The World Boxing Organization announced Wednesday that Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez has officially relinquished his world junior bantamweight title, moving up to 118 pounds.

“The World Boxing Organization (WBO) has received and officially accepted confirmation from Team Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez that he is relinquishing the WBO Junior Bantamweight (115-pound) World Championship as he begins the next chapter of his extraordinary career by moving up to the Bantamweight (118-pound) division in his pursuit of a third WBO world championship in a modern weight class,” the organization said in an official statement.

Rodriguez, 26, of San Antonio is 23-0 with 16 knockouts. He previously held the WBO flyweight title, which he won against Cristian Gonzalez in April 2023, and unified with Sunlit Edwards later that year. He won the WBO 115-pound belt by defeating Phumelele Cafu in July 2025.

“Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez leaves the 115-pound division as a proud two-division WBO world champion and one of the greatest fighters of his generation,” the WBO statement continued. “His extraordinary talent, technical brilliance, unwavering professionalism and championship spirit have cemented his place among boxing’s elite and firmly position him as one of the sport’s greatest pound-for-pound fighters.”

The 115-pound weight loss is complete

The WBO announcement marks the end of Rodriguez’s departure from the junior bantamweight division, where he held the WBA, WBC and WBO titles. Coach Robert Garcia said this week that waiver letters have been sent to all three sanctioning bodies. On Tuesday, the WBC announced the vacant championship and in a statement thanked Rodriguez for representing the organization.

The WBO said the process to fill the 115-pound vacancy is already underway. “An official announcement regarding the championship vacancy is imminent and will be published shortly,” the statement read.

Vargas fights on Saturday in Glendale

Rodriguez will face WBA bantamweight champion Antonio Vargas 19-1-1 with 11 knockouts on Saturday, June 13 at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. Card promoted by Matchroom Boxing in cooperation with Boxlab Promotions, broadcasts worldwide on DAZN. A victory would make Rodriguez a three-division world champion.

The WBO also hinted at a potential fight with its 118-pound champion. “As his goal is to win the 118-pound world title and ultimately face a future fight against reigning WBO bantamweight world champion Cristian “Chispa” Medina, we wish Jesse every success, good health and continued excellence in all of his future endeavors, starting with his upcoming fight,” the statement read.

“On behalf of the entire WBO family, we extend our honest gratitude and best wishes to Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez,” the organization added. “The doors of the World Boxing Organization will always remain open to a champion who represented the values ​​of excellence, honor and sportsmanship at the highest level.”

Mike Tyson trains like a man who has a fight booked. The problem is that almost a month after announcing the postponement of his proposed Floyd Mayweather exhibition, there is still no date, no location and very little sign of movement.

Just days before his 60th birthday, Tyson once again posted footage of the explosive combinations, edged moves and intensity that always sparks discussion among fans.

The former undisputed heavyweight champion looks in excellent condition.

The question is why he trains.

I’m waiting for Floyd

On May 20, a press release stated that Tyson’s appearance against Mayweather had been postponed after Tyson injured his hand in training.

The statement insisted that the event would remain in place and would be postponed until the fall.

There have been few reports since then.

There was no movement or significant advance from Mayweather himself, even though Tyson continued to prepare as if a comeback was just around the corner.

Despite training strenuous, Tyson may have to eventually find another opponent unless Mayweather joins his team soon.

Mayweather will face Mike Zambidis for the first time this month and remains linked with a potential rematch with Manny Pacquiao later this year. If these plans become a priority and move forward, Tyson could wait until age 60 while Mayweather focuses elsewhere.

Tyson gave every indication that he expected to fight again. The recording shows a man who, instead of simply keeping fit, is preparing for a date.

Training without answers

Tyson appears to be doing everything required of a fighter preparing for a comeback, but the only thing he’s missing is transparency.

The footage is impressive and the work ethic remains undeniable. But the biggest question about Tyson has nothing to do with how he looks on the pads.

What matters is whether the opponent you seem to be preparing for will actually be on the opposite side when the time comes.

For now, Tyson is training, although uncertainty remains.

The longer the silence goes on, the bigger the question becomes: Who is he actually preparing for?

About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.

The fight between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua has been the most desired fight in British boxing for some time, and the signed contract has brought it closer than ever. Assumptions that the event will take place in the UK, however, can be taken for granted.

Rumors and attempts at a Fury vs. Joshua fight have been circulating for years, and both men are considered pillars of glamor boxing. However, the long-winded competition has so far failed to break the ropes.

British boxing fans were given hope this year when it was announced that the pair had agreed to fight in 2026in anticipation of “AJ’s” official “warm-up” against Kristian Prenga in July, with Fury potentially fighting his own fight at a similar level.

Although the UK was considered the obvious leader in terms of location, The boxing scene it was recently reported that Fury-Joshua may end up at SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles instead.

SoFi Stadium is home to the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers and will be used eight times during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as well as next year’s Super Bowl LXI.

Although the facility, which could accommodate up to 100,000 fight fans, had not previously been used to host boxing events, it was used to host WrestleMania 39 in 2023, which was scheduled to follow a schedule similar to fight night.

However, in response to the reports, boxing journalist Dan Rafael offered conflicting observations.

“According to a source with direct knowledge of the plans, assuming Joshua and Fury win their warm-up fights, their fight will take place in November in the UK. It will not be in Los Angeles.”

According to a source with direct knowledge of the plans, assuming Joshua and Fury win their warm-up fights, their fight will take place in November in the UK. It won’t be Los Angeles. #box

— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) June 9, 2026

As Rafael states, both Fury and Joshua must complete their “warm-up” bouts unscathed in order to start the fight and reveal official details about their meeting. Until then, fans will likely have to speculate as to where this megafight might take place.

Location talks further confused the event after Zuffa Boxing’s Dana White stated he would be the main promoter. This was strongly refuted by Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren, who represent Joshua and Fury respectively.