Jesse Rodriguez (boxer)

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Jesse Rodríguez
Born
Jesse James Rodríguez Franco

(2000-01-20) January 20, 2000 (age 24)
Other namesBam
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 4+12 in (164 cm)[1]
Reach67 in (170 cm)[1]
StanceSouthpaw
Boxing record[2]
Total fights19
Wins19
Wins by KO12
Medal record
Men's amateur boxing
Representing  United States
Junior World Championships
Silver medal – second place 2015 St. Petersburg Pinweight

Jesse James Rodríguez Franco (born January 20, 2000) is an American professional boxer. He has held world championships in two weight classes, including the World Boxing Council (WBC) super flyweight title in 2022 and the unified World Boxing Organization (WBO) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight titles from 2023 to 2024.

As of April 2024, Rodriguez is ranked as the world's best active flyweight and 10th best active boxer pound for pound by both The Ring magazine.[3]

Professional career[edit]

Early career[edit]

During his amateur career, Rodríguez won two U.S. National Youth Championships (in 2015 and 2016), as well as the 2016 U.S. Junior Open Tournament.[4][5] At the international level, he won the silver medal at the 2015 Junior World Championships.[6]

Rodríguez made his professional debut against Mauricio Cruz on March 10, 2017, winning by unanimous decision. By the end of 2019, Rodríguez amassed a 10–0 record, with six of those victories coming by way of stoppage.[7]

Rodríguez was scheduled to face Marco Sustaita on February 29, 2020, on the undercard of the Mikey Garcia versus Jessie Vargas bout. Rodríguez won the fight by eighth-round technical knockout.[8] Rodríguez was next scheduled to face the one-time WBC light flyweight title challenger Janiel Rivera on September 5, 2020. He won the fight by a first-round knockout, managing to drop Rivera three times by the 2 minute mark of the opening round.[9][10] Rodríguez was scheduled to fight Saul Juarez on December 12, 2020, on the undercard of the Shakur Stevenson and Toka Kahn Clary junior lightweight bout.[11] Rodríguez lived up to his role as the significant betting favorite,[12] knocking Juarez out in the second.[13]

Rodríguez was expected to challenge the reigning WBA (Regular) champion Esteban Bermudez in late 2021, however the fight was later cancelled as it didn't receive approval from the WBA.[14] Rodríguez was instead scheduled to face Jose Alejandro Burgos on October 16, 2021,[15] whom he beat by a fourth-round knockout.[16]

WBC super flyweight championship[edit]

Rodriguez vs. Cuadras[edit]

Rodriguez was expected to face Fernando Diaz for the WBC USNBC flyweight title on February 5, 2022, on the undercard of the WBC super-flyweight title bout between Srisaket Sor Rungvisai and Carlos Cuadras.[17] Soon after this fight was revealed, it was announced that Rodriguez had signed a promotional deal with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing.[18] On January 31, it was announced that Srisaket had withdrawn from his bout with Cuadras, and would be replaced on a five-days notice by Rodriguez. It was Rodriguez's first super-flyweight fight since December 1, 2018.[19] Rodriguez won the fight by unanimous decision. Two judges scored the fight 117–110 for him, while the third judge scored the bout 115–112 in his favor. He scored the sole knockdown of the fight in the third round, flooring the former titleholder with a right uppercut. Winning the title made Rodriguez the youngest active titlist in the sport.[20]

Rodriguez vs. Sor Rungvisai[edit]

Rodriguez was scheduled to make his first title defense against the former The Ring magazine, lineal and WBC super flyweight champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai on June 25, 2022. The title bout was booked as the main event of a DAZN broadcast card, which took place at the Tech Port Arena in San Antonio, Texas.[21] Rodriguez won the fight by an eight-round technical knockout, stopping Sor Rungvisai with a flurry of punches at the 1:50 minute mark. He knocked his opponent down once prior to the stoppage, dropping Sor Rungvisai with a left hook a minute into the seventh round.[22] Rodriguez outlanded Sor Rungvisai in both total punches landed (233 to 84) and power punches landed (119 to 72).[23] Following this victory, Rodriguez extended his contract with Matchroom Boxing.[24]

