“Bam” Rodriguez Seeks to Dominate the Super Flyweight Division Before Moving Up
Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez has outlined his goals with precision: two fights to conquer the super flyweight division before moving up a weight class. The boxer, originally from San Antonio, Texas, is preparing to face Fernando Daniel Martinez for three world titles at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This event is part of a stellar card that includes world title fights between David Benavidez and Anthony Yarde (light heavyweight), as well as Brian Norman and Devin Haney (welterweight). Rodriguez, WBC and WBO champion, with a record of 22-0 and 15 KOs, stopped Phumelela Cafu in the tenth round in July to obtain his second title. Currently, he is ranked number 5 on the pound-for-pound list. His next challenge is Martinez (18-0, 9 KOs), from Buenos Aires, Argentina, who has defended his WBA title four times. If Rodriguez defeats Martinez, he will only need one more belt to achieve his goal of being the undisputed champion at 115 pounds. Willibaldo Garcia (23-6-2, 13 KOs), from Mexico, holds the IBF title, and will defend it against Kenshiro Teraji in Saudi Arabia on December 25.Rodriguez plans to have a maximum of two more fights in the super flyweight category before moving up. “I feel that the undisputed title fight (against the IBF champion) can happen. I have the support of Matchroom and my entire team, they will make that fight happen, I have full confidence that it will happen,” he added. The boxer also highlighted the quality of Martinez as a relentless opponent, but feels prepared for the challenge. “Having all these fighters on the same card is incredible and being a part of it is really exciting, it only benefits boxing,” he pointed out. This will be Rodríguez’s third attempt to defend his title in the super flyweight category, after having unified the world titles in flyweight. Rodríguez considers that he could compete in featherweight (126 pounds) and has figures like Naoya Inoue, the undisputed super bantamweight champion, and his Japanese rival Junto Nakatani in his sights. “We’ve talked about 126 pounds, that would be the maximum, I’m not sure I can go any further, only time will tell, but I think I’ll end my career at 126,” Bam commented. Rodriguez also expressed his desire to fight in Japan in the future. “I would love to fight in Japan someday. Every time I go, I enjoy it and I know I have some fans there.”“My goal is to be undisputed. If I surpass Martinez, there will only be one belt left, so I’m close to achieving it,” Bam stated.
Bam Rodriguez
