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Sensational Rodriguez Stops Rungvisai In 8
Photos: Ed Mulholland - Matchroom
Jesse Rodriguez planted himself into the elite level
with a stunning stoppage win over Srisaket Sor Rungvisai
to defend his WBC World Super-Flyweight title on home
soil in San Antonio, Texas, live on DAZN.
‘Bam’ was crowned as the youngest World champion in the
sport in February when he landed the WBC strap as a late
replacement in San Diego against Mexican king Carlos
Cuadras and fighting at home for the first time in four
years, the stiffest of tests was in front of him in the
form of former World ruler Rungvisai.
But there was no fear of the heavy-hitting Thai legend
from Rodriguez, who was imperious from first bell to his
scintillating finish, dominating from the start before
turning the screw at the halfway mark.
Rungvisai touched down early in the seventh round from a
check left hook and Rodriguez sensed something very
special, and put the hurt on the Thai, rocking his head
and sinking in bodyshots to underline his deep arsenal.
The assault continued in the eighth session and once
Rodriguez has his man on the ropes, a blistering barrage
saw the referee step in and end matters – ‘Bam’ sinking
to the canvas with joy after putting on a hometown
clinic against one of the great fighters of the modern
day.
“My skills proved a point tonight,” said Rodriguez. “My
team know what I am capable of and what I bring to the
table, that’s why we took the fight.
“I felt I started to break him down after three rounds,
the power wasn’t there from him. I knew I couldn’t stand
there but we came in and put on a show. I was using my
angles more, Robert kept telling me to do that and I
listened.
“The Cuadras fight gave me experience and put me here,
fighting at home in San Antonio. I will do whatever
Robert says, I am a special fighter not an average
fighter and I am here to stay.
“San Antonio has a superstar on their hands,” said
promoter Eddie Hearn. “Fighters like this come around
once in a generation. You are talking about some of the
great fighters in Chocolatito, Juan Francisco Estrada –
but can you say that Jesse wouldn’t beat them?
“San Antonio should be very proud of this kid. A special
talent and it’s all down to the speed that Robert and
the team want to go. I think he can unify at any
division from 108lbs to 115lbs and he’s got all the
tools to become a legend of the sport. He’s a baby, he’s
still learning, it was a great turnout tonight and we’re
going to get bigger and bigger.”
Rodriguez’s win topped an action-packed night in Texas,
as Murodjon Akhmadaliev dropped and stopped Ronny Rios
in the final round of his defense of his WBA and IBF
World Super-Bantamweight titles and Jessica McCaskill
blasted away Alma Ibarra in four rounds to remain
undisputed at Welterweight.
Raymond Ford’s rise continued as he added the IBF North
American Featherweight title to his WBA Continental
Americas title with a wide ten round points win over
Richard Medina, Nikita Ababiy was victorious in his
second eight round contest against Noe Larios Jr and 17
year old Jesus Martinez Jrshrugged off a first round
knockdown to land a second win in the paid ranks against
Kevin Monroy.
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