Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez planted himself into the elite level with a stunning stoppage win over Srisaket Sor Rungvisai to defend his WBC super flyweight title on home soil in San Antonio, Texas.
“My skills proved a point tonight,” said Rodriguez. “My team knows what I am capable of and what I bring to the table, that’s why we took the fight. I felt I started to break him down after three rounds, the power wasn’t there from him. I knew I couldn’t stand there but we came in and put on a show. I was using my angles more, Robert kept telling me to do that and I listened.
“The Cuadras fight gave me experience and put me here, fighting at home in San Antonio. I will do whatever Robert (Garcia) says. I am a special fighter, not an average fighter and I am here to stay.
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“San Antonio has a superstar on their hands,” added promoter Eddie Hearn. “Fighters like this come around once in a generation. You are talking about some of the great fighters in Chocolatito, Juan Francisco Estrada – but can you say that Jesse wouldn’t beat them?
“San Antonio should be very proud of this kid. A special talent and it’s all down to the speed that Robert and the team want to go. I think he can unify at any division from 108lbs to 115lbs and he’s got all the tools to become a legend of the sport. He’s a baby, he’s still learning, it was a great turnout tonight and we’re going to get bigger and bigger.”
Great win Bam!!! Viva México Cabronesss
Rungvasai is nowhere near the fighter he was when he knocked out chocolatito. He has been very inactive and his last performance was pretty poor. This Rodriguez kid is a good fighter but he has not proven to be special, yet.
I did NOT think he could beat Sor Rungvisai! While it’s clear that he isn’t the fighter that starched Chocolatito years ago, he’s still a true litmus test! Hats off to Bam! Can’t wait to see what’s next??!!
It’ll be interesting to see how they move him. I’m hoping they go slower given his age, but I have to admit with the other champions being busy at the time – Estrada’s fighting his brother, Ioka has Nietes in a few weeks and Ancajas is taking his rematch against Martinez last I heard – that leaves Chocolatito. They had that superfly big 4 a few years ago, Gonzalez, Estrada, Rungvisai and Cuadras, can you imagine a 22 year old gets wins against 3 of them in the same year?! I don’t know if Gonzalez would fight him but, like I said, he doesn’t seem to have a lot of options right now.
Excellent point! Again, while these future hall of gamers are no longer in their prime, they are STILL tough as shit and hard to beat!
And you saw how Gonzalez looked in his last fight… and the one before that against Estrada and the one before that against Yafai. He clearly still has a lot left, if Rodriguez could beat him even at 35, that would be very impressive.
There are some important facts in Rodriguez favor, if a fight against Gonzalez were about to take place, that could be enough to defeat Gonzalez, even stopping him. 1) Rodriguez is getting better with each fight and is a bigger man
2)He is a more accurate puncher
3) Is a southpaw with great skills
4) Seems to have a solid chin that allows him to fight very close and furthermore land accurate hard punches. Not the same, but his style reminds me Salvador Sanchez
Who are these guys
Chocolatito next please.
I don’t care if Sor Rungvisai might be only a shadow of what he once was, Bam still looked phenomenal! I found no fault with anything! He appeared to be faster, way better footwork and most surprising he seemed to be bigger. And they say he can still make 108!
No matter who he fights next I’m watching!
Rodriguez looked very good and has the actual look and feel of a star fighter. Somewhat reminds me of a young Mickey Garcia before running into a fighter like Errol Spence
Let me guess: Sor Rung Visal wants a rematch.
I really think he can beat Estrada now chocolate is a different story not ready for a chocolate
Good fighter, can’t wait to see him fight against a top dog of the division, but a younger one please.. Not an ex champ who is washed up please.. After Cuadras and Rungvisai why not Chocolatito ?! But these guy’s are the past of the division not the future..