| |
|
|
Rodriguez: "San Antonio Means Everything To Me"
Jesse Rodriguez believes his hometown crowd will roar him to
victory as he bids to become a two-weight World champion
when he tackles Cristian Gonzalez for the vacant WBO
Flyweight title at the Boeing Center at Tech Port in San
Antonio, Texas, live worldwide on DAZN.
Rodriguez (17-0 11 KOs) boxes in his backyard for only the
fourth time in his blossoming career, and it’s his second
showing in the brand-new arena he lit up in June. ‘Bam’
defended his Super-Flyweight crown against Srisaket Sor
Rungvisai on that occasion and was punch-perfect as he
stopped the Thai legend in the eighth round, sparking wild
celebrations.
The 23 year old came face-to-face with Gonzalez (15-1 5 KOs)
at The Alamo in San Antonio to kick-off fight week, and
while the #2 ranked Mexican will look to leave it all in the
ring in his first World title battle, Rodriguez wants to
replicate that magical night against Rungvisai once again.
“Fights in San Antonio are just different for me,” said
Rodriguez. “The last one against Rungvisai in San Antonio
was electric and exciting, so to get another opportunity to
fight for another World title there in front of my fans is
amazing.
“San Antonio means everything to me, it’s where I was born
and raised, my family and my people are there and whenever I
step in the ring, they are with me. I represent San Antonio
when I step in the ring, and I am doing this for my city.
“The Rungvisai night was amazing. There was a lot of talk
that I was going to get knocked out, that Rungvisai was too
much for me, so when I stopped him, it was a moment I will
never forget. The emotions were so high, that’s why I just
fell to the floor, it was an amazing feeling.
“Gonzalez is ranked #2, he’s tall, he’s lengthy and he likes
to move a lot. So, we’ve been working on how I will close
the distance and cut off the ring, I’ve been sparring taller
guys so on April 8, there’s not going to be a problem for me
to go in there and show what we’ve been working on.”
Rodriguez’s clash with Gonzalez tops a stacked card in San
Antonio, with more World title action as unified World
Super-Bantamweight ruler Murodjon Akhmadaliev puts his WBA
and IBF titles on the line against IBF mandatory challenger
Marlon Tapales.
Highly ranked Featherweight Raymond Ford is knocking on the
door for World title action, and the New Jersey talent
defends his WBC Continental Americas title against former
World champion Jessie Magdaleno.
Thomas Mattice makes his Matchroom debut after a picking up
the WBA Continental Americas Super-Featherweight title on
points against Christian Tapia in Cleveland, and the ‘Gunna
Man’ defends that belt against undefeated Mexican Ramiro
Cesena.
Israil Madrimov is back in ten round action against Raphael
Igbokwe in his tenth pro outing, and that’s a number 9-0
Fresno starlet Marc Castro hits over eight rounds against
Ricardo Lopez. ‘Big Steppa’ Khalil Coe and Aaron Casper meet
in a rematch of their draw in November 2021 while the night
is opened by the fourth pro fight of Jesus Martinez’ career
against Jose Lopez.
|
|
|
