Jesse Rodriguez to Face Srisaket Sor Rungvisai on June 25 in San Antonio, Texas
Matchroom Boxing has announced that Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez (15-0 10 KOs) will make the first defense of the WBC junior bantamweight champion against previous WBC 115-pound champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (50-5-1 43 KOs) on June 25 at the Tech Port Arena in San Antonio, Texas. The bout will air live on the DAZN streaming service.
Rodriguez has been one of the early breakout fighters of 2022. His path to becoming a world champ is an example of carpe diem. Ironically, Sor Rungvisai was to engage in a rematch with Carlos Cuadras for the then-vacant WBC belt on February 5. Unfortunately, Sor Rungvisai had to withdraw after falling ill.
Scrambling to find a replacement opponent, organizers presented Rodriguez’s handlers with the opportunity to fight for the belt. Ranked first by the WBO and third by the WBA at 108 pounds at the time, they accepted. Moving up two weight classes, “Bam” seized the moment, outboxing Cuadras to win the vacant title. Only 22, the pride of San Antonio returns home to defend against a Rungvisai who will be no easy out.
TAKING IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL
“Fighting a guy like Rungvisai is going to bring me to a whole new level. He’s a great fighter, but this is my time now. You have to take risks in this sport. That’s what special fighters do. They said it was a risk, me challenging for a World title fight on short notice, and now they say it’s a risk taking on a fighter like Rungvisai. But this is what I want. These are the types of fights you need so you can be remembered by the fans long after your career is done.”
Jesse Rodriguez, WBC junior bantamweight champion
HUNGRY TO RECLAIM THE THRONE
Rungvisai has been a mainstay in the division for nearly a decade. With two wins over future Hall of Famer Roman Gonzalez and a win over current WBA 115-pound champ Juan Francisco Estrada, he has been one of the best fighters in the division for nearly a decade. At age 35, the hard-hitting southpaw from Thailand is hungry to win another world title.
“I am very excited for this opportunity to fight for the WBC World title. I will be at my best to win the WBC World title and become the first three times WBC World champion in the history of Thailand. Thank you so much to Matchroom, DAZN, and the WBC for this opportunity.”
Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, former WBC world champion
Rodriguez is the up-and-coming young world champ who his promoters feel is headed towards greatness. Rungvisai is the grizzled vet looking for one last shot of glory. Will the youth, talent, and energy of “Bam” be too much for the experience and power of Rungvisai? This is a fascinating crossroads battle.
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By: Michael Wilson Jr.
