Combat followers had been handled to a rattling good motion combat final evening in Phoenix, whereas we additionally noticed an outstanding profitable efficiency from one of many sport’s hottest decrease weight ring warriors. Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez delivered in fashion in his problem of WBC 115 pound champ Juan Francisco Estrada, the 24 12 months previous turning into the primary man to cease the teak-tough Mexican.
And, in what added additional pleasure to final evening’s combat, Rodriguez needed to rise up from a (flash) knockdown to win. In his return to the 115 pound division, this after unifying down at 112 kilos, “Bam” placed on a efficiency that “unquestionably” makes him a pound-for-pound star. That is what promoter Eddie Hearn stated after final evening’s seventh spherical physique shot stoppage win for “Bam,” and loads of us agree with him.
Rodriguez, 20-0(13) appears to have the ability to do all of it: He can field, he can bang, he can take an excellent shot, he can harm to the top and to the physique, Rodriguez can go all evening. Certainly, Rodriguez is a particular fighter. So, what subsequent?
Rodriguez, who should still be a few years from his absolute peak, has loads of choices. A return combat with Estrada, 44-4(28) is a chance, as Estrada had a rematch clause in his contract going into final evening’s combat, with the 34 12 months previous suggesting he intends to implement it. Final evening’s combat was ok to warrant a part-two, even when “Bam” has different, extra attention-grabbing choices.
The massive Dream Combat Rodriguez has spoken of is him taking up Japanese famous person and, for some, pound-for-pound No1 Naoya Inoue. This “Monster” of a combat may occur subsequent 12 months. Rodriguez must bounce up two weight divisions to get it on with Inoue, the present unified champ at 122 kilos; that or a catch weight showdown may happen. If “Bam” can placed on the load and stay efficient and never be compromised by way of velocity and energy, who is aware of, we may have an absolute traditional combat of the longer term with Inoue Vs. Rodriguez.
Within the meantime, Rodriguez may look to face the winner of the upcoming combat between Kazuto Ioka and Fernando Martinez, who combat in a two-belt unification conflict subsequent month. Possibly Rodriguez will look to unify the 115 pound division?
For now, the specialists must get busy deciding simply the place Rodriguez needs to be positioned within the P-4-P charts.
“Once you point out [Terence] Crawford, if you point out [Oleksandr] Usyk, if you point out [Naoya] Inoue within the pound-for-pound record, you higher say these three particular letters – ‘Bam,’ proper?” Hearn stated.
Proper.
