On The Watch “It’s All About Juan Francisco Estrada vs Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez”

WBC Junior Bantamweight Challenge

Last night’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event between WBC/Ring Magazine Junior Bantamweight Champion Juan Francisco Estrada (44-4, 28 Kos) and undefeated challenger Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez (20-0, 13 Kos) was a situation where the Champion did not want to relinquish the mantle but was forced into doing so at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

The legend that Estrada is, put everything on the line and stood his ground and banged toe to toe with a much younger Lion who brought the “heat” like no other inside that squared circle.

It was a beautiful display of tactical boxing from both combatants who tried strategically to outmaneuver each other round by round. As experienced as Estrada is inside that squared circle, he had yet to meet up with an exceptional slick and strong boxer like “Bam” who had the patience and the right skill set to deter the Champion from having his way.

“Bam” was making it look easy boxing circles around Estrada who had absolutely no answer, that is right until the sixth round when he connected with a flash knockdown that sat “BAM” down for the first time in his career but did not deter him from strongly finishing the round.

Tasting the floor for the first time was all the motivation “Bam” needed to further press the action his way. “Bam” regrouped and proceeded to put his punches together with a lot more authority and power behind every shot, eventually connecting with a powerful left hand to the body forcing Estrada to the canvas where he couldn’t beat the referee’s count in the seventh round.

It was a very dominant performance by “Bam” where we witnessed another living legend get taken down by the young lion looking to take over the Bantamweight Division. By becoming the New WBC/Ring Magazine Junior Bantamweight Champion, Jesse is definitely on the right path.

Congratulations Champ!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez vs Srisaket Sor Rungvisai”

WBC Junior Bantamweight Challenge

Last night’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event between WBC Junior Bantamweight Champion Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez (16-0 11 Kos) and former two-time WBC Junior Bantamweight Champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (50-6-1 43 Kos) definitely lived up to the top billing at the Tech Port Arena, San Antonio.

Rungvisai came into this bout over confident thinking his superior boxing experience and his well-known power were going to be enough to snatch back the WBC Junior Bantamweight Title from the kid “Bam”, but found out quite early that he heavily miscalculated his approach by getting dominated from the jump.

“Bam” came into this bout with a flawless “game plan” and executed it to a “T”. “Bam” boxed and moved beautifully and made the seasoned veteran look pedestrian inside that squared circle. Rungvisai’s lack of a proper “game plan” was quite evident with him being a step behind every time he attempted to land anything at all.


“Bam” was too quick and alert inside that squared circle landing heavy shots from head to body from every corner at will round by round. The Kid showed Rungvisai he had some pop in them hands when he dropped him in round seven for a quick 8 count.

“Bam” was systematically breaking Rungvisai down as the rounds progressed. It was only a matter time before the inevitable happened and by the eighth round Rungvisai got trapped in the ropes at the receiving end of an onslaught of unanswered punches coming from head to body forcing the referee to jump in to wave off the bout. Unbelievable.

If this kid decides to stay in the 115-Pound Division he will definitely be a problem.
After taking out two well-seasoned veterans back-to-back with such ease and retaining his newly acquired WBC Junior Bantamweight Belt, ‘Bam” has unquestionably put the Bantamweight Division on notice. Good luck to the competition because this Kid is ready for all the smoke!

Congratulations on your win Jesse you’re definitely someone to keep an eye on.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Roman Gonzalez vs Julio Cesar Martinez”

Vacant WBC Diamond Junior Bantamweight Title

Last night’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California was initially supposed to be a highly anticipated third rematch between WBA “Super” Junior Bantamweight Champion Juan Francisco Estrada (42-3, 28 Kos) and former Four Division World Champion Roman Gonzalez (51-3, 41 Kos), however due to Juan Francisco testing positive for Covid-19 back in January he had no choice but to withdraw. In order to save the card replacement combatant Flyweight WBC champion Julio Cesar Martinez (18-2, 14 Kos) moved up in weight on a six weeks’ notice to challenge “Chocolatito”.

While many boxing pundits envisioned that the younger and fresher Martinez would be too much for the aging warrior, fans in attendance received a hell of show when Gonzalez handed the Flyweight young gunner a clinical beating from rounds 1 to 12.

Experience, timing and controlled aggression with precise accurate punches were all on display when “Chocolatito” easily dismantled the overmatched but tough warrior Martinez.

Martinez stood his ground and fought well at times but lacked the right “game plan” or the experience to deter the crafty veteran from having his way with him inside that squared circle.

Gonzalez owned the ring last night and looked like a rejuvenated combatant who had found the fountain of youth by the way he fought and moved inside that squared circle.

Although Martinez came in well over the contractual Junior Bantamweight limit of 115 lbs, the added weight had absolutely no effect on Gonzalez who withstood the power punches coming his way with no real issues and simply outworked the bigger fighter.

After 12 full rounds of action the Judges scored it 118-110, 117-111, 116-112 all in favor of Roman Gonzalez.

This was an exceptional performance by the aging warrior who proved to still have the goods to the get the job done. I’m not sure how much “juice” Gonzalez has left at this point in his career but a rescheduled rematch with WBA “Super” Junior Bantamweight Champion Juan Francisco Estrada would definitely keep that fire blazing for one more unique show if a final curtain call was ever to be in his near future.

Until then congratulations Roman on another brilliant display of skills.

Blaze