a doubleheader with me and my brother. Franco, confirmed his little brother's sentiment adding “There have been talks of the fight coming here [San Antonio] and my brother being on the show. That would be amazing. We’re confident it will come here.” There are still plenty of details to work out and some things that have to fall in place but it seems like a realistic possibility at the moment.
Two San Antonionians Headline; Six Texans in Action
The first major weekend of boxing of the new year is absolutely loaded and stacked with fighters from the Lone Star State. The two major cards this weekend are headed up by two fighters from San Antonio. Former WBA 140-Pound World champ, Mario Barrios, returns to the ring for the first time since his fight of the year type fight with Tank Davis in June of last year. Barrios suffered his first career loss to Davis, a three-division world champion, via 11th round TKO. Barrios moves up to welterweight for the first time and instead of fighting a soft touch, he opted for the biggest challenge of his professional career. He battles former unified welterweight champ, Keith Thurman in the main event of a card at The Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada. About 300 miles away at the Footprint center in Phoenix, Arizona. Barrios's long-time friend and fellow Alamo City native Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez literally and figuratively take the biggest fight of his career. The 22-year-old phenom jumps up not one, but two weight classes to battle future hall of famer Carlos Cuadras for the WBC Super Flyweight strap and looks to capture the first world title of his promising career. A career that is expected to produce multiple world titles in multiple weight classes.
While Barrios and Bam headline the cards, the undercards are stacked with Texans. On the undercard of Thurman-Barrios, Brownsville native and highly touted jr welterweight prospect "El Relampago" Omar Juarez will battle long time contender "Cowboy" Ryan Karl, who hails from a town called Milano, a small town about 60-70 miles northeast of Austin, in an all Texas throwdown. Karl, 19-3 (12) had previously fought for a world title when he lost to Barrios in San Antonio on the undercard of Davis-Santa Cruz. Juarez, the blue-chip prospect, is on the fast track to fighting for a world title at 140 pounds and sports a 12-1 (5) record, he suffered his first career defeat back in June when he dropped a split decision to All Rivera in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He bounced back nicely and scored a dominant one-sided decision over 40-fight veteran Jairo Lopez. The fight will air on Fox in the build-up to the Thurman-Barrios PPV. Also on the card is Corpus Christi native John Rincon. He puts his 5-0 (2) record on the line against 4-0 (4) Ramon Duarte Marquez in a battle of unbeaten prospects. After a quick start to his career that saw Rincon fight on several major cards, he has been out of the ring for nearly two years for a litany of reasons.
On the Arizona card headlined by Cuadras and Bam Rodriguez, Fort Worth native, undefeated Edward "Kid" Vazquez will battle highly touted and undefeated New Jersey-based prospect Raymond "Savage" Ford in what promises to be a TV-friendly fight between two unbeaten featherweight prospects. Vazquez has delivered action-packed fights in the past when he got up off the canvas to dominate Adan Ochoa in a bout that was televised on ESPN and then he delivered a non-stop fight of the year type slugfest and outlasted Irvin Gonzalez on the undercard of the Mike Tyson-Roy Jones Jr PPV in November of 2020. Vazquez sports a perfect 12-0 (3) record and could be looking at a world title fight by the end of the calendar year should he beat Ford Saturday night at the Footprint Center
Two Texans take a Huge Step Up on DAZN Card
Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez of San Antonio got the phone call that could change his life. On Sunday Rodriguez was the newest member of the Matchroom Boxing and was preparing to fight a solid opponent in Fernando Diaz for a regional belt. No small task. That's when the San Antonian got the phone call that could change his life. He was informed that Srisaket Sor Rungivisai who twice beat the legendary Roman "Chocolatito" Gonzalez, was out of a world title fight with Carlos Cuadras, due to an illness and he was in. He would get his world title shot, one that even at just 22-years-old is long overdue for. It's just not a title shot it's a shot at a legend of the ring. One of the best and most exciting little men to have ever done it. It's also against a fighter two weight classes bigger than him. That's how confident Bam is and how confident his famed trainer Robert Garcia is and the rest of his team is in him. There was no hesitation to throw Bam in on short notice against a former world champ and legend of the ring that's two weight classes bigger than him on six-days notice. There is a mystique around the name Bam Rodriguez people don't just expect him to be a world champion they expect him to win multiple world titles in multiple divisions. He's one of a handful of fighters that represent the future of the sport. In simple terms "Bam is special". He gets to show the world just how special he is this Saturday at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Should he win, should he jump up not one but two weight classes and beat a potential future hall of fame, at just 22-years-old, Rodriguez would find himself in pound-for-pound discussions.
