“Bam” Rodriguez smiles his way to yet another remarkable win

By Elliot Worsell

OFTEN what makes a fighter special rather than simply good is the way in which they win fights. A good fighter, you see, will win fights and consider that to be enough, whereas a special fighter will not only win fights but win them in a manner that suggests they are not content with a win unless their opponent has been thoroughly beaten, vanquished, that is, by way of stoppage or surrender.

In the case of Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez, he very much falls into the latter camp. This should become even more impressive, too, when you take into account Rodriguez is a super-flyweight standing at just five feet four and weighing 115 pounds. And yet, despite these so-called limitations, Rodriguez doesn’t just win fights, he ends them. He doesn’t just beat world-class opponents; he beats them like they have never been beaten before.

Overnight, the 24-year-old Rodriguez proved himself once again by defeating the contemporary legend, Juan Francisco Estrada, in the seventh round, seizing the Mexican’s WBC super-flyweight belt in the process. Although any win would have been acceptable for Estrada, Rodriguez, as per his Texan habits, was adamant about making this victory more than just ordinary. Similar to his triumphs over Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (whom he defeated in eight rounds in 2022) and Sunny Edwards (whom he overcame in nine rounds in 2023), Rodriguez aimed to beat Estrada in an unexpected way that entailed significant risk on his part but provided a substantial reward in the end.

He also did this. He aggressively and intensely attacked Estrada, a natural back-footer, revealing the hunger of a man eager for a stoppage. As early as the fourth round, he successfully dropped the champion for the first time in the fight.

Rodriguez’s beautiful display of boxing was undeniable. He advanced, leading with a right jab, followed by a left uppercut that struck Estrada. He then swiftly launched another right jab and a left cross, the final punch causing significant damage. The result was a stunned Estrada, collapsing to the canvas, shocked by both the diverse attack and the potency of his opponent’s hits. Clearly, he realized his vulnerability, having been dazed and knocked down. Notably, only Carlos Cuadras (twice in 2020) and Juan Carlos Sanchez (with two separate instances in 2011) had previously managed to floor Estrada.

Estrada’s early injury and drop in the fight could have easily led to attributions to his age (34), especially given that he is ten years older than Rodriguez. This age difference may not have been a significant factor if they were competing in a weight class above welterweight. However, it is common to consider fighters in lower weight classes as nearing the end of their career once they reach their mid-thirties. Whether this applies to Estrada, who boasts a record of 44-4 (28), is not for me to comment. His recent period of inactivity – with no fights in 2023 – certainly wouldn’t have aided his cause. Moreover, even if he were active and riding a wave of momentum, facing someone like Rodriguez at 34 – a fighter filled with youthful vigor and a ruthless competitive streak – is not an ideal situation.

Rodriguez delivers his right jab (Amanda Westcott/Matchroom)

Despite that, no one doubted Estrada’s experience or intelligence. Such aspects were not questioned before, nor were they questioned in the sixth round when Estrada tactically used them to trap Rodriguez and return the favor, knocking the champion down with a powerful right punch. In many respects, Estrada turned Rodriguez’s eagerness against him at that moment. He allowed him to advance, waited for him to be off balance and square on, and then he launched a sudden double-jab, right-hand combo that surprised and stung Rodriguez, causing him to fall to the canvas.

Rodriguez, more embarrassed than hurt, quickly jumped to his feet with a regretful smile, immediately after being knocked down. This served as a stark reminder that no matter how much he dominated the fight, danger was always present. The embarrassment of finding himself on the canvas was undeniable, but it also brought forth respect and gratitude. Being on the receiving end of a knockdown left Rodriguez with no choice but to refocus and elevate his game. Moreover, with the knockdown score now at 1-1, he was even more motivated to knock Estrada down again to secure the victory he had desired from the start.

Jesse Rodriguez’s smile can communicate a lot, just like any other smile. Now with a record of 20-0 (13), Rodriguez’s grin after the sixth-round knockdown was telling of his mental state. His smile in the seventh round, following his knockout of Estrada with a fierce left body punch, was a picture of sheer satisfaction – the smile of a man who knows his job is done. This triumphant expression, visible as Estrada writhed in pain on the mat, was all the more impactful and haunting. Rodriguez’s casual stroll around the ring, grinning from ear to ear after such a decisive victory, only underscores how extraordinary “Bam” truly is.

Estrada is in agony (Melina Pizano/Matchroom)