Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez looks to resume his ascent towards super stardom when he defends his WBC world super flyweight title against Pedro Guevara this Saturday.
The 24-year-old has been on an upwards trajectory since his coming of age performance back in 2022, stopping legendary fighter Srisaket Sor Rungvisai in the eighth round.
Then, just over a year later, Jesse Rodriguez unified the WBO and IBF flyweight titles with a stunning ninth-round finish to dethrone previously unbeaten Brit Sunny Edwards.
And yet, perhaps his most awe-inspiring display arrived against former super flyweight king Juan Francisco Estrada earlier this year, when Bam emphatically removed any doubt over his potential.
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Chris Algieri demands a showdown between Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez and Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez
After dispatching one of the most seasoned 115 lb operators in decisive fashion, Rodrguez must now face mandatory challenger Guevara in a far less inspiring affair.
The pair will collide at the Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, featuring on a double header with fellow American star Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis.
But while Bam has his hands full this weekend, it is difficult to ignore the potential, mouthwatering matchups that await him.
Four-weight world champion Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez, for instance, could be the perfect dance partner to lock horns with the young bull.
And even with the 37-year-old seemingly entering the twilight years of his illustrious career, former world champion Chris Algieri believes the Nicaraguan would nonetheless provide a stern test for Rodriguez.
“Chocolatito is a living legend,” Algieri said on ProBox TV. “It’s a symphony of violence – the style of Chocolatito. It’s a beautiful thing to watch, but it’s aggressive, it’s mean and he throws combinations; he’s looking to hurt you.
“[But] Bam is a legend killer. He’s been collecting heads of the greatest fighters in these lighter divisions one by one.
“I’m telling you right now – yeh they’ve sparred together; I’m sure he’s got tons of respect for him – he wants [Chocolatito’s] head too.
“I think it’s a great fight for matching up two big names in these lighter weights.”
Will Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez fight on the same card as Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis next year?
Rodriguez’s head coach, Robert Garcia, has teased the possibility of Bam and Ennis featuring on the same card again next year.
In many ways, the two fighters compliment one another remarkably well, with both champions preferring to do their talking in the ring.
And so, if Bam were to face Chocolatito on a double header with Boots – who would most likely target a unification at 147 lbs – then that would surely be a welcome addition to next year’s boxing calendar.
Yet still, if a career-defining clash with Gonzalez fails to materialise, then Rodriguez, too, would look to land a unification in his division.