Jesse Rodriguez has his hand raised after defeating Juan Francisco Estrada for the Ring Journal and WBC 115-pound titles. Picture by Amanda Westcott/Matchroom
Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez solidified his declare as America’s greatest younger fighter with a powerful seventh-round physique shot KO of Juan Francisco Estrada on Saturday in Phoenix, Arizona.
Regardless of a flash knockdown in Spherical 6 and terrible scorecards from two of the official judges (Robert Tapper, who had the bout even after six rounds, and Javier Camacho, who had Estrada up by a degree), Rodriguez dominated the battle and turned within the sort of efficiency that had the boxing fraternity buzzing for days through social media.
Rodriguez (20-0, 13 KOs) had defeated different adorned 115-pound standouts however Estrada (44-4, 28 KOs) entered their showdown because the reigning Ring Journal champion and winner of two epic 12-round battles with fellow future corridor of famer Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez in 2021 and 2022. This was particular.
Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez grins as Juan Francisco Estrada is counted out on the finish of the seventh spherical of their Ring Journal 115-pound championship battle at Footprint Middle in Phoenix, Arizona. Picture by Amanda Westcott/Matchroom Boxing.
With the Estrada victory, Rodriguez has now defeated three of the sub-bantamweight Fab 4 who engaged in an elite-level spherical robin that started with Gonzalez-Estrada I again in 2012. Bam outpointed Carlos Cuadras in his fifteenth professional bout in February 2022, after which stopped Srisaket Sor Rungvisai 4 months later.
Nonetheless, the southpaw technician hasn’t made his title on veterans alone. In December he stopped then-unbeaten Sunny Edwards to unify two main flyweight world titles.
No different Gen-Z American has the 24-year-old Texan’s resume, which has prompted many pundits and followers to declare that Bam is worthy of the “pound-for-pound prime 5.”
The Ring Rankings Panel was in settlement with the general public.
Anson Wainwright recommended a two-spot bump up the pound-for-pound rankings, from No. 9 to No. 7, however different members of the panel needed a much bigger soar.
“I may see Bam now as excessive as No. 5, pound for pound,” mentioned Tris Dixon.
Adam Abramowitz and your favourite Editor-In-Chief instantly agreed.
“I might say Bam to No. 5,” added Abraham Gonzalez. “What a efficiency by each males. Bam placed on a P4P efficiency in opposition to a future corridor of famer.”
Added Michael Montero: “I agree with transferring Bam to No. 5, simply forward of [Artur] Beterbiev and [Dmitry] Bivol, however issues will possible change when the 2 Russians battle one another later this yr.”
Added Wasim Mather: “Bam at No. 5 for me. He retains getting higher with each battle in opposition to one of the best in his division and dominates.”
Added Tom Grey: “Bam as much as No. 5. The child is particular and getting off the deck to win by KO within the subsequent spherical made that efficiency even higher. Inoue made the same assertion final outing, however Bam did it in opposition to a Mexican boxing legend. Breath-taking stuff!”
Added Daisuke Sugiura: “I like Bam at No. 5, too. It’s refreshing to see these smaller guys all the time desirous to face one another with out a lot negotiation nonsense, usually make a superb battle, and I like that our P4P rankings rewards this.
Nonetheless, Diego Morilla agreed with Wainwright’s authentic suggestion of a No. 7 rating for Rodriguez.
“I’m not certain I’d reward him for beating a man he was purported to beat handily, particularly after he bought decked by somebody 10 years older and who had been inactive for over a yr,” said Morilla. “I’m all for upward mobility within the P4P however I really feel there’s nothing fallacious about letting him earn his stripes, and a soar from No. 9 to No. 5 appears an excessive amount of for him proper now. Only a thought, clearly, since I do know the votes are in. I do love Bam as a lot as the subsequent man, clearly. Hopefully, he’ll make us proud and can solely transfer up to any extent further.”
Morilla’s take gave Montero pause.
