After pummeling the likes of Juan Francisco Estrada, Sunny Edwards, Carlos Cuadras and Srisaket Sor Rungvisai over the last two and a half years, breakout star and WBC super flyweight champion Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez has ascended to the pound-for-pound list and is 20-0 (13 KOs). He is taking a somewhat “softer touch” by fighting Pedro Guevara on November 9.
The clash will serve as the co-main event to IBF welterweight champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis’ title defense against Karen Chukhadzhian at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on DAZN.
Guevara, a 35-year-old from Mexico who is making his United States debut, could be considered a step back in competition to a casual fan, but he’s certainly a worthy challenger for Rodriguez. Guevara owns a record of 42-4-1 (22 KOs) and is coming off a split decision win against Andrew Moloney in May. He has lost razor-thin decisions to the likes of Cuadras, Kenshiro Teraji, John Riel Casimero and Yu Kimura ever since making his pro debut in 2008.
“It’s a tough test and a dangerous fight because he has nothing to lose and everything to gain,” Rodriguez told BoxingScene. “I have to take this fight just as seriously as my past two fights against Estrada and Edwards. Come November 9, he’s going to come very hungry to take what I have. But right now is my time, and I don’t see him beating me. Just know that my hand will be raised on the night.
“My confidence is high but I remain humble. I know that just as fast as I got to where I am today I can lose it all in one fight. That’s why I am working hard every day in the gym.
“I want to try my best to go undisputed at 115 pounds. I want to accomplish what I can first at the weight and not look too far into the future.”
After evolving into a main event fighter with a fast-swelling fan base at just 24 years old, the southpaw slugger Rodriguez has no qualms about playing second fiddle to Ennis.
“I wanted to get in one more fight before the end of the year,” said Rodriguez, who announced a new promotional pact with Matchroom Boxing days before the fight. “Sharing a card with Boots is an honor for an event that big and it’s a good opportunity for me to expose myself to another side of the boxing world.”
Rodriguez is accustomed to being surrounded by stars. The San Antonio-born and bred boxer relocates to Southern California for each camp to train under the tutelage of Robert Garcia, who sports a stable that includes the likes of Vergil Ortiz Jr., Jose Valenzuela, Jose Ramirez, Raymond Muratalla, Lindolfo Delgado and others.
“It’s a blessing. Not many fighters even have one champion that they are training with,” said Rodriguez. “To have multiple world champions with the same dream, we all feed off of each other’s energy. It’s a huge advantage. When I’m in the gym I’m always watching sparring. The sparring I see is better than most fights on TV.
“Robert has been the biggest blessing of my career. Without Robert, I would not be where I’m at today. He manages me as well. If I didn’t have Robert, I really wouldn’t know where I’m at. It’s hard for a fighter like me in this weight class to get where I am today. He’s done his best.”
Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist, writer and broadcast reporter whose work has appeared on ESPN, Fox Sports, USA Today, The Guardian, Newsweek, Men’s Health, NFL.com, Los Angeles Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, Ring Magazine and more. He has been writing for BoxingScene since 2018. Manouk is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and the MMA Journalists Association. He can be reached on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube, through email at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com or via www.ManoukAkopyan.com.
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