Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez became a two-weight world champion at Tech Port in San Antonio, Texas, as he claimed the vacant WBO flyweight title with a points win against the awkward Cristian Gonzalez.
Rodriguez (18-0, 11 KOs) suffered a broken jaw in the sixth round but ran out a comfortable winner against Gonzalez (15-2, 5 KOs) in his hometown.
Rodriguez, a former WBC super flyweight titlist, began the fight off the jab, and he used his left to good effect in the opener, keeping Gonzalez on the move.
The 23-year-old’s left hand was a potent weapon, and he used it well again in round two, forcing the Mexican to retreat.
A right to the body and another left hand found the mark in round three, and although the visitor was trying to go into his shell, he was forced to trade in the fourth, coming off second best.
To his credit, Gonzalez was showing great heart, but Rodriguez was dominant as the fight went into the second half, where he suffered a broken jaw.
Rodriguez was in complete control, but Gonzalez never gave him a chance at an early night, and battled into the final rounds, where he was unlucky not to be awarded a knockdown when he landed a jab and a left hand, and the pair tangled feet, leaving ‘Bam’ on the canvas.
It wasn’t counted, and the fight came to its conclusion with a clear winner.
Rodriguez was confirmed new champion by scores of 118-110, 117-111 and 116-112, and promptly called for a unification with new promotional stablemate and IBF champion, Sunny Edwards.
“Sunny Edwards,” he told DAZN when asked who he wants next.
“That’s the only option.
“I think he’s been talking so that’s the only option.”
Tapales topples MJ
The undercard saw a new unified world champion crowned, as Marlon Tapales (37-3, 19 KOs) became WBA ‘super’ and IBF super bantamweight champion with a split decision win against Murodjon Akhmadaliev.
The Filipino received two tallies of 115-113, and Akhmadaliev (11-1, 8 KOs) was awarded a bizarre 118-110 verdict that failed to save his titles.
Ford sees off Magdaleno
Raymond Ford was put in his toughest test to date on paper, but he passed with flying colours in a wide points win against former world champion, Jessie Magdaleno over twelve a lightweight.
Magdaleno (29-2, 18 KOs) was dropped by Ford (14-0-1, 7 KOs) in rounds four and eleven, and the ‘Savage’ would go on to record the win on the cards by scores of 119-107×2 and 116-110.
Remaining Undercard
Thomas Mattice (21-3-1, 16 KOs) defended his WBC Continental Americas super featherweight title with a tenth and final round stoppage of Ramiro Cesena (16-1-1, 13 KOs), in what looked to be an early intervention from referee Rafael Ramos.
Meanwhile, Israil Madrimov (9-0-1, 6 KOs) took a dominant points win against the tough Raphael Igbokwe (16-4, 7 KOs) at middleweight. Scores were 99-91×2 and 100-90 in favour of the Uzbek.
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Marc Castro (10-0, 7 KOs) also appeared here, and secured a seventh round stoppage of Ricardo Lopez Torres (16-7-3, 11 KOs) in their scheduled eight rounder at lightweight.
Khalil Coe (5-0-1, 3 KOs) scored a highlight-reel third round knockout win against James Quiter (6-2-1, 6 KOs) at light heavyweight, and the sole four rounder ended in a draw between Jesus Martinez (3-0-1, 1 KO) and Jose Lopez (4-2-2) at super bantamweight.
