By: Sean Crose
Jesse Rodriguez, the reigning WBC 15-0 super featherweight champion of the world, took on the title’s former owner, 50-5-1 Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, in a scheduled round of 12, the main event being airs on DAZN at San Antonio’s Tech Port Arena on Saturday nights. If Sor Rungvisai takes Rodriguez’s belt, he will be the first Thai boxer to win the WBC three times.
Rodriguez combined rhythm with his feet with some flashy moments in the first three innings. Obviously the champion is the faster and smoother boxer of the two. However, Sor Rungvisai had his moments. When he’s able to land, you know he’s landed well. However, Rodriguez’s deft defense was very impressive. It will be interesting as the fight continues to see if Sor Rungvisai can finally bring down his men.
However, in the middle of the match, the defending champion completely controlled the game. Rodriguez’s stabs were a great one, beating the veteran opponent and certainly impressing the judges. Sometimes the fight looks like a clinic. However, quite interestingly, in the sixth round, Sor Rungvisai started to be a little rougher than his man. It also saw Rodriguez slow down a bit. Rodriguez may have won the inning, but he was clearly a tough opponent.
However, what happened in the next few minutes was mesmerizing. Not only did Rodriguez play better than his senior, he also started to seriously beat Sor Rungvisai in the seventh round. Despite getting up after a knock, the old general Sor Rungvisai was clearly beaten. In his corner between rounds, the former champion looked completely in disarray. The fight didn’t last until the end of season eight. With his head punched in the pocket, Sor Rungvisai was saved by the referee who wisely stopped the match.
Boxing has a new star.
