Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez: A Rising Star in Boxing
Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez, a rising star in the boxing world, is setting his sights on completing his journey in the junior bantamweight division before shifting up in weight. The 25-year-old fighter from San Antonio, Texas, is scheduled to face Fernando Daniel Martinez for three championship belts at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Exciting Matchups Ahead
This event promises an exciting lineup, including notable matchups like David Benavidez against Anthony Yarde in the light heavyweight category and Brian Norman taking on Devin Haney at welterweight, both of which are also for world titles.
Rodriguez’s Impressive Record
Currently unbeaten at 22-0 with 15 knockouts, Rodriguez captured his second title by defeating Phumelela Cafu in the tenth round last July. He has recently secured a spot as the fifth best pound-for-pound boxer according to ESPN rankings.
Now, he is preparing to challenge Martinez, who boasts an 18-0 record with 9 knockouts and has successfully defended his WBA title four times. If Rodriguez secures victory over Martinez, he will need just one more title to become the undisputed champion at 115 pounds. The IBF belt is held by Willibaldo Garcia, who will defend it against Kenshiro Teraji on December 25 in Saudi Arabia.
Rodriguez’s Determination
Rodriguez has expressed his determination, stating,
“Becoming undisputed is my goal; if I get through Martinez, I am just one belt away from that achievement.”
He anticipates having a maximum of two more bouts in the junior bantamweight division before moving up a class. He stated,
“After this fight and one more, I plan to become undisputed, and I believe my team will help make the IBF championship fight happen.”
Facing Challenges and Future Aspirations
Looking ahead, Bam acknowledges the challenge posed by Martinez, recognizing him as a relentless competitor, but he feels prepared for the bout. He emphasized the significance of such high-caliber fights coming together on one card, calling it a positive development for boxing.
This upcoming match will mark Rodriguez’s third defense as a junior bantamweight champion and follows his success in unifying world titles at flyweight. As he contemplates future challenges, he mentions his aspirations to eventually compete at featherweight (126 pounds) where he might face top fighters like the undisputed junior featherweight champion Naoya Inoue or his Japanese rival Junto Nakatani. He noted,
“We’ve discussed moving up to 126 pounds; that might be my ceiling, but I envision ending my career there.”
Rodriguez also expressed his interest in fighting in Japan, a place he enjoys visiting and where he has garnered a fan base.