Rodriguez vs. González[edit]

Rodriguez made his second title defense against the three-time super flyweight world title challenger, and the #10 ranked WBC contender, Israel González. The fight was scheduled as the co-headliner of the Canelo Álvarez vs. Gennady Golovkin III DAZN pay per view, which took place at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada on September 17, 2022.[25] Rodriguez retained his title by unanimous decision, with scores of 118–109, 117–110 and 114–113. He was deducted a point in the eight round for landing a low blow, which left González on the canvas. González was dropped with a low blow in the eleventh round as well, although no point was deducted.[26]

On October 26, 2022, it was announced by the WBC that Rodriguez had vacated the super flyweight title in order to compete at flyweight.[27]

Rodriguez vs. Estrada[edit]

On June 29, 2024 in Phoenix, AZ, Rodriguez is scheduled to challenge Juan Francisco Estrada for his WBC super flyweight title.[28]

WBO flyweight champion[edit]

Rodriguez vs. Gonzalez[edit]

On October 28, 2022, the WBO ratings committee approved a request for Rodriguez to be ranked as the top contender at flyweight and immediately challenge for the title. As Junto Nakatani vacated the belt in order to move up to super flyweight, the sanctioning body ordered a vacant title bout between Rodriguez and Cristian Gonzalez, their #2 ranked flyweight contender.[29] The fight was booked to take place on April 8, 2023, at the Boeing Center at Techport in San Antonio, Texas.[30][31] Rodriguez won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 116–112, 117–111 and 118–110, to once again become the youngest active titlist in the sport. He revealed, in the post-fight interview, that he had suffered a broken jaw in the sixth round.[32] It was confirmed the following day that Rodriguez would have to undergo surgery to heal the injury.[33]

Unified flyweight champion[edit]

Rodriguez vs. Edwards[edit]

Rodriguez faced the four-time defending IBF flyweight champion Sunny Edwards in the main event of a DAZN broadcast show on December 16, 2023, at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.[34] He unified the titles by a ninth-round stoppage, as Edwards retired from the contest at the end of the round. Rodriguez was able to knock his opponent down once in the ninth round, dropping Edwards for the third time in his professional career.[35][36] Rodriguez outlanded Edwards 238 to 138 in total punches and 180 to 75 in power punches, successfully landing 62% of his power shots.[37]

Professional boxing record[edit]

19 fights 19 wins 0 losses
By knockout 12 0
By decision 7 0
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
19 Win 19–0 Sunny Edwards RTD 9 (12), 3:00 Dec 16, 2023 Desert Diamond Arena, Glendale, Arizona, U.S. Retained WBO flyweight title;
Won IBF flyweight title
18 Win 18–0 Cristian Gonzalez UD 12 Apr 8, 2023 Boeing Center at Techport, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. Won vacant WBO flyweight title
17 Win 17–0 Israel González UD 12 Sep 17, 2022 T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Retained WBC super flyweight title
16 Win 16–0 Srisaket Sor Rungvisai TKO 8 (12), 1:50 Jun 25, 2022 Tech Port Arena, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. Retained WBC super flyweight title
15 Win 15–0 Carlos Cuadras UD 12 Feb 5, 2022 Footprint Center, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. Won vacant WBC super flyweight title
14 Win 14–0 Jose Alejandro Burgos KO 4 (10), 1:23 Oct 16, 2021 Chukchansi Park, Fresno, California, U.S.
13 Win 13–0 Saúl Juárez KO 2 (8), 2:05 Dec 12, 2020 MGM Grand Conference Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
12 Win 12–0 Janiel Rivera KO 1 (8), 2:03 Sep 5, 2020 MGM Grand Conference Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
11 Win 11–0 Marco Sustaita TKO 8 (10), 1:10 Feb 29, 2020 Ford Center at The Star, Frisco, Texas, U.S.
10 Win 10–0 Cesar Garcia Torrijos TKO 3 (10), 2:23 Jul 27, 2019 Event Center, Floresville, Texas, U.S.
9 Win 9–0 Rauf Aghayev TKO 3 (10), 2:50 Mar 16, 2019 AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas, U.S.
8 Win 8–0 Josue Morales UD 6 Dec 1, 2018 Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 Edwin Reyes UD 8 Sep 30, 2018 Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario, California, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 Armando Vazquez KO 3 (6), 2:18 May 5, 2018 Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 Santiago Sanchez Bayardo TKO 1 (4), 1:33 Mar 9, 2018 Mi Mercado Event Center, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 Jorge Mosqueira KO 2 (4), 1:22 Nov 17, 2017 Salon Mezzanine, Tijuana, Mexico
3 Win 3–0 Robert Ledesma UD 4 Jun 10, 2017 Event Center, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Erick Jovani Negrete TKO 1 (4), 1:39 Apr 28, 2017 Salon Mezzanine, Tijuana, Mexico
1 Win 1–0 Mauricio Cruz UD 4 Mar 10, 2017 Carpa Astros, Tlalpan, Mexico

