Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez (16-0, 11 KOs) produced one of the performances of 2022 defeating Carlos Cuadras in February. The 22-year-old somehow tracked and beat Srisaket Sor Rungvisai in San Antonio last night.
No question, we are look at a future legend of the sport. There seemed to be nothing this young man couldn’t do. His eighth-round goal against the two-time world champion was a statement because even at 35, no one has done it with the Thai hardcore.
It was his first WBC Super Flyweight title defense for Rodriguez, and his second at 115lbs. And on paper, he couldn’t ask for much harder.
The first half of the first half showed what kind of potential Rodriguez had on hand but when both men swapped heavy skins in the center of the ring after 100 seconds in Rungvisai (50-6-1, 43 KOs) knew he had to get through. things.
The challenger, clearly slower on his feet, seeks the strength to shake the hearts of Chocolatito Gonzalez fans five years ago. However, Rodriguez barricaded the doors early and his speed and footwork got him a free card out of jail if he needed it.
The champion darted his left hand straight down the pipe in the second half and began to look for angles that could cause discomfort and pick away from the veteran.
Rungvisai will never walk away but he has to match the pace and output of Rodriguez, who is choosing to put his foot in the right moment and let go. Robert Garcia’s young star clearly sensed Rungvisai’s formidable power and decided to beat him in that match.
Round five was a showcase for Rodriguez’s bump, three minutes of which should be shown to aspiring pugilists looking to create their own great fundamentals.
The family favorite left everyone in Tech Port Arena in awe and promoter Eddie Hearn must have looked like an ice cream cat. The Matchmaking Room boss has a jewel in his hand. At 22, he should be a diamond in the rough but he isn’t. He’s shined and sparkled on some of the biggest stages.
In the seventh round, ‘Bam’ made an overhand backhand that caused Rungvisai to land a slip. It wasn’t supposed to be a takedown, but it was a time when many might believe the youngster would really stop the two’s 13-year senior.
Rodriguez started round 8 as if he had a point to prove. A quick two followed by an upper cut dazzled onlookers. This is a master craftsman. A performance that Vasiliy Lomachenko would be very proud of.
A flick of the right hand to Rungvisai, the countdown timer is on. The Thai and his challenge sink on the ropes. Non-stop from Rodriguez, who let his lightning hand go once again. Rungvisai was defeated but was saved from cruelty and violence by the referee with just over a minute left.
The champion fell to his knees and rolled, a surge of emotion from the WBC Super Flyweight champion, who just created what we’ll talk about in late 2022 and beyond.
Watch the final moments courtesy of DAZN Boxing on Twitter:
BAM RODRIGUEZ END THE MATCH 💥#RodriguezRungvisaipic.twitter.com/r9W7qJcHX2
– DAZN boxing (@DAZNBoxing) June 26, 2022
After the struggle, Eddie Hearn had this to say about Rodriguez:
“San Antonio have a superstar in their hands.”
“Fighters like this appear once in a generation. You’re talking about some of the great fighters in Chocolatito, Juan Francisco Estrada – but can you tell Jesse won’t beat them? “
“You’ve got a superstar on your hands” – @EddieHearn#RodriguezRungvisaipic.twitter.com/aZWpHrkDop
– DAZN boxing (@DAZNBoxing) June 26, 2022
Murodjon Akhmadaliev vs Ronny Rios
Despite injuring his left hand in the second round, Murodjon Akhmadaliev (11-0.8 KOs) proved superior to Ronny Rios as he retained his WBA and IBF Super Bantamweight world championship titles.
twelfthorder Rounds come to a complete halt for a dominant performance that never looks like going any other way than in favor of the champion.
Akhmadaliev’s win now paves the way for a fantastic match with fellow unification champion Stephen Fulton Jr for the undisputed championship at 122lbs.
Akhmadaliev’s speed, bumps and moves were the foundation for a performance that was like going into the scoreboard until the Uzbeki moved up another level to complete the problem in the final round.
The 27-year-old’s tackles made Rios (33-4, 16 KOs) take a deep breath and struggled in the fourth half. But in the finale, a pain left in the midsection injured Rios and doubled the lead.
He never knelt down immediately, which was an open invitation for Akhmadaliev to hit his challenger at will. Rios showed his generosity during the fight and back. A long left shot rocked the 37-year-old, who then ate consecutive meat rights before referee Rafael Ramos intervened and called the game less than a minute away.
Jessica McCaskill and Alma Ibarra
Jessica McCaskill (12-2, 5 KOs) struggled to regain her Welterweight Championship crown against Alma Ibarra.
After finishing the third round, Ibarra was talking deeply to her corner and clearly displeased, she refused to step out to the fourth round. Ibarra could be heard saying “No, no,” and during the translation, the Mexican told her group that she wanted to go home.
McCaskill’s strength rocked Ibarra in the opening round. The number one weight position forces Ibarra to step back and have no trouble executing her shots. It was repeated in the second round with the challenger’s chin too high for a fighter of McCaskill’s caliber.
Ibarra attacked more in the third round and landed with his big left, which made the champion want to gunfight with fire uncomfortable. The 37-year-old wanted a tear, but Ibarra (10-2, 5 KOs) refused and bailed.
McCaskill then made it clear who she wanted next: Unified ultralightweight world champion Chantelle Cameron.
