Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez is one of the most entertaining fighters launching into prominence recently. Rodriguez (17-0, 11 KOs) returns this upcoming Saturday to challenge for the vacant WBO world flyweight title after a fruitful stint at super-flyweight, claiming the WBC crown and defeating former world champion Carlos Cuadras in the process at the age of twenty-two.
Rodriguez will face Cristian Gonzalez (15-1, 5KOs) for the vacant title in what some have predicted as a straightforward task for Rodriguez. The promoter of Rodriguez, Eddie Hearn, has already begun drawing up future ambitions for Rodriguez who he co-promotes alongside with Japanese promotional entity Teiken Promotions.
In recent days, Hearn has signed IBF world flyweight champion Sunny Edwards (19-0, 4KOs) and is eyeing a possible unification between Rodriguez and Edwards later in the year. Of course, if Rodriguez succeeds this Saturday in San Antonio, Texas.
Speaking to Jake Donovan of BoxingScene.com, Hearn spoke regarding the possibility of a unification between Rodriguez and Edwards.
“The whole reason Jesse gave up the belt at 115 was to win all the belts at 112. We got a ready-made unification with Sunny Edwards for Bam if wins this weekend. That’s why we signed him (Edwards). He’s a brilliant fighter. He could possibly run through the entire division, to be quite honest. But Bam is an exceptional talent as well.
“It’s a terrific matchup to do over here. That’s the type of fight we could bring to a bigger venue.”
Hearn continues talking about how he is aiming to also agree on a contest between the WBC world flyweight champion, Julio Cesar Martinez (19-2, 14KOs) and WBA world champion Artem Dalakian (22-0, 15KOs). Martinez will return on May 6th on the undercard of Canelo Alvarez’s return to Mexico against John Ryder in Guadalajara, Mexico. Martinez will face WBC mandatory challenger McWilliams Arroyo, who was given interim title status by the WBC.
“After that, I want him (Martinez) to fight Dalakian,” insisted Hearn. “Maybe later this summer, early (fall), sometime around or shortly after the Bam Rodriguez-Sunny Edwards unification. Then I want him to fight Dalakian.
“From there, the winners fight the winners to become undisputed. It’s not rocket science, they’re all right there to be made. The beauty is, they’re all brilliant fights.
“Jesse, of course, has to get through Saturday,” acknowledged Hearn. “But he and Robert are on board with this.”