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b DAZN Boxing tale of the tape prior to the Cristian Gonzalez fight.
  2. ^ "Boxing record for Jesse Rodríguez". BoxRec.
  3. ^ "Ring Magazine Ratings". ringtv.com. The Ring Magazine. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  4. ^ FloCombat Staff (April 1, 2016). "Sean Garcia vs Jesse Rodriguez Junior Open and Youth National Championships". flocombat.com. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  5. ^ "2016 Junior Olympic, Prep National & Youth Open Championships". sportofboxing.com. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  6. ^ "Bantamweight Marc Castro Wins Gold at the 2015 Junior World Championships". TeamUSA.org. September 14, 2015. Archived from the original on September 27, 2015. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  7. ^ Random Hits (July 9, 2019). "Jesse Rodriguez vs. Cesar Garcia Torrijos in Battle of Unbeatens". boxingscene.com. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  8. ^ Sanchez, Hector (February 14, 2020). "PRESS RELEASE: GARCIA vs VARGAS CLASH FOR THE WBC DIAMOND BELT AT THE "STAR" IN FRISCO, TEXAS". inthering.net. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  9. ^ Salazar, Francisco (September 5, 2020). "Jesse Rodriguez scores first round KO over Janiel Rivera". ringtv.com. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  10. ^ Dawson, Alan (September 6, 2020). "A 20-year-old American bulldozed through an older opponent, knocking him down 3 times and out for good in the first round". insider.com. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  11. ^ Salazar, Francisco. "Garcia-trained Jesse Rodriguez to fight Saul Juarez on Saturday night in Las Vegas". eu.vcstar.com. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  12. ^ "Jesse Rodriguez versus Saul Juarez breakdown". boxingfulcrum.com. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  13. ^ Donovan, Jake (December 12, 2020). "Jesse Rodriguez Blasts Out Saul Juarez in Two Rounds". boxingscene.com. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  14. ^ Donovan, Jake (September 16, 2021). "WBA Confirms Bermudez Still Tied To Ordered Title Fight With Kyoguchi, Has Yet To Approve Bermudez-Rodriguez". boxingscene.com. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  15. ^ Stumberg, Patrick L. (October 11, 2021). "Esteban Bermudez out, Jesse Rodriguez vs Jose Alejandro Burgos set for October 16th". badlefthook.com. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  16. ^ Donovan, Jake (October 16, 2021). "Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez Drops Jose Alejandro Burgos, Scores 4th Round Stoppage In Fresno". boxingscene.com. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  17. ^ Newswire (January 30, 2022). "Jesse Rodriguez faces Fernando Diaz on Rungvisai vs Cuadras 2 card in Phoenix". fightmag.com.au. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  18. ^ Random Hits (January 28, 2022). "Jesse Rodriguez Inks Promotional Pact With Eddie Hearn". boxingscene.com. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  19. ^ Rodríguez, Salvador (January 31, 2022). "Carlos Cuadras ante Jesse Rodríguez por faja CMB; Rungvisai, fuera". espn.com.mx. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  20. ^ Donovan, Jake (February 6, 2022). "Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez Drops, Outpoints Carlos Cuadras For WBC Strap, Becomes Youngest Current Champion". boxingscene.com. Retrieved February 6, 2022.