“Diego does make some nice factors concerning the P4P,” he mentioned. “Maybe we’re all getting caught up within the second only a bit. “Perhaps Bam ought to transfer to No. 7, simply behind Beterbiev and Bivol.”
Grey disagreed with a lesser rating for the previous unified flyweight titleholder and newly topped Ring junior bantamweight champ.
“Hey Diego, you had been the one man on Battle Picks who tipped Estrada to win,” mentioned Grey.
“I’d focus much less on the knockdown half and extra on the response. Bam bought up, smiled, after which broke Estrada in half with a physique shot within the very subsequent spherical.
“Knockdowns occur in a battle, notably whenever you’re in in opposition to an opponent as crafty and cerebral as Estrada. And whereas Estrada could have been previous his greatest and inactive, only a few followers and consultants anticipated that sort of efficiency from Bam. Most of us went for a late stoppage or factors.”
Responded Morilla: “That I used to be, sure. And it wasn’t as a lot a choose because it was a warning shot, I consider. And on that, I used to be proper. You’ll be able to go for the youthful flashy man all you need, however the minute you underestimate an outdated warrior like Estrada you get punched on the nostril and despatched down in your ass. I used to be joyful to see Bam’s quick response as nicely, that tells quite a bit about his character. What I’m making an attempt to keep away from right here is one thing we’ve completed (collectively, not solely within the Panel however in boxing generally) earlier than, which is to anoint the brand new excessive priest of boxing too quickly after which have to search out methods to convey him down from the pedestal when extra deserving guys begin making actual accomplishments (see “Spence, Errol”). A soar from No. 9 to No. 7 is greater than honest to me, and if he beats the winner of Ioka-Martinez as decisively as he did with Estrada, I’ll be the primary to recommend he’s probably the greatest 5 fighters on the planet.”
Morilla has a degree, however the EIC had the ultimate phrase of the dialogue.
“I’m good with Bam being rated above Bivol and Beterbiev. I believe his resume is at the very least barely higher than each mild heavyweights and he proved to be fingers down one of the best flyweight and now one of the best at 115 kilos (and our champ). Bivol and Beterbiev nonetheless want to find out who’s one of the best at 175.”
RING RATINGS UPDATE (as of June 29):
POUND FOR POUND – Rodriguez advances to No. 5.
SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT – Lester Martinez enters at No. 10 following a dominant 10-round determination over Carlos Gongora.
MIDDLEWEIGHT – Felix Money exits after dropping a five-round technical determination to Tyler Denny, who enters at No. 10.
JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHT – Teofimo Lopez stays champion after defending the Ring Journal and WBO titles with a one-sided unanimous determination over the powerful and decided Steve Claggett.
JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHT – Lamont Roach stays at No. 4 after dominating too-tough-for-his-own good Feargal McCrory en path to an eighth-round TKO.
“Roach retained his WBO title,” famous Wainwright. “Stable efficiency however restricted opposition, no motion.”
FEATHERWEIGHT – Rafael Espinoza advances to No. 5 with a powerful fourth-round stoppage of Sergio Chirino. Robeisy Ramirez stays at No. 8 after stopping Brandon Benitez in seven rounds.
JUNIOR BANTAMWEIGHT – Rodriguez is the brand new champ. Estrada drops to No. 1.
“Estrada confirmed coronary heart and had some moments, notably the knockdown, however Bam Rodriguez was very spectacular – that bodyshot!” famous Wainwright. “Rodriguez goes to champion and Estrada drops to No. 1, however a conclusive winner subsequent week between [Kazuto] Ioka and [Fernando] Martinez may see him drop a spot.”
FLYWEIGHT – Rodriguez and Julio Cesar Martinez, who was banned for 9 months following a optimistic PED check, exit. Sunny Edwards, who scored a ninth-round technical determination over former 108-pound titleholder Adrian Curiel within the co-feature to Estrada-Rodriguez, advances to No. 1. Galal Yafai (7-0, 5 KOs) and Dave Apolinario (20-0, 14 KOs) enter at No. 9 and No. 10.
JUNIOR FLYWEIGHT – Curiel stays at No. 3.
