“Bam” Rodriguez Challenges Veteran Estrada for Super-Flyweight Crown
On Saturday night, rising star Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez of Texas will face veteran WBC super-flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada of Mexico in a highly anticipated bout at the Footprint Center in Phoenix. This clash could signal a changing of the guard in the division.
The 24-year-old Rodriguez (19-0, 12 KOs) has prepared extensively for this opportunity by sparring frequently at trainer Robert Garcia’s gym in Riverside, California, against Estrada’s longtime rival, four-division champion Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez. If Rodriguez emerges victorious, he will find himself in position to unify titles, with WBO champion Kosei Tanaka and WBA four-division titlist Kazuto Ioka, both from Japan, holding the other prominent belts in the division.
“I’m going over there and collecting titles,” said fellow analyst Chris Algieri. “The money is in the East. That money in Japan is different. Get those titles. Get that bag.”
BBC Boxing analyst Paulie Malignaggi emphasized the importance of Rodriguez pursuing unification fights to maximize his earning potential in the lower weight classes, where Latino and American fighters have recently gained increased popularity in the West. However, with the strong following Japanese champions like Inoue have garnered, the “Deep Waters” crew believes the opportunity to make lucrative bouts in the Land of the Rising Sun is ripe for the taking.
Malignaggi and Algieri praised Rodriguez’s dedication to his craft, noting that his high-quality sparring against the experienced Gonzalez has been instrumental in his development, providing both technical skills and the necessary intensity to challenge veteran opponents like Estrada (44-3, 28 KOs), who has already carved out an illustrious legacy in the division.
“Top-quality sparring always makes you better. You always seek that out for a big, important fight,” Malignaggi said. “It’s both for the skillset and the little subliminal things that ‘Bam’ has talked about with ‘Chocolatito.'”
Algieri echoed these sentiments, highlighting Rodriguez’s calculated and intellectual approach to the sport, which mirrors that of his brother, former world champion Joshua Franco.
Now, the stage is set for Rodriguez to face the Mexican legend Estrada, who has already proven his dominance by defeating the likes of Gonzalez, Carlos Cuadras, and Srisaket Sor Rungvisai. If Rodriguez can emerge victorious, it will be a significant milestone in his career, as he seeks to establish himself as the new face of the super-flyweight division.
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