  21. ^ Ring TV (April 26, 2022). "Jesse Rodriguez-Sisaket Sor Rungvisai And Kyoguchi-Bermudez Set For June". ringtv.com. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  22. ^ Salazar, Francisco (June 25, 2022). "Jesse Rodriguez Scores Star-Making TKO Win Over Srisaket Sor Rungvisai To Retain WBC Junior Bantamweight Title". ringtv.com. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
  23. ^ Compubox (June 26, 2022). "CompuBox: Bam Rodriguez Lands 54% of Total Punches on Sor Rungvisai". boxingscene.com. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
  24. ^ Christ, Scott (June 27, 2022). "Jesse Rodriguez extends contract with Matchroom Boxing after Rungvisai domination". badlefthook.com. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  25. ^ Ring TV (July 11, 2022). "Jesse Rodriguez Will Risk His 115-Pound Belt Against Israel Gonzalez In Canelo-ggg III Undercard". ringtv.com. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  26. ^ Santoliquito, Joseph (September 17, 2022). "Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez Outpoints Resilient Israel Gonzalez In Second WBC Title Defense". ringtv.com. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  27. ^ Stumberg, Patrick L. (October 26, 2022). "Jesse Rodriguez vacates super flyweight title, returns to 112". badlefthook.com. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  28. ^ Iskenderov, Parviz (March 29, 2024). "Juan Francisco Estrada faces Jesse Rodriguez in Phoenix, AZ in June". FIGHTMAG.
  29. ^ Donovan, Jake (October 27, 2022). "Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez-Cristian Gonzalez Ordered For WBO Flyweight Title Vacated By Junto Nakatani". boxingscene.com. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  30. ^ Coppinger, Mike (January 4, 2023). "Sources: Jesse Rodriguez, Cristian Gonzalez set for title fight". espn.com. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  31. ^ Donovan, Jake (February 6, 2023). "Jesse Rodriguez-Cristian Gonzalez WBO Title Fight Set For April 8 At Tech Port Arena In San Antonio". boxingscene.com. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  32. ^ Hansen, John N. (April 9, 2023). "Rodriguez vs Gonzalez full fight video highlights and results: Bam Rodriguez wins wide decision, Marlon Tapales upsets Murodjon Akhmadaliev". badlefthook.com. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  33. ^ Donovan, Jake (April 9, 2023). "Jesse Rodriguez Confirms Fractured Jaw, Will Require Surgery Following WBO Flyweight Title Win". boxingscene.com. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  34. ^ Stumberg, Patrick L. (August 10, 2023). "Jesse Rodriguez vs Sunny Edwards reportedly set for December 16th in Arizona". badlefthook.com. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  35. ^ Donovan, Jake (December 16, 2023). "Bam Rodriguez Drops, Beats Down Sunny Edwards For TKO in Ten To Unify WBO, IBF Titles". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  36. ^ Hansen, John (December 17, 2023). "BIG FINISH! Bam Rodriguez finishes Sunny Edwards to unify flyweight belts by TKO-10!". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  37. ^ "CompuBox: Bam Rodriguez Lands 62% of Power Punches on Sunny Edwards". BoxingScene.com. December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023.

External links[edit]

Sporting positions
World boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Juan Francisco Estrada
WBC super flyweight champion
February 5, 2022 – October 26, 2022
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Juan Francisco Estarda
Vacant
Title last held by
Junto Nakatani
WBO flyweight champion
April 8, 2023 – March 29, 2024
Vacated
Vacant
Preceded by IBF flyweight champion
December 16, 2023 – March 29, 2024
Vacated