There’s a flyweight unification at the head of affairs at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona on Saturday as Sunny Edwards attempts to add Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez’s WBO belt to his IBF crown.
Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing promote Rodriguez vs Edwards and DAZN televise live worldwide.
Rodriguez (18-0, 11 KOs) is a dangerous operator in the lower weight classes, and came from almost nowhere to take the vacant WBC super flyweight title at short notice in February 2022, when he dropped Carlos Cuadras on the way to an eye-catching points win in Phoenix.
‘Bam’ backed that win up with a stunning eighth round stoppage of Srisaket Sor Rungvisai four months later, and then had to work to see off Israel Gonzalez on the cards in September last year.
The 23-year-old, would drop down to his more normal weight in April, claiming the vacant WBO crown at flyweight, as he handily outscored Cristian Gonzalez Hernandez in his native San Antonio, Texas.
Edwards (20-0, 4 KOs) has long courted a meeting with ‘Bam’, and he finally gets his wish this weekend.
‘Showtime’ expertly wrenched the IBF belt from Moruti Mthalane in April 2021 in a boxing clinic, and has defended four times since.
The 27-year-old’s first two defences came in Dubai in points wins against Jayson Mama and Muhammad Waseem, and he returned to Sheffield to outpoint Felix Alvarado last November.
Edwards was last out in June, winning eight rounds on all three cards against Andres Campos at Wembley Arena.
Prediction: Edwards starts an underdog, but his boxing skills are underrated, and Rodriguez may find himself frustrated in a scrappy contest. I go with the British man to get the win by a tight decision verdict.
Akhmadaliev returns
Murodjon Akhmadaliev returns from losing his two world titles last time out, and he faces the unbeaten Kevin Gonzalez over twelve at super bantamweight.
Akhmadaliev (11-1, 8 KOs) lost his WBA ‘super’ and IBF baubles in April, dropping a split decision against Marlon Tapales, who will face Naoya Inoue for the undisputed 122 pound titles on Boxing Day.
Gonzalez (26-0-1, 13 KOs) is largely unknown outside of his native Mexico, but has won his last two in the USA.
Prediction: Akhmadaliev can prevail on points here.
Yafai, McGrail brothers and Bostan feature
The undercard features plenty of British interest.
Galal Yafai (5-0, 4 KOs) is a man in a world title hurry, and he can defend his WBC International flyweight title for a fifth time by stopping Rocco Santomauro (22-2, 6 KOs) before the end of their scheduled ten rounds.
Peter McGrail (8-0, 5 KOs) also sees action, and the Liverpudlian super bantamweight can halt Ja’Rico O’Quinn (16-1-1, 8 KOs) in their contest, also over ten.
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Junaid Bostan (7-0, 6 KOs) is one to watch, and the Rotherham southpaw can impress with an early win in his eight rounder against Gordie Russ II (6-0, 6 KOs) at super welterweight.
Joe McGrail (7-0, 3 KOs) joins his older brother Peter on the card, taking part in another six rounder, and he can win on the cards against Edgar Ortiz Jr (8-4-2, 4 KOs).
Remaining Undercard
Super bantamweight prospect, Arturo Popoca (11-0-1, 7 KOs) should take his eight rounder against Carlos Mujica (8-3, 2 KOs) inside schedule, and Albert Gonzalez (6-0, 2 KOs) can outpoint Alexis Eduardo Molina (9-2-1, 5 KOs) over six at featherweight.
