Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez (16-0,11 KOs), delivered the performance of a lifetime, as he successfully defended his WBC super flyweight title against Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (50-6-1, 43 KOs). The current youngest active world champion in boxing showcased why he is the future of the sport, as he stopped the hard-hitting veteran Rungvisai in his hometown within eight rounds.
Rodriguez looked to establish dominance from the opening bell, throwing quick and powerful shots, ensuring Rungvisai would never find his rhythm. He nearly made the former champion’s glove touch the mat in the fourth following a powerful right hand to the head. This dominance continued to the seventh, where Rodriguez dropped Rungvisai with a powerful left hook to the temple. The punishment only continued in the eighth, and following a powerful overhand left as well as a barrage of shots referee Mark Colo-oy waved it off. Rodriguez defeated Rungvisai via TKO at 1:50 in the eighth round.
Following this impressive win, the door is wide open for Rodriguez to challenge either WBA champion Juan Francisco Estrada or former #1 pound-for-pounder Roman “Chocalito” Gonzalez. Whoever his next opponent is one thing is for certain, the entire boxing world will be watching to see how he follows up from this elite-level performance.
The co-main-event pitted IBF and WBA unified super bantamweight champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev (11-0, 8 KOs against the veteran underdog Ronny Rios (33-4, 16 KOs). Akhmadaliev flexed his power throughout the fight, throwing hard shots at the seasoned super bantamweight. He continued his dominance through the rest of the match, and with less than a minute left in the 12th round, Akhmadaliev dropped Rios for the first time in the fight. Following the standing 8-count, the champion unloaded with one final assault, prompting the referee to get in between both fighters and stop the fight. Akhmadaliev defeated Rios via TKO at 2:06 in the 12th round.
The second fight of the main card pitted undisputed welterweight champion Jessica McCaskill (12-2, 4 KOs) against challenger Alma Ibarra (10-2, 5 KOs). Both women opened the fight with strong swings, looking to put a quick end to the fight, especially McCaskill, who flexed her power from the opening bell. The 147lb champion laid the damage on through the first three rounds. Going into the fourth round, Ibarra told her trainer she’d had enough, prompting her corner to stop the fight. McCaskill defeated Ibarra via RTD at 0:10 of the fourth round to remain the undisputed women’s welterweight champion.
McCaskill expressed interest in moving down to 140 lbs., a weight class she has experience in, to face junior welterweight champion, Chantelle Cameron. “She’s done spectacular in her career, and we’re doing so well at 147…” said McCaskill. “I think it’s time to move back down to 140, there’s some great fighters [there].”
In the main card opener, featherweight prospect Raymond “Savage” Ford (12-0-1, 6 KOs) retained his WBA Continental Americas Featherweight title as well as won the vacant IBF North American Featherweight against an undefeated Richard Medina Jr. (13-1, 7 KOs) After a solid opening set of rounds from Ford, he continued to dominate late in the fight, winning a resounding unanimous decision against the hometown fighter. The final decision reflected this dominance, with all judges scoring in favor of Ford, 100-90, 100-90, and 99-91. Ford outstruck Medina 191-79.
