Boxing
Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez snatches RING/WBC belt from Juan Francisco Estrada via seventh-round knockout
Published
5 months agoon
By
J. HumzaJesse “Bam” Rodriguez smiles as Juan Francisco Estrada is counted out at the end of the seventh round in their RING 115-pound championship fight at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo Credit: Amanda Westcott/Matchroom Boxing.
Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez smiled the moment he hit the deck.
A brief taste of adversity early in the sixth round was all the motivation he needed to finish what he started. Rodriguez overcame that slight obstacle to brutally knock out Juan Francisco Estrada, whom he knocked out to win the RING and WBC 115-pound championships. A left hand to the body sent Estrada to the canvas, where he was counted out delayed in the seventh round Saturday night at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
“To be in the ring with ‘Gallo’ – the legend – and to win his belt is just amazing,” Rodriguez told DAZN’s Chris Mannix.
The venue was the site of Rodriguez’s first win, which happened to be the WBC 115-pound title that Estrada relinquished in exchange for the “Franchise” title issued by the sanctioning body. Rodriguez (20-0, 13 knockouts) had just turned 22 when he accepted the vacant title fight with former champion Carlos Cuadras just six days before it was to take place.
Estrada (44-4, 28 KO) looked to consolidate his textbook punching in the first round of his first fight in almost 19 months. The legendary two-division champion from Hermosillo, Mexico, has not fought since his majority decision victory over Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez (51-4-1, 41 KO). Their memorable December 2022 trilogy clash at the Desert Diamond Arena in nearby Glendale was followed by an unwelcome period of inactivity for the 34-year-old.
Rodriguez was prepared for everything the defending champion had to offer and was one step ahead in most exchanges. A straight left hand from the 24-year-old southpaw briefly caused Estrada to back up. Rodriguez continued to move forward and counterattacked Estrada, who at least managed to check the left hook.
A relatively competitive first timer quickly progressed to the showcase performance of boxing’s best juvenile star.
Rodriguez’s angles and footwork rarely gave Estrada a spotless target. Estrada’s right hands and left hooks found the challenger’s gloves. Rodriguez landed a left hand, pivoted, and landed another before Estrada could reset.
Signs of trouble ahead appeared delayed in the third round. Around the three-minute mark, Estrada was rocked by Rodriguez. Rodriguez moved to attack, but the long-reigning RING champion was able to stay on his feet.
It didn’t last long, though.
Rodriguez recorded his first knockdown of the fight in the fourth quarter. Estrada was disabled by an uppercut, then Rodriguez landed a straight left. Estrada hit the deck but managed to beat the count and get out of the round. His legs still weren’t fully recovered, even as he sat on the stool between rounds.
Estrada was hurt again midway through the fifth round. Rodriguez backed his elder statesmen into the ropes and unleashed a series of punches through a disciplined attack. Estrada managed to get out of the round, but there were concerns about how much longer he could last.
Never write off a future Hall of Fame inductee.
Estrada breathed recent life into the one-sided fight with a right hand early in the sixth round. Rodriguez was out of position for perhaps the only time in the fight and suffered the first knockdown of his career.
It was a welcome experience and a way to end the show for a rising heavyweight star without division into weight classes.
“The first time I got knocked down, it was crazy,” Rodriguez noted. “I got hit and before I knew it I was on the floor. It was crazy, but I always wanted to experience it. I know it’s bad, but I want to test myself in moments like this.”
Rodriguez passed this test with flying colors.
The brief moment of success did nothing to provide a path to lasting momentum change. Estrada remained confident, but it was quickly worn down as Rodriguez continued to attack the body and land from all angles.
Then came the spectacular finish.
Rodriguez landed punches in combination throughout the seventh. Estrada often grabbed the air and his gloves whenever he let go of his hands. Meanwhile, Rodriguez defeated his bigger opponent in his first 115-pound fight in almost two years.
Estrada flew to the ropes when he was caught with a kick left to the body. Another one from Rodriguez had Estrada down and rolling on the canvas in pain as referee Chris Flores counted the full ten.
“Just to share the ring with them and be on the same poster with them is just crazy,” noted Rodriguez, who is now a four-time title winner and the first RING Champion.
The feelings were mutual for the departing champion, who wanted nothing more than to do it again.
“I know what mistakes I made there,” Estrada admitted after his first defeat in six years. “I can’t wait for the rematch.”
