Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez has set his sights on two fights to unify the super flyweight division before moving up in weight. The boxer from San Antonio, Texas, will face Fernando Daniel Martínez for three world titles at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in a main card that also includes the fight between David Benavidez and Anthony Yarde (light heavyweight) and Brian Norman against Devin Haney (welterweight) in fights for world titles. Rodriguez (22-0, 15 KOs), WBC and WBO champion, 25, defeated Phumelela Cafu in the tenth round to win a second title in July and is currently ranked number 5 on the pound-for-pound list before facing Martinez (18-0, 9 KOs), 34, from Buenos Aires, Argentina, who has made four defenses of his title as WBA champion. If he beats Martinez, Bam will need one more belt to achieve his goal of being the undisputed champion at 115 pounds. Willibaldo García (23-6-2, 13 KOs), 35, from Mexico, holds the IBF title, which he will defend against Kenshiro Teraji in Saudi Arabia on December 25.
“The goal is to be the undisputed, if I pass Martínez there’s only one belt left, so I’m very close to achieving it,” said Bam.
Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez
“I will have two more fights at most in super flyweight and then I will move up in weight. So this one and then one more, to be the undisputed champion.
Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez
“I feel that the fight for the undisputed title [against the IBF champion] can be made, I have Matchroom and my whole team behind me, they will make that fight happen, I have full confidence that it will happen.
Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez
This will be Bam’s third defense of the super flyweight title after also unifying the world titles at flyweight. Rodriguez believes he can box at featherweight (126 pounds) and says that boxers like undisputed super featherweight champion Naoya Inoue and his Japanese rival Junto Nakatani will soon be on his radar.“Martínez is a good fighter, he is very relentless and doesn’t stop throwing punches, but I am more than prepared for him. Having all these boxers on the same card on Saturday is incredible and being a part of it is really exciting, it’s only good for boxing”.
Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez
“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 said.
Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez
“I think those fights against Inoue, Nakatani will happen in the future. Inoue against Nakatani, when it happens, is a great fight and whoever connects first will be the winner.
Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez
“I would love to fight in Japan someday. Every time I go there I enjoy it and I know I have some fans there”.
Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez
