BoxRec

Juan Francisco Estrada vs Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez targeted for June 29th in Arizona

A month and a half after news first broke, WBC super flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada and unified flyweight champion Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez are reportedly on the verge of finalizing a summer showdown. Salvador Rodriguez revealed yesterday evening that the pair were looking to meet in June, while Jake Donovan recently added that the were in “advanced talks” to headline a June 29th DAZN show in Glendale, AZ.

The prior report claimed Estrada (44-3, 28 KO), who hasn’t seen action since defeating Roman Gonzalez in their December 2022 rubber match, was potentially looking at taking a tune-up in the interim. The current timeline takes that off the table unless they slap him onto some random Tijuana show on a week’s notice, so odds are that he’ll carry the rust into the ring.

Estrada did beat Carlos Cuadras in their rematch after 14 months on the sidelines, but you’ll recall that his atrocious performance against Argi Cortes came after an 18-month sit.

That said, he’s still the cream of the crop at 115 and a significantly tougher style matchup for Rodriguez (19-0, 12 KO) than prior super flyweight victims Carlos Cuadras, Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, and Israel Gonzalez. Once this is official, it’ll be one of the best fights on the schedule.

Press Release

One of the best fights in boxing is official – Juan Francisco Estrada will defend his WBC and Ring Magazine World Super-Flyweight titles against Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona on Saturday June 29, live worldwide on DAZN.

Estrada (44-3 28 KOs) steps back through the ropes to defend the title for the first time after beating old foe Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez in the third installment of their epic trilogy in December 2022, a thrilling encounter he edged via majority decision in front of a packed crowd in Glendale, Arizona.

The 33 year old’s win over the Nicaraguan star made it 2-1 in his favor across their famous trilogy, and now the Mexican meets the hottest young champion in the game that has already claimed the scalps of two of the four modern-day Super-Flyweight kings.

Rodriguez (19-0 12 KOs) had his own epic night in the arena 30 minutes from downtown Phoenix venue that he’ll face ‘Gallo’, when he unified at Flyweight by stopping Sunny Edwards in the ninth round of a stunning performance in December.

The 24 year old will look to build upon that elite showing to try to wrestle back the title he won against Carlos Cuadras in February 2022 at the Footprint Center. ‘Bam’ successfully defended the title twice, first stopping Srisaket Sor Rungvisai in June in his San Antonio backyard, and then seeing off Israel Gonzalez in Las Vegas in September.

It’s a huge weekend for Mexican sports fans in Phoenix, with the national soccer team taking on Ecuador on Sunday in the Copa America at State Farm Stadium, and the clash between Estrada and Rodriguez promises to be one of the fights of the year as two pound-for-pound stars lock horns in a stunning battle.

“I’m very happy to announce my return against Bam Rodriguez,” said Estrada. “After my last victory against Chocolatito we took a good break and was able to spend quality time with my family and my kids and heal an injury I was dealing with.

“I will be more than ready since I know Rodriguez is a dangerous fighter, but in June it will be clear that there’s is plenty of ‘Gallo’ excitement to come.”

“Fighting for my fourth world title against a legend like ‘Gallo’ is huge,” said Rodriguez. “This is a fight I’ve been wanting for a while and I’m ready to prove myself once again.

“On June 29, you guys will see another special performance. AND THE NEW!”

“What a fight this is,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “When the best fight the best, excitement is guaranteed - and there’s no doubt that these are two of the best fighters on the planet.

“There are so many plot lines for us all to get our teeth into in the build-up to this incredible clash – but when the bell goes, the talking will stop, and we will be treated to something very special. Both fighters are to be commended for taking on the challenge – will ‘Gallo’ prove too much too soon for Jesse, or can ‘Bam’ add Juan’s name to his already incredible CV?”

“Another blockbuster fight to add to our already unrivaled schedule”, said Alfie Sharman, VP DAZN. “Bam is not messing around; first he takes on and beats Sunny Edwards - one of the most avoided fighters in the sport – in December and now he faces a legend of the sport in June in Estrada. Do not miss this fight! Tune in live, June 29, only on DAZN”.

An announcement on ticket on-sale dates will be made soon.

Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez relinquishing IBF flyweight title

Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez has informed the IBF that he's relinquishing his flyweight title ahead of his fight against WBC junior bantamweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada on June 29 in Glendale, Arizona.

Rodriguez (19-0, 12 KOs), 2023 ESPN's No. 1 fighter under the age of 25, defeated Sunny Edwards by ninth-round TKO in December to add the IBF belt to his WBO title. Rodriguez has held at least one world title since February 2022.

Rodriguez, 24, a southpaw of San Antonio, Texas, won the WBC junior bantamweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Carlos Cuadras in February 2022. He made two defenses: an eighth-round TKO win over Srisaket Sor Rungvisai four months later and a unanimous decision over Israel Gonzalez in September of that year. He then moved down to flyweight and won the WBO belt by unanimous decision against Christian Gonzalez, before unifying the IBF belt against Edwards.

After his fight with Edwards, promoter Eddie Hearn praised Rodriguez, saying "the kid is super special."

"Up close, that was one of the best performances I've ever seen," Hearn said. "You talk about pound-for-pound great fighters. Sometimes the lower divisions don't get the credit they deserve."

In a news release on Friday, the IBF wished "Jesse Rodriguez continued success in his boxing career."

IBF No. 1 contender Angel Ayala and No. 3 Dave Apolinaro have 30 days, starting on March 28, to reach an agreement to fight for the vacant IBF title, according to the organization.

Sunny Edwards vs Adrian Curiel set for Estrada-Rodriguez co-feature in June

British Sunny Edwards is set for his next fight against Mexican Adrian Curiel on Saturday, June 29 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. The former world champions battle it out on the card topped by Juan Francisco Estrada vs Jesse Rodriguez. The contest is scheduled for 12 rounds at super flyweight.

Once-beaten Sunny Edwards (20-1, 4 KOs) looks to return to winning ways. The 28-year-old native of Sutton, Surrey lost his IBF flyweight title last December in Glendale, where he was stopped by Rodriguez in nine rounds.

“I’m really excited to get the next chapter of my career underway,” said Edwards. “Agreeing another deal with Matchroom which confirms my future here for the foreseeable future.”

“With the belief I’ve got in me from the promotional team and the events I’ve been involved in, I know I’m in the right place.”

“Me vs Curiel is a hell of a fight. He is a former world champion, like myself, and we’re both fighting to get back into world title contention.”

“I’m going to Arizona again and fighting in front of an even bigger crowd this time, filled with passionate Mexican and American boxing fans. 29 June, I’m looking forward to being back.”

Mexico City’s 25-year-old Adrian Curiel (24-5-1, 5 KOs) also targets to get back in the win column. The former IBF light flyweight champion lost his belt in February in Oaxaca, suffering the defeat via 10th-round TKO against Sivenathi Nontshinga.

“I have a brand-new opportunity for my career,” said Curiel. “When you lose, you learn, and I will prove it against Edwards on June 29.”

“If they want to make it 112lbs we will take it even though this is not my weight, all because I am thirsty for revenge. Viva Mexico!”

In the main event, Mexico’s WBC super flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada (44-3, 28 KOs) makes the first defense of his title against unbeaten two-division world champion Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez (19-0, 12 KOs) of San Antonio, Texas. The world championship bout is scheduled for 12 rounds.

Card is warming up.

Numbers look good for Estrada.
I get he's 34 but what is it that Rodriguez does that beats him.

Sunny Edwards v Adrian Curiel
Anyone seen Curiel before ?

Evander wrote: ↑26 May 2024, 01:29 Sunny Edwards v Adrian Curiel
Anyone seen Curiel before ?

Seen him a couple of times.

Should be easy for Sunny.

Sunny is a bit wild.
His boxing ability has some sense to it.
I'm looking forward to seeing him.

its a shame this is maybe a year or two late for Estrada, but his experience and nous should still mean he gives bam a serious examination at the very least.

I can only imagine this will be a very, very skilled technical fight and possibly technical war as I think they are evenly matched and neither man does much running.

Could come down to age if it goes a few rounds if you know what I mean.
Perhaps they're relying on Estrada to fade.

Don't know the weights of them at the time they did the promotion, but Bam looked bigger.
Estrada looked and sounded clear headed.
I can why Bam is the favourite, but Estrada looks like a live one even at 34.

I think that Bam is going to demolish Estrada. Estrada lost at least 1 of his last 2 vs. Choco. They were fun fights but Bam is a different human. This kid has endless energy and skills through the roof. Estrada is knocked out cold within 10

Hard to say.
The sizes and styles could morph into any kind of bout.
Estrada has high level boxing skills.
Rodriguez is younger and fresher.
It looks a quality style match up.

It's going to be a test for both of them.
Estrada is experience central, Rodriguez is on the way up.
It's a strategic boxing fans dream.

Is the Edwards-Curiel fight still on? it's been very quiet, it's not on the DAZN schedule, and Boxrec has Edwards suspended by the Arizona Commission.

Anyone heard anything

Fight Week!!

Predictions

I'm up in the air on this one, there's so much going on.
Bam looks all in.
Estrada we gotta see.
I genuinely don't know.
Lean towards Estrada if it goes 12 but Bam has enough spirit to make it go even or more, up to him.

bam for me, aside from just being really good the momentum is much his way. jfe no fights since 2022, older for this weight class....

Be interesting once it settles down