Estrada was the unified flyweight champion before dropping out of the 115-weight campaign. It took him two tries to become a two-division champion, and he did so in April 2019 with a points victory over Sor Rungvisai. The feat was revenge for a February 2018 loss and was part of an eight-fight win streak heading into Saturday.
Rodriguez’s previous tour at 115 was brief – just eight months on the title stage before he opted out of the flyweight campaign. He has already made his mark in the division with victories over Cuadras (42-5-1, 28 KO), the No. 4 seed at 115, and former RING champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (56-6-1, 46 KO).
This series was followed by a second flyweight division title. He ended his 2023 campaign with a ninth-round stoppage of Clear Edwards (21-1, 4 KO), No. 2 at 112, and unified the IBF and WBO titles.
Rodriguez is now armed with his first RING/lineal championship and is ready to add more equipment to his collection. He could get a shot at two more for the price of one.
“I want the winner of the Ioka-Martinez fight,” Rodriguez insisted.
The fight he was referring to is the WBA/IBF unification fight, which will take place on July 7 in Tokyo between Kazuto Ioka (31-2-1, 16 KOs) and Fernando “Puma” Martinez (16-0, 9 KOs).
“[Undisputed] that’s definitely something I’ve seen from other players [lately]“, Rodriguez vowed. “I want to see them with all their belts.”
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Boxing
The fight between Alexis Rocha and Raul Curiel will take place on December 14 at the Toyota Arena
Published
22 hours agoon
November 23, 2024In a clash of forces between two world title contenders, NABO welterweight titleholder Alexis “Lex” Rocha (25-2-0, 16 KO) will put his skills to the test against undefeated knockout and NABF welterweight titleholder Raul “El Cugar “. Curiel (15-0, 13 KO).
The 10-round main event will take place on Saturday, December 14, live from the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, and will be broadcast worldwide on DAZN.
“‘The best versus the best’ is Golden Boy’s mantra and that’s what fans will see as Rocha and Curiel take on everything that’s on the table,” said President and CEO Oscar De La Hoya. “Rocha is a veteran whose goal is to win the world title, Curiel is an undefeated blue-chip prospect with huge potential. It’s really a 50/50 fight and I’m looking forward to it.”
Tickets for the Rocha vs. match Curiel will go on sale on Friday, October 11 at 10 a.m. PT and will be priced at $100, $75, $50 and $25, excluding applicable service fees. A confined number of Golden Boy VIP Experience tickets will also be available, including exclusive merchandise and fight night upgrades. Standard and VIP tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com, Toyota-arena.com, Goldenboy.com or at the Toyota Arena box office from Monday to Friday from 12:00 to 16:00
“I’ve seen Raul Curiel all these years and he never once mentioned my name,” Alexis Rocha said. “After my last defeat, he suddenly became interested in fighting me. If he thinks I’ve lost a step or somehow had an simple fight, he’s in for a rude awakening. I can’t wait to make a statement and show the world what I’m capable of.”
Santa Ana, California Rep. Alexis “Lex” Rocha comes from a struggling family. The younger brother of Ronny Rios, he was the youngest fighter to win a gold medal at the Junior Olympics at the age of 14 in 2012 and caught the attention of the boxing world by becoming a six-time national champion during his amateur career. Rocha signed with Golden Boy in January 2016 and made his professional debut in March 2016, defeating Jordan Rosario at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles. Since then, he has amassed an enviable record of powerful knockouts over top contenders and plans to return to world title contention, with his last fight being a victory over undefeated Santiago Dominguez on July 19 last year.
“The fans can expect a war,” said Raul Curiel. “I’m going to prepare well to put on a great show. This will be the most essential fight of my career so far. I know Alexis is a great fighter, a good opponent and will also show up prepared. My focus is on Alexis and if I can beat him, I know it will give me a chance to fight for the world championship.
Boxing
George Kambosos moves up to 140, adds Eddie Hearn to team
Published
2 days agoon
November 23, 2024Former unified lightweight champion George Kambosos approached promoter Eddie Hearn asking for more massive fights.
Kambosos has signed a co-promotional deal with Eddie Hearn, under which the Greek-Australian slugger will continue his association with DiBella Entertainment Inc. and his own company, Ferocious Promotions.
