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Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez is back, and he’s looking to make waves on the East Coast after spending most of his career fighting in Cali and Texas.
After a dominant showing against Juan Francisco Estrada, Rodriguez will defend his WBC super flyweight title against mandatory challenger Pedro Guevera on November 9th at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia which will air live on DAZN.
𝟐 𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 👑👑@JaronEnnis & @210bam star in Philly this Saturday night ⭐️#EnnisChukhadzhian | Nov 9 | #RodriguezGuevara | Live on DAZN pic.twitter.com/Ma6IEkOxR3
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) November 6, 2024
Ahead of the fight, we spoke with Rodriguez about his future in the 115-pound division, breaking into the pound-for-pound rankings, a potential match-up against Naoya Inoue, and fighting on the East Coast for the first time.
You’re going to co-headline this fight with Jaron “Boots” Ennis in Philadelphia. Tell us what that experience has been like so far.
Bam Rodriguez: “Yeah so this is actually my first fight ever in the East Coast, even as an amateur.So it’s very, it’s, it’s different for sure, but I know Saturday night is gonna be a good turnout. Boots is a huge name here in Philadelphia, and it’s a good opportunity to go out there and gain more fans from the East Coast. So I’m very excited for that.”
What are your thoughts on your opponent, Pedro Guevara?
“I really don’t know much about him. I haven’t even seen much of his fighting style. I didn’t really study film on him, I let my coaches handle that, but I mean, I’m just the kind of fighter to go out there in the first few rounds and see what he brings, and then I’ll go from there, but I know he’s coming off a victory against Andrew Maloney, so mentally he’s very motivated. It’s a huge opportunity for him, so I know he’s gonna come with everything he has.”
What’s your mentality going into this fight as a big favorite after your performance vs Estrada?
“My mentality is the same as any other fight. My past two fights (Sunny Edwards & Estrada) were huge fights and that’s the same mentality I’m bringing into this fight. So come Saturday night, I’m gonna go out there and shine.”
You’re still only 24 years old; what are your goals for the future?
“My short-term goal is winning this fight, of course, and then unifying with any of the champions at 115.”
Fans want to see you fight Naoya Inoue, but he’s currently at 122 and you’re at 115, what are your thoughts about a potential match-up against him?
“That’s an amazing fight. It’s not realistic right now, but in a few years, I think it’s a huge fight, especially in Japan. I mean, as far as the fight goes, it’ll be fireworks, I believe.”
You entered the pound-for-pound rankings after defeating Estrada. Do you feel more pressure to perform now that you’re on the P4P list?
“It is a little bit more pressure just because people are expecting a lot from you now, but even before I was on the pound-for-pound rankings, I already had that pressure just because, I mean, from one day to the next, I became a champion. So people expected a lot from me every fight, and even now, it’s a little bit more pressure, but I mean, I’m kind of used to it now, and I just go out there and keep my mentality on winning and just looking good.”
A lot of East Coast fans at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia are going to see you fight for the first time, what can they expect?
“Expect a great fight. If you don’t know who I am. Saturday night, you will find out.”