Jesse Rodriguez Returns Against Israel Gonzalez On September 17!
There’s not been a fighter who has made a bigger splash on the boxing scene than reigning WBC junior bantamweight champion Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez (16-0 11 KOs). On July 11, Matchroom Boxing announced that Rodriguez will make the second defense of the WBC title on September 17 against Israel Gonzalez (28-4-1 11 KOs) at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fight will serve as the co-main event of the trilogy between undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez and reigning unified middleweight champ Gennady Golovkin.
Rodriguez’s rise has been eye-opening. A former top-ranked contender at 108 pounds, he received an offer to fight for the then-vacant WBC 115-pound strap. His team jumped at the opportunity. With only six days’ notice, Rodriguez defeated former junior bantamweight champion Carlos Cuadras by a unanimous decision to capture the title in February 2022.
His first title defense was an impressive eight-round TKO win over two-time WBC junior bantamweight Srisaket Sor Rungvisai in June 2022. Fans and pundits predict future stardom for the 22-year-old from San Antonio, Texas. Now facing Gonzalez, “Bam” is excited to fight on such a high-profile card.
ONCE AGAIN LOOKING TO IMPRESS
“September 17, we are back. It’s an honor to be a part of this card and I want to thank Matchroom and Teiken for giving me this opportunity. Having the chance to fight on Mexican Independence Day weekend, as the co-main to Canelo-GGG is truly special and I plan on putting on another spectacular performance and continuing to build my legacy.
Each fight now is more important than the last. It’s not about just winning; it’s how you win. That’s mine and my coach Robert Garcia’s job now – to look sensational each and every time we step in the ring and continue to show the world that I am one of the best pound for pound fighters on the planet.”
Jesse Rodriguez, WBC junior bantamweight champion
IS THIS FINALLY HIS TIME?
For the challenger, this is his fourth shot at a world title. In his three previous world title chances, he lost to then-junior bantamweight world champions Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez, Kal Yafai, and Jerwin Ancajas. The 25-year-old says he plans to put it all on the line and will leave the ring with the title wrapped around his waist.
“I want to thank Matchroom, but most I want to thank the champ, Jesse Rodriguez, for the opportunity. I know I’ll take full advantage of this and make my dream come true of becoming a world champion on September 17.”
Israel Gonzalez
Will the defending champ keep the train rolling and put on another show? Can Gonzalez, at long last, win a world title? On paper, this has the potential to be an exciting contest.
Reading Time: 3 minutes
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
Be the first to comment