Jesse Rodriguez evidently is the actual deal.
In February, he moved up two weight lessons on quick discover to outpoint former 115-pound titleholder Carlos Cuadras in an upset. On Saturday in San Antonio, his hometown, he outdid himself: He outclassed after which stopped sturdy two-time champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai in eight rounds.
To say that the 22-year-old has arrived is an understatement.
“What extra can I say,” Rodriguez stated afterward. “My expertise proved some extent tonight. And I instructed everyone I’m attempting to be a particular fighter, not a median fighter. And I proved that tonight.”
Nobody is shocked that Rodriguez (16-0, 11 KOs) was in a position to beat Sor Rungvisai (50-6-1, 43 KOs); he was favored to efficiently defend his secondary WBC title.
It was how he took down the junior bantamweight stalwart from Thailand that was so dazzling.
Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez with the TKO 8-round victory over Srisaket Sor Rungvisai , HERES THE KNOCKOUT MOMENT ! @210bam #Dazn pic.twitter.com/ECSQekGkru
— Carolina Teague (@carolinateague_) June 26, 2022
Rodriguez (16-0, 11 KOs) outboxed Sor Rungvisai (50-6-1, 43 KOs) from the outset, as anticipated. The American is the higher technician.
The hard-punching Sor Rungvisai’s recreation plan was apparent: Endure the early rounds, put on his naturally smaller opponent down with strain and energy, after which take over the combat within the later rounds. Effectively, shock, shock: The other occurred.
Rodriguez boxed superbly, touchdown crisp jabs to arrange correct energy photographs spherical after spherical after spherical and there was nothing Sor Rungvisai might do about it. And he was at all times aware of his protection, utilizing his toes to create tough angles for Sor Rungvisai.
That’s how the combat went, with Rodriguez touchdown an increasing number of punishing photographs and Sor Rungvisai lacking most of his.
Rodriguez put Sor Rungvisai down with a left hook to the temple in Spherical 7, though Sor Rungvisai slipped in the intervening time the punch landed. Nonetheless, by this time, it was clear that the Thai fighter was carrying down.
“After just like the third spherical I felt like his energy wasn’t the identical,” Rodriguez stated. “It felt like I broke him down a bit. However, like I stated, I didn’t really feel his energy the identical. He was nonetheless sturdy however not like the primary two rounds.”
Then got here the beautiful conclusion. Rodriguez continued to land thudding blows on Sor Rungvisai’s sturdy chin however a person can take solely a lot. Lastly, with Sor Rungvisai’s again in opposition to the ropes within the eighth spherical, Rodriguez unloaded a barrage of correct energy photographs that gave referee Mark Calo-oy no alternative however to cease the combat at 1:50.
Rodriguez’s hometown followers at Tech Port Enviornment, nicely conscious of the gem that fell into their laps, went nuts and he dropped to the canvas — the place he was mobbed by his workforce — virtually in disbelief. But it surely was true. He had simply adopted his victory over Cuadras by stopping a beast who has victories over Juan Francisco Estrada (the WBC’s “franchise” champion) and Roman Gonzalez on his resume.
“I grew up watching these guys,” Rodriguez stated. “To be within the ring with them is a privilege itself. However to beat them the way in which I’ve been beating them means all the things to me and my workforce. We couldn’t be extra completely satisfied.”
How is he going to prime this?
Effectively, the names of the 2 prime 115-pounders – Estrada and “Chocolatito” – popped up as potential opponents after the combat. That form of matchup for Rodriguez would’ve appeared ridiculous a yr in the past. Not now. Not solely does a combat with one or each of them make sense, he can be given a very good probability of profitable.
Nonetheless, Rodriguez and coach Robert Garcia appeared decided to have him go right down to a extra pure 112 kilos, which additionally is smart.
“I’m right down to do no matter Robert says,” Rodriguez stated. “Any champion at 112, I’m right here. ‘Bam’ Rodriguez is right here to remain.”
It doesn’t matter what he and his workforce resolve to do going ahead, one factor is for certain: After his accomplishments over the previous four-plus months, the boxing world might be paying shut consideration.
