In what promises to be a generational battle, rising star Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez faces off against the seasoned champion Juan Francisco Estrada on June 29 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, AZ, live on DAZN. This fight has all the makings of a classic, as the younger Rodriguez seeks to prove himself against a fighter many consider a future Hall-of-Famer.
I remember hearing renowned trainer Robert Garcia tell reporters that his fighter, San Antonio native Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez, was destined to be a special talent. Bam was slated for his first title shot at Flyweight on the undercard of Mikey Garcia vs. Sandor Martin in Fresno late in 2021. Though that opportunity fell through, he still delivered a spectacular fourth-round knockout, showcasing his beautiful angles and continuously passing the eye test.
When former champion Carlos Cuadras found himself without an opponent for his mandatory shot at the Super Flyweight WBC belt, Bam didn't hesitate to step up. He made the jump to the same weight class his older brother was contending in, ready for the title shot despite many believing it was 'too much, too soon.' Rodriguez's strategic footwork and perfectly-timed counters shone brightly, dropping Cuadras in the fourth round—a moment that reminded me of his trainer's words. Cuadras, a future hall-of-famer, survived the 12 rounds and remained competitive but couldn't outmatch Bam, who became the youngest world champion by capturing his first belt.
Critics argued that Cuadras was past his prime, despite dropping Juan Francisco Estrada in their 2020 rematch. Bam seemed to take that personally, announcing his first title defense against the “Rat King” himself, Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, who was notorious for disintegrating fan-favorite Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez in 2017 and holding the WBC Super Flyweight title until Estrada edged him out in a split decision in their 2021 rematch. Bam utilized his relentless power-boxing style to systematically break down Sor Rungvisai, dropping him in the seventh round before pummeling him against the ropes, causing the referee to wave off the fight in the eighth round—marking Sor Rungvisai’s first KO loss since 2009.
Rodriguez defended his title once more before returning to Flyweight to comfortably win a vacant WBC title in his hometown. Not one to shy away from challenges, Bam sought immediate unification against the then-undefeated Sunny Edwards, one of the UK's most impressive champions. After a heated build-up to their fight in Phoenix, AZ, Bam once again dismantled his opponent as the rounds progressed, punishing Edwards before stopping him in the ninth round to claim his title and tarnish his undefeated record.
Now, Bam is set to add another champion and veteran to his resume, returning to the Footprint Center to take on Juan Francisco Estrada, who has delivered some of the best battles in the smaller weight classes. A victory here can cement Bam as a legend in his own right, proving any remaining doubters wrong.
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