Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez is a two-division champion at 23 years old.
The San Antonio fighter defeated Cristian Gonzalez by a wide unanimous decision to win the vacant WBO 112-pound title in spite of what he said afterward was a broken jaw Saturday in the winner’s hometown.
The official scores were 118-110, 117-111 and 116-112. Boxing Junkie scored it 116-112 for Rodriguez, eight rounds to four.
Big shots from Bam Rodriguez 😮💨#RodriguezGonzalez pic.twitter.com/Isl7rZOxY4
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) April 9, 2023
“It wasn’t my best performance. I’ll admit that,” Rodriguez said. “I got my jaw broken in like the sixth round or some s—. It really hurts. I can barely talk right now.”
Rodriguez (18-0, 11 KOs) definitely didn’t have an easy time, as a fit, athletic Gonzalez (15-2, 5 KOs) did a good job of sticking and moving for almost the entire 12-round fight.
Plus, the new beltholder fought with the broken jaw for half of the fight.
Still, Rodriguez maintained relentless pressure on his Mexican opponent and cornered him enough to land heavy, eye-catching punches to both the head and body consistently.
That was more than enough to win over the judges.
“He just didn’t want to engage in the fight,” Rodriguez said of Gonzalez. “He kept moving. But I had to figure him out. That’s boxing. I gotta take any style that’s given to you and make sure you get the ‘W’.”
Rodriguez, who defeated Carlos Cuadras to win a 115-pound title and successfully defended twice last year, is now a major player at 112.
He was asked after his victory which big-name flyweight he wants to fight next: WBC titleholder Julio Cesar Martinez or IBF champ Sunny Edwards. (Artem Dalakian holds the WBA belt.)
“Sunny Edwards is the only option,” he said. “He’s been talking, so let’s make it happen.”
It could be a while before Rodriguez gets his next big opportunity because his jaw will have to heal. But he certainly earned it one on Saturday.
