Jesse Rodriguez W12 Israel Gonzalez... In the Alvarez-Golovkin pay-per-view co-feature in Las Vegas, WBC non-franchise super flyweight world champion Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez, 114.8 lbs., of San Antonio, TX, withstood a stern challenge from the respected Mexican warrior, Israel Gonzalez, 114.6 lbs., who came in as a substantial underdog. Rodriguez made second defense of the title [that the WBC stripped from Juan Francisco Estrada to create a two-tier championship]. Rodriguez applied pressure early on, walking through Gonzalez’s offense. However, as the rounds progressed, Gonzalez’s speed and volume punching forced the champion to be the counterpuncher. Rodriguez’s best counterpunch was his right uppercut on the inside, of which he landed several effectively over the course of the bout. Round eight was a rough one for Gonzalez, who was cut over the left eye from an accidental headbutt, was also hit twice by low blows. The consecutive low blows prompted referee Kenny Bayless to deduct a point from Rodriguez. The champion closed strong, landing the more effective blows, as Gonzalez, who was hit low again in the 11th stanza, fatigued in the final six minutes of action.

The judges’ tallies ranged from a wide to a tight win for Rodriguez. Tim Cheatham scored the bout 118-109, which does not accurately portray how competitive this bout was. Max De Luca had it 117-110, while Patricia Morse Jarman gave Rodriguez the nod on a razor-thin 114-113. The 22 year-old Rodriguez (17-0 with 11 KOs), burst onto the world stage earlier this year, seizing the title created by the WBC in a thrilling performance against former champion Carlos Cuadras in February. In June, Rodriguez defeated another former champion and super flyweight star Srisaket Sor Rungvisai to defend his belt. With tonight’s victory, Rodriguez may be in the running for “Fighter of the Year”. Gonzalez, now 28-5-1 (11 KOs), previously challenged for a super flyweight world title three other times. In 2018, he lost to Jerwin Ancajas for the IBF belt and Khalid Yafai for the WBA title. Then, in 2020, he was defeated by “Chocolatito” Roman Gonzalez, again for the WBA 115-pound strap.