S.A.’S Rodriguez set to defend title at home
After his stunning win in February to become boxing’s youngest current world champion, Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez moved out of his mother’s house and into his own apartment for the first time.
The 22-year-old said he had always wanted to experience life on his own, and so far he’s found the isolation to be a “real peaceful” experience.
Other than that, the San Antonio native said not much has changed since he slipped the WBC World Super Flyweight title around his shoulder.
“Same old Jesse,” Bam’s father, Jesse Rodriguez, said. “Same goal. His attitude and energy are the same. He knows he’s just beginning. This is just the start of what he wants to accomplish in the sport of boxing.”
Rodriguez’s ascent will face its stiffest challenge Saturday as he defends a world title for the first time in a bout against Srisaket Sor Rungvisai at Tech Port Center + Arena as the headliner of a Matchroom Boxing card broadcast on DAZN.
Rodriguez (15-0, 10 KOS) was 9 years old when the 35-yearold Rungvisai (50-5-1) made his professional debut, and the former two-time champion will be the most experienced opponent Rodriguez has ever stepped in the ring with.
“This is the biggest fight of my career,” Rodriguez said. “Becoming a world champion is one thing, but to defend it in front of your hometown crowd means everything. It’s going to be something special that night.”
Rodriguez became the first man born after the turn of the millennium to win a world title when he earned a unanimous decision over Carlos Cuadras in February. Rodriguez moved up two weight classes to take the fight on less
than a week’s notice, filling Rungvisai’s place on the card when he withdrew because of an illness.
After considering dropping down in weight back to 108 pounds, Rodriguez decided to stay at 115 for a bout with a topranked contender.
“Rungvisai is the toughest title defense I could’ve taken, but I’m not here to be an average fighter. I want to be a special fighter,” Rodriguez said. “These kind of fights produce special fighters, so that’s why I took it. I believe he deserves a shot.”
Though Rungvisai hasn’t fought in 15 months, he said
he’s in top shape and will lean on the experience he’s picked up in 13 years as a professional, including a 49-2 mark in his past 51 fights.
“Bam is a young fighter. He doesn’t have the experience that I do,” Rungvisai said through an interpreter. “I know he’s a fast fighter, but I’m going to use my experience and my power to take over.”
Rodriguez said he prepared to counteract the experience disadvantage by sparring with an array of veterans and former champions at his camp with trainer Robert Garcia in Riverside, Calif.
Rungvisai’s punching power is the trait Rodriguez said he’s most focused on neutralizing.
“He does carry power, but power doesn’t win you fights, skills does,” Rodriguez said. “That’s where my skills are going to come in and take over the fight.”
Rodriguez will also have the advantage of fighting in front of friends and family, stepping into the ring in San Antonio for the third time in his professional career following bouts in June 2017 and March 2018.
Though he acknowledged his distinction as the first
fighter born in 2000 to claim a world title “goes down in the history books” as something that can never be taken away, he said the WBC belt is “just the beginning of my career.” He aims to someday add titles at 112 pounds, or to potentially become an undisputed champion.
“It’s more fuel to the fire knowing I have something to defend and a lot to lose,” Rodriguez said. “Going inside that ring, I’m going to be an even better fighter than I was in the Cuadras fight.”