He’s the youngest world champion in boxing and one of the most switched-on individuals in this sport. Despite all he’s accomplished at the tender age of 24, Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez keeps his feet on the ground, even in the face of a superfight against the great Juan Francisco Estrada, which will take place June 29 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix.
Bam (19-0, 12 KOs) is already a two-weight world champion, and he’s coming off a flyweight unification triumph in December over previously unbeaten Sunny Edwards. The latter accomplishment vaulted the San Antonio star onto pound-for-pound lists and proved beyond doubt that Bam and coach Robert Garcia are among the best fighter-trainer pairings in world boxing.
“I was just scrolling through my phone and I got a notification that I was put on the pound-for-pound list,” Bam recalled in a recent interview with The Sporting News. “It was crazy and really unexpected. I feel more accomplished with that than the actual fight against Sunny Edwards.
WATCH: Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Jesse Rodriguez, live on DAZN
“Without Robert Garcia, I wouldn’t be where I’m at today. He took me from the end of my amateur career to where I am today, so he deserves credit for that. But for what he’s done in the past, I’m sure he doesn’t get enough credit. He’s built many champions from the ground up. He’s one of those underrated trainers.”
While Rodriguez has captured three world titles between 112 and 115 pounds and scored epic wins over the likes of Carlos Cuadras, Srisaket Sor Rungvisai and Edwards, his next opponent will be the most decorated and cerebral fighter he has faced.
Estrada (44-3, 28 KOs) is a two-weight world champion and will be contesting his 15th title bout. A mainstay on boxing’s pound-for-pound lists for almost a decade, the Mexican hero currently holds WBC and Ring Magazine super flyweight championships.
“He's a great fighter, of course, but I think one of his best attributes is that he uses his lead hand very well and he moves a lot,” Bam said when asked to break down his opponent’s strengths. “But I think I’m going to shock a lot of people, to be honest. A lot of people haven’t seen the best version of Bam Rodriguez, and I feel a fight like this will show the world.
“I just want the best fights at this point in my career. I’m young, so I have a full tank. I just want to fight the best and give the fans the best fights possible and retire after that.”
Two weeks after Rodriguez has punch swapped with Estrada, another super flyweight great, Roman Gonzalez, returns to action against the unheralded Rober Barrera. While Bam’s respect for “Chocolatito” is visceral – the pair have sparred together in the past – he does not see a fight against the Nicaraguan warrior in his future.
“He’s a great fighter, a legend of the sport, and he’s been in there with just about everybody in the lower weight classes,” Rodriguez said with admiration. “He’s a great champion and a former pound-for-pound king. A lot of credit to him, but as far as facing him, that’ll never happen.”
One fight that could happen, should Bam prevail over Estrada, is a matchup with the winner of the unification showdown between WBA super flyweight titleholder Kazuto Ioka and IBF counterpart Fernando Martinez. The pair collide July 7 at the Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo.
“That’s a great fight,” Bam said with excitement. “Martinez is a pressure fighter, and Ioka is a smart boxer. I would have to give the edge to Ioka because he boxes very well.
“That’s a fight that does interest me, but I have a rematch clause with Estrada. If that goes through, fight Estrada again and after that, I’d love to fight the winner. [If Ioka wins], I’d love to fight in Japan. I’m open to fighting anywhere.”
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While Rodriguez is a master of his trade, he doesn’t plan to overstay his welcome in boxing. Estrada is 34, and he’s been a professional fighter for 16 of those years, which is not a schedule that his opponent is looking to emulate.
“I don’t want to fight when I’m that old,” Bam said after a moment’s deliberation. “I want to fight the best fights possible when I’m young and have a lot in my tank. I’ll do what I can while I’m here, and when all’s said and done, I’ll happily retire.
“I want to open a gym with my brother (former WBA super flyweight champ Joshua Franco) and just have him run it. I want to help him out and do whatever I can, but I don’t want to be there too much. Something I really want to do when I retire is open a coffee shop.”
Bam will be hoping that he’s too strong, too sweet and too hot to handle for Juan Francisco Estrada on June 29.