Frisco, Texas-Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez (22-0, 15 COs) became a duel champion by defeating Phumelela Cafu for his WBO Super Flyweight title. He did so with a punishment attack that forced Cafu’s angle to throw the towel in the 10th round.
(Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom)
Bam landed nearly 50 percent of his power punch (171/345), which cafu stuck in the corners of the ring while he was the best he could from the fight. Rodriguez landed 35.7 percent of his total blows (218/610), still the most effective boxer in the sport with a total connect percentage of 39.5 percent (Compubox). It’s like Sunny Edwards, Juan Francisco Estrada, Srisaket Sor Rungvisai and Carlos Cuadras. He was very good at the top-level competition.
Bam’s pre -set battle with the WBA and IBF champion Fernando “Puma” Martinez was officially announced last Friday, July 11, at the Ring IV press conference. There were many people to believe that Bam Cafu overlooked. Neither Jesse nor coach Robert Garcia attended the press, saying that it was due to them that they were completely focused on Cafu.
The undisputed clash between Bam and Puma is on November 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. At the press conference after the fight, Eddie Hearn said the fight with Puma was the second option: ‘Turki has a way to move very quickly. When he initially offered us the fight with Nakatani, he said he wanted to know that night. Not within three to four days. Unfortunately, this means that we have to make the call to Robert or Manager or Manager, yes, yes, we are up and it is like the answer, the answer of an answer or a aptitude, yes, yes, we are up, and it is as usual the answer of an answer or aptitude, yes … fighting, but we should give the best to two weeks.
Rodriguez has many options in the future, and he is not afraid to fight the best of the best. He is willing to tackle the biggest name of the sport. Hearn added that a possible mega fight could take place in the near future in San Antonio, Texas. One of the main focus for this camp with Cafu was to definitely improve. He exceeded Cafu in each round, missed him and counteracted him effectively.
The former WBO champion achieved 11 wins, 8 of which are knocking out. It appears that his goal is to become undisputed champion at Super Flyweight and then possibly face the potential winner of the rumored battle between Junto Nakatani and Naoya Inoue. Because as big as he is offensive, the improvement of defensively will make him so much better, and these improvements will enable him to better combat future opponents. Jesse is only 25 years old and still has to reach its full potential. He can truly be one of the greats of the sport.
Last updated on 07/21/2025
 became a two-division unified champion by defeating Phumelela Cafu for his WBO super flyweight title. He){kind=link}