Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez successfully moved up to 118-lbs and lifted the WBA title from Antonio Vargas via KO6 on Saturday night in Glendale, AZ. Rodriguez (24-0, 17 KOs) took some shots from the defending champion but closed the deal with his well-known power. Vargas (19-2-1, 11 KOs) took the fight to Rodriguez and fared well early, but succumbed to the fight-changing power in the end.
Rodriguez, as we all know, is moving up from 115 to set up a high-profile showdown with 122-lb. champion and P4P contender Naoya Inoue. The bantamweight division is expected to be a stop along the way.
Vargas did nothing to avoid the vaunted power of Rodriguez and, early on, he looked to be in good shape as he landed big shots and fought “Bam” to a standstill at the very least.
But the bravado of Vargas proved to be folly as Rodriguez dialed in his attack in the fourth round, dropping the defending champion, then finished matters with a big left hand in the sixth.
The potential big-money fight with Inoue requires Rodriguez to jump two weight classes and Saturday night’s fight may have revealed reasons for concern. Vargas was a busy fighter and stood in the pocket, peppering Rodriguez consistently over the first few rounds. “Bam” has dynamite in both fists and ultimately brought that power to bear as he changed the fight in the fourth.
How would it go for Rodriguez at another weight class higher against a surgical power puncher in Inoue?
We may very well find out. On Saturday night, Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez passed the test and in a very satisfying way. He carried his next-level power up to 118-lbs. and scored a dramatic victory.
As I like to say about the game of boxing, in good times or bad, the story continues.