The 21-3 star will move up to the super lightweight division of Matchroom Boxing’s lively division. He aims to become a two-weight world champion in early 2025, and as part of the deal, a title fight is promised as long as he continues to win.
Since his stunning victory over Teofimo Lopez, Kambosos has never shied away from competing against the best. Those three losses on his resume came to Devin Haney [twice] and Vasily Lomachenko, all at home and all for world titles.
The 31-year-old is now set to face compatriot Liam Paro after defending his IBF title against Richardson Hitchins in December in Puerto Rico.
“I am thrilled to be working with Matchroom Boxing. I am excited to have signed a three-way promotional cooperation agreement with my long-time promoter DiBella Entertainment Inc. and Ferocious Promotions,” Kambosos said.
“I made great success and history when I moved up the Matchroom shows by winning my UK elimination fight against Lee Selby. The most noteworthy and unforgettable is my victory against Teofimo at Madison Square Garden in Up-to-date York to become the 135-pound world champion.
“I am officially announcing that I will be moving up to 140 pounds and signing with Matchroom will ensure my continued success and the legacy I want to leave in the sport of boxing.”
Hearn, who adds an experienced campaigner to his stable, added: “I am delighted to welcome George to the team. George’s victory over Teofimo tore up the script and showed that George was the man for the massive time. He has proven to be a huge attraction in Australia and one of the real driving forces behind the rapid growth of boxing Down Under.
“The 140-pound division is full of massive names and massive potential fights. Adding George to the mix only elevates the level, and a possible fight with Liam Paro is a truly appetizing prospect. If Liam manages to win in a great fight against Richardson on December 7th [the fight could be on].
Lou DiBella, who has worked with Kambosos for years, said: “I’m glad I was able to make a deal with my antique buddy Eddie to work with George Kambosos Jr. and Ferocious Promotions.
“Throughout his career, George has been a fighter who has never shied away from a challenge, and now he wants to test himself against top junior welterweights.
Matchroom works with top 140-pounders, including George’s compatriot Liam Paro, and, like DiBella Entertainment, is heavily invested in Australia.
“It’s a natural partnership,” added the Up-to-date Yorker.
Boxing
Mike Tyson had absolutely no chance of knocking out Jake Paul
Published
3 days agoon
November 21, 2024One of the hottest topics surrounding Mike Tyson’s return at the age of 58 was the possibility of the boxing legend scoring a knockout of Jake Paul.
WBN has weighed in on this topic several times, questioning the validity of five-second training clips that revealed nothing about Tyson’s abilities at this overdue age. One of the most intriguing observations during the preparations was the opinion of UFC commentator Daniel Cormier.
Speaking on his show “Funky and the Champ,” Cormier reflected on Tyson’s social media videos and offered an informed opinion on the meaning of the clips.
“I understand that [he is in amazing shape at 58]and I understand what he is saying [he feels as though he can compete]– Cormier said. “And I agree that when he hits the pads with Rafael Cordeiro, it looks like there’s still something left in him.
“But then I watch Jake Paul fight Mike Perry. I saw Jake Paul get overwhelmed to the point where he started to feel uncomfortable. It looked like Mike Perry had a chance. But Jake has a reserve tank he can go to and benefit from because he’s 28 years ancient. Then he comes back and finally finishes Mike Perry.
“At the beginning of the fight, Mike Perry gets beaten up and dropped. He looks trained and unmatched. This worries me because what if it looks like a 58-year-old man fighting a 28-year-old man while Mike can’t employ the backup tank to stay and compete with this newborn kid? I think it’s a failure for Jake Paul because if you beat Mike Tyson, everyone will love him.
He added: “What if Mike knocks him out? It’s over. Everything is ready. This would be the backfire of all time. If he gets knocked out, nothing like that has ever happened in the history of the sport.”
Unfortunately for Tyson, this revenge backfired spectacularly, as the former heavyweight champion’s return was the only event that bombed. Tyson had nothing left twenty years after he had nothing left in his tank and no desire to box in his mind.
Paul parlayed this into a money-making scheme that would forever be a success for him and his company, but would be poorly received by the die-hard boxing fraternity.
Cormier’s words resonate, especially after what happened in the ring when Mike Tyson struggled to shift into first gear, warning former fighters thinking about returning after 50.
‘MIKE TYSON WON’T FIGHT EVER AGAIN!’ – Gareth A Davies
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