In a changing-of-the-guard moment for the super flyweight division, Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez got off the canvas to score a sensational seventh-round knockout over legendary Mexican Juan Francisco Estrada at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona on Saturday. The win secures Bam the WBA and Ring Magazine championships.
WATCH: Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Bam Rodriguez on DAZN
Bam (20-0) decked the champion with an explosive three-punch combination in round four and looked close to a knockout win. However, early in round six, Estrada shocked the 10,000-strong crowd with a brilliant right-hand knockdown of his own. The difference was that Bam was clear-eyed and couldn’t wait to get back to action. The end came courtesy of a terrific left hand to the body from Bam at the end of the seventh.
“It was a tough fight. I got dropped for the first time – that was crazy,” said Bam during his post-fight interview with DAZN. “I’ve always pictured myself in a fight like this. To be in the ring with a guy like ‘El Gallo’, a legend, makes it that much better.
“I was keeping my distance. He didn’t know what to do when I was on the outside and (trainer) Robert [Garcia] kept telling me that. I just stuck to the game plan. It’s an honor to share the ring with ‘El Gallo’ and take his belts.”
Bam got to work early behind a powerful and accurate right jab. His punches carried so much more authority and Estrada looked reluctant to engage in round one. Despite Bam being the much younger man, his angle creation and punch variety belied his years, and his skills must have impressed the man he was facing.
Estrada was badly hurt in the third by a right hook and woozy for several seconds. Only his championship heart and cunning kept him alive, but it looked like the sand was running out of the veteran’s hourglass. The knockdown in round four looked like the beginning of the end and the fifth made for uncomfortable viewing.
It was then that this fight became something special. Early in the sixth, Estrada, perhaps sensing some complacency in his opponent, lowered the boom with a sharp right hand to the head and Bam went down in an eyeblink. He got up with an embarrassed smile on his face and the referee called the pair back to action. Estrada sought to turn the fight upside down and the knockdown was further proof of his greatness as a champion.
Even before he was taken out by a backbreaking left hand, Estrada had made further adjustments and was having a good round in the seventh. Unfortunately for “El Gallo”, his young opponent had other plans.
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Speaking of plans, Bam was asked what he’d like to do if the contractually agreed rematch with Estrada doesn’t happen next. After stating that he would like the winner of the super flyweight unification bout between Kazuto Ioka and Fernando Martinez, the new champ was asked if super bantamweight king Naoya Inoue was an option.
“It’s a big fight, but let’s be real, it’s a fantasy fight for now,” countered Bam, who campaigns two divisions south of the Japanese sensation. “I’ve got to build myself up [in weight].”
Estrada, 34, has been a pound-for-pound stalwart for several years. His career has been simply outstanding and one look at his resume tells you that the Mexican warrior is a lock for the Hall of Fame. The 19-month layoff was a worry coming in, but Estrada proved that he’s still full of fight and he wants to run it back.
“I know the mistakes I made in there and I want the rematch,” said Estrada. “I need to box a little bit more, but I’ll put this right in the second fight.”
At just 24 years old, Bam is the youngest world champion in the sport today. His career trajectory has been incredible, with career-defining triumphs over Carlos Cuadras, Srisaket Sor Rungvisai and Sunny Edwards proceeding this one over “El Gallo” Estrada. If he can maintain this type of form, then a Hall of Fame spot will be a formality.
Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Bam Rodriguez fight card
- Bam Rodriguez def. Juan Francisco Estrada via KO 7 (3:00) for the WBC and Ring Magazine super flyweight titles
- Sunny Edwards def. Adrian Curiel via TD 9 (90-82, 88-84, 87-85); Flyweights
- Arturo Cardenas def. Danny Barrios via UD 10 (97-93, 96-94, 95-95); Super Bantamweights
- Yamileth Mercado (c) def. Ramla Ali via UD 10 (98-93, 98-92, 97-93) for the WBC super bantamweight title
- Gabriel Muratalla def. Carlos Fontes (79-73, 78-74, 77-75); Bantamweights
- Fabian Rojo def. Daniel Gonzalez via TKO 2 (1:13); Welterweights
- Leonardo Rubalcava def. William Flenoy via UD 6 (60,54, 59-55, 59-55); Super Lightweights
