Ahead of his knockout victory over Pedro Guevara, pint-sized puncher ‘Bam’ spoke to Rob Tebbutt…
JESSE RODRIGUEZ has established himself as one of the best fighters on the planet.
The 24-year-old has been fighting at lighter weight since winning his first world title in February 2022 and, with a devastating seventh-round victory over Mexican legend Juan Francisco Estrada in May, ‘Bama’s meteoric rise shows little sign of slowing.
“Yes. I mean, it was a big fight. “I feel like it was my best performance so far,” Rodriguez said Boxing News.
“Especially with an opponent like Estrada. He’s a legend in all of boxing, so to handle him the way I did, it shows a lot about who I am.
“It (the Estrada fight) it was a little different, just because it was his territory, because I was in Phoenix, but I handled that well, too. So like I said, it just shows not only as a fighter, but as a person, that’s who I am.”
A fight against Estrada would give Rodriguez a chance to show off a side of his game that hasn’t been needed until now: his grit.
Billed as ‘Passing the Torch’ between the old and new generations, the action itself would live up to lofty expectations ahead of the fight. Estrada was knocked down in the fourth, before fighting back in the sixth; sending Rodriguez to the canvas for the first time in his career, courtesy of a sharp right hand.
“Yes. I mean, it was a learning experience,” Rodriguez laughed.
“Looking back on it now, I should have listened to my coaches. They told me not to get too comfortable: that’s what I did. That’s why I ended up on canvas. I just need to learn my lesson, pay attention, not be lazy and just listen to my coach at all times.”
Lesson learned. Quickly. After righting the ship in the sixth, Rodriguez would end the round on top, before a sharp left uppercut down the middle in the remaining seconds of the seventh sent Estrada down once again. This time, the referee would count to 10 as ‘El Gallo’ lay on his back, writhing in agony as Rodriguez rejoiced.
Estrada, a proud champion who was stopped for the first time in an illustrious 48-fight career, would be quick to signal his intention to invoke his contractual rematch clause. He was, of course, the first to knock Rodriguez down and, at least in parts of the fight, he was as competitive as anyone with ‘Bama.
The rematch, however, would not materialize; with Estrada choosing to go in a different direction as he nears the end of his Hall of Fame-worthy career. Who could blame him? Especially when looking back at the sickening impact of a body shot that would have ended his reign as champion.
“Oh yeah, that’s what we expected (immediate rematch) right after the fight.”
“It was already in the contract that we would have a rematch. So, I mean, we waited two months just to find out he pulled out, and that’s why we ended up here fighting Pedro Guevara (in Philly on November 9th). But, I mean, it is what it is. That’s his decision. I have to respect at the end of the day.”
Following Estrada’s withdrawal, Rodriguez faces Mexico’s Guevara who, although he beat Australia’s Andrew Moloney in his last bout, is far from the top opposition that has produced Rodriguez’s best results to date.
Regardless, ‘Bam’ remains focused on replicating his stellar results against some of the sport’s big names, although he will go into the fight as heavy favourites. For most, the only question is how decisively Rodriguez will deal with Guevara, a defeat that is simply unthinkable.
“I feel like, for other people, this is an exhibition fight, but for me, it’s just as dangerous as my previous two fights. I’m on pound for pound list now, so I have to go there and improve it.
“I don’t want to try too hard to look impressive.” I just have to go out there and take it like any other fight. In my last two fights, the way I performed is the way I have to perform on November 9th. Come fight night, I’ll be ready to take what I learned from those fights and be more prepared, mentally and physically.”
Rodriguez’s return will also see him form one half of a tantalizing new ‘double-act’ alongside IBF light heavyweight champion and fellow promoter Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis. The duo, who are signed to Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing, are widely regarded as two of the future superstars of American and indeed world boxing.
With the card taking place at the 21,000 capacity Wells Fargo Center in Ennis’ hometown of Philadelphia, Rodriguez himself is excited about the opportunity to showcase his talents to a new audience, this time on America’s East Coast. Doing so alongside another fighter of Ennis’ caliber is another welcome bonus.
“This is a huge opportunity for me, not only to fight on a huge card, but to expose my fighting style to the East Coast.
“I’ve never fought on the East Coast, not even as an amateur. It’s an opportunity to showcase my skills, my career and to share it with ‘Boots’ – one of the best in all of boxing – it’s an honour.”
The pairing of two top boxing talents has been well received by boxing fans, with ‘Boots/Bam’ joining ‘GGG/Chocolatito’ and, more recently, ‘Benavidez/Tank’ as a rare opportunity to see two star fighters seemingly content to share the spotlight.
However, there is no escaping the fact that both Ennis and Rodriguez enter their matches as heavy favorites. While Ennis has so far struggled to secure fights with the biggest names in the welterweight division, Rodriguez already boasts a string of top-flight victories in his relatively short career at the highest level.
With dominant victories over three of the consensus ‘Four Kings’ in super flyweight in Carlos Cuadras, Srisaket Sor Rungvisai and the aforementioned Estrada, there remains one name that has eluded Rodriguez until now: the great Nicaraguan Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez.
The match with Gonzalez was previously thought to be a non-starter, due to the wishes of Teiken Promotions the mighty Akihiko Honda who promotes both Rodriguez (in addition to Matchroom Boxing) and Chocolatita.
However, recent reports suggest that the fantasy match could be back on the table, potentially in 2025 in Saudi Arabia. While ‘Bam’ was quick to dismiss the stories as ‘fake news’, he refused to rule out a future fight with the legendary four-weight world champion.
“Yeah, I mean, it was some fake news. Robert (Garcia) he clarified that on Twitter. He said, if the unification struggles don’t come after this one (Guevara)then that’s a fight we’d be interested in if he (Gonzales) is with him.
“So if it happens, it happens.” If not, there are other fighters I want to fight.”
Rodriguez’s emergence as an elite-level operator has paralleled another rise to power in boxing.
Turki Alalshikh, head of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, quickly established himself as a key figure in the sport with the introduction of the Saudi season in Riyadh events. With rumors of Rodriguez appearing in the season in Riyadh card in the near future, it’s an option that not only appeals to the San Antonio native, but is already listed in the terms of his contract.
“I signed a new contract with Matchroom and (the fight in) Saudi Arabia is actually in the contract,” Rodriguez confirmed BN. “If I fight there, they have my purse ready.” That’s another place I’d like to fight.”
With Saudi Arabia already hosting two undisputed title fights in Fury vs. Usyk and Beterbiev vs. Bivol in 2024 alone, Rodriguez is hoping the riches offered by Alalshik and GEA could allow him to get his own shot at unifying all four belt in the 115-pound division. division.
“I feel like I would fight (WBA and IBF champion Fernando Daniel) Martinez there (in Saudi Arabia), if it was up to me.” It would be a great fight.”
Whether the future involves a trip to Saudi Arabia, San Antonio or somewhere in between, Rodriguez, at just 24 years old, has already cemented himself as one of the hottest talents of his generation.
The desert might be the best place for him.