Struggle followers had been handled to a rattling good motion battle final night time in Phoenix, whereas we additionally noticed an excellent profitable efficiency from one of many sport’s hottest decrease weight ring warriors. Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez delivered in fashion in his problem of WBC 115 pound champ Juan Francisco Estrada, the 24 yr previous turning into the primary man to cease the teak-tough Mexican.
And, in what added additional pleasure to final night time’s battle, Rodriguez needed to stand up from a (flash) knockdown to win. In his return to the 115 pound division, this after unifying down at 112 kilos, “Bam” placed on a efficiency that “unquestionably” makes him a pound-for-pound star. That is what promoter Eddie Hearn mentioned after final night time’s seventh spherical physique shot stoppage win for “Bam,” and loads of us agree with him.
Rodriguez, 20-0(13) appears to have the ability to do all of it: He can field, he can bang, he can take an excellent shot, he can damage to the top and to the physique, Rodriguez can go all night time. Certainly, Rodriguez is a particular fighter. So, what subsequent?
Rodriguez, who should be a few years from his absolute peak, has loads of choices. A return battle with Estrada, 44-4(28) is a chance, as Estrada had a rematch clause in his contract going into final night time’s battle, with the 34 yr previous suggesting he intends to implement it. Final night time’s battle was ok to warrant a part-two, even when “Bam” has different, extra attention-grabbing choices.
The large Dream Struggle Rodriguez has spoken of is him taking up Japanese celebrity and, for some, pound-for-pound No1 Naoya Inoue. This “Monster” of a battle may occur subsequent yr. Rodriguez must soar up two weight divisions to get it on with Inoue, the present unified champ at 122 kilos; that or a catch weight showdown may happen. If “Bam” can placed on the burden and stay efficient and never be compromised when it comes to pace and energy, who is aware of, we may have an absolute basic battle of the long run with Inoue Vs. Rodriguez.
Within the meantime, Rodriguez may look to face the winner of the upcoming battle between Kazuto Ioka and Fernando Martinez, who battle in a two-belt unification conflict subsequent month. Perhaps Rodriguez will look to unify the 115 pound division?
For now, the specialists must get busy deciding simply the place Rodriguez needs to be positioned within the P-4-P charts.
“While you point out [Terence] Crawford, if you point out [Oleksandr] Usyk, if you point out [Naoya] Inoue within the pound-for-pound listing, you higher say these three particular letters – ‘Bam,’ proper?” Hearn mentioned.
Proper.