Also, on the card is Fort Worth's own Edward "Kid" Vazquez who, just like Bam, undefeated, but has taken a far different path. Vazquez found himself in a contract dispute that kept him out of the ring for prolonged periods. He finally got himself out of the contract. Signed with a new management company and got ready to fight. Then Vazquez ran into another issue, he had about half a dozen flights canceled due to the pandemic. One fight after another was postponed or canceled. "Kid" kept doing the only thing he knows to do. He kept fighting and he finally got his shot to shine. He got a fight on ESPN in the Top Rank bubble in Las Vegas. After a clean and impressive first round, the Fort Worthian found himself on the canvas and despite having just eight pro bouts got himself up, dusted himself off then controlled the final four rounds to take a decision over Adan Ochoa. He came back just two months later came back and on the undercard of Mike Tyson vs Roy Jones Jr, Vazquez scored a thrilling decision victory in a fight of the year, non-stop, action-packed, eight-round war with Irvin Gonzalez to capture the WBC USNBC featherweight title. He has scored a few more victories in stay busy fights and again gets to play the role of underdog and spoiler. Raymond Ford had a spectacular amateur career and was one of Matchroom's most touted US prospects and after a brilliant start, he suffered a draw with Aaron Perez. He bounced back nicely and scored some quality wins but is now matched incredibly tough with Vazquez. The two unbeaten prospects have more than an "0”' in their L columns the winner will jump to the head of the line and could be in a position to fight for a world title later in 2022.
Bam Rodirguez Signs Deal with Eddie Hearn
2020 Prospect of the Year Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez of San Antonio, has signed a multi-fight deal with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing. Rodriguez is regarded as one of the brightest young prospects in the sport and the future of the smaller weight classes he sports a 14-0 (10) and is long overdue for a world title fight. He will certainly bring excitement to Matchroom cards and has the right style to be a fan favorite especially with the rise in popularity of the smaller weight classes. Something Hearn and Matchroom have helped drive.
Rodriguez will be in action next Saturday, February 5th, at the Foot Print Center in Phoenix Arizona where he will do battle with Fernando Diaz of Riverside, California. The two will battle it out for the WBC USNBC Flyweight title and the bout will be streamed live on DAZN. The bout is on the undercard of what promises to be a fan-friendly slugfest between two of the great little men of all time as former world champion Srisket Sor Rungvisai battles former world champion Carlos Cuadras in a Super Flyweight battle who will battle for the vacant WBC Super Flyweight title.
Rodriguez expressed his excitement about joining the Matchroom family saying "I’m very excited to be joining the Matchroom team...This is huge for me and my career. This is my coming-out party – in 2022 we secure my World title shot, and then go looking for the biggest fights there are out there.”
"Bam" who last fought in October n the Mikey Garcia vs Sandor Martin Card in Fresno, California, is trained by Robert Garcia and has been called by Garcia and others as the best fighter in the camp. He is also the younger brother of WBA Super Flyweight Champ Joshua "El Profesor" Franco. He is co-promoted with Japanese promotional outfit Teiken Promotions.
Two Texans Featured on February DAZN Card in Phoenix
Eddie Hearn's Matchroom boxing will visit The Footprint center in Phoenix, Arizona, and will feature two highly touted Texans on the card that is headlined by the rematch of Srisaket Sor Rungvisai vs Carlos Cuadras on February 5th. Undefeated featherweight upstart Edward "Kid" Vazquez, 11-0 (3) looks to start 2022 how 2021 ended. Vazquez, of Fort Worth, emerged on the scene in 2020 after having multiple fights that delayed his return to the ring in 2020. Vazquez finally broke through against Adan Ochoa in September of 2020 facing real adversity, being dropped in the second round, the Fort Worthian got up and dominated the final four rounds and took a decision victory. He followed that up less than three months later in a fight of the year slugfest on the PPV blockbuster that featured Mike Tyson vs Roy Jones Jr. Vazquez stood in with Irvin Gonzalez and traded shots at close range on his way to take a split decision victory capture vacant World Boxing Council United States (USNBC) Featherweight title in closing out a spectacular 2020. In 2021 Vazquez fought twice more and scored two impressive stoppage victories including a first-round TKO of Ezequiel Alberto Tevez in Irving back in November. He will take on Camden NJ native Raymond ford who sports a 10-0-1 record who is a highly-touted prospect with a sparkling amateur resume. He emerged on the scene looking brilliantly before facing the Fort Worth Wolf Tony Lopez, a stablemate of Vazquez at FHG, in December of 2020. Ford survived a scare and scored a seventh-round TKO. He then suffered the first blemish on his record settling for a draw with Aaron Perez. Ford has however bounced, scoring TKO's of Reece Bellotti and Felix Caraballo.
The card also features San Antonio's own Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez, 14-0 (10). The undefeated 108 pounder is perhaps the best pound-for-pound prospect in the world. The now 21-year-old is long overdue for a title shot. The opportunity has eluded him due to covid and other reasons. He was our Prospect of the Year in 2020 and fought just once in 2021 but made it spectacular. Destroying Jose Alejandro Burgos over four one-sided rounds and scoring a sensational KO. There is no opponent confirmed for Rodriguez yet. Bam is the younger brother of WBA Super Flyweight world champ Joshua Franco.