In a changing-of-the-guard moment for the super flyweight division, Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez got off the canvas to score a sensational seventh-round knockout over legendary Mexican Juan Francisco Estrada at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona on Saturday. The win secures Bam the WBA and Ring Magazine championships.
WATCH: Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Bam Rodriguez on DAZN
Bam (20-0) decked the champion with an explosive three-punch combination in round four and looked close to a knockout win. However, early in round six, Estrada shocked the 10,000-strong crowd with a brilliant right-hand knockdown of his own. The difference was that Bam was clear-eyed and couldn’t wait to get back to action. The end came courtesy of a terrific left hand to the body from Bam at the end of the seventh.
“It was a tough fight. I got dropped for the first time – that was crazy,” said Bam during his post-fight interview with DAZN. “I’ve always pictured myself in a fight like this. To be in the ring with a guy like ‘El Gallo’, a legend, makes it that much better.
“I was keeping my distance. He didn’t know what to do when I was on the outside and (trainer) Robert [Garcia] kept telling me that. I just stuck to the game plan. It’s an honor to share the ring with ‘El Gallo’ and take his belts.”
Bam got to work early behind a powerful and accurate right jab. His punches carried so much more authority and Estrada looked reluctant to engage in round one. Despite Bam being the much younger man, his angle creation and punch variety belied his years, and his skills must have impressed the man he was facing.
Estrada was badly hurt in the third by a right hook and woozy for several seconds. Only his championship heart and cunning kept him alive, but it looked like the sand was running out of the veteran’s hourglass. The knockdown in round four looked like the beginning of the end and the fifth made for uncomfortable viewing.
It was then that this fight became something special. Early in the sixth, Estrada, perhaps sensing some complacency in his opponent, lowered the boom with a sharp right hand to the head and Bam went down in an eyeblink. He got up with an embarrassed smile on his face and the referee called the pair back to action. Estrada sought to turn the fight upside down and the knockdown was further proof of his greatness as a champion.
Even before he was taken out by a backbreaking left hand, Estrada had made further adjustments and was having a good round in the seventh. Unfortunately for “El Gallo”, his young opponent had other plans.
MORE: SN's Top-12 best pound-for-pound boxers
Speaking of plans, Bam was asked what he’d like to do if the contractually agreed rematch with Estrada doesn’t happen next. After stating that he would like the winner of the super flyweight unification bout between Kazuto Ioka and Fernando Martinez, the new champ was asked if super bantamweight king Naoya Inoue was an option.
“It’s a big fight, but let’s be real, it’s a fantasy fight for now,” countered Bam, who campaigns two divisions south of the Japanese sensation. “I’ve got to build myself up [in weight].”
Estrada, 34, has been a pound-for-pound stalwart for several years. His career has been simply outstanding and one look at his resume tells you that the Mexican warrior is a lock for the Hall of Fame. The 19-month layoff was a worry coming in, but Estrada proved that he’s still full of fight and he wants to run it back.
“I know the mistakes I made in there and I want the rematch,” said Estrada. “I need to box a little bit more, but I’ll put this right in the second fight.”
At just 24 years old, Bam is the youngest world champion in the sport today. His career trajectory has been incredible, with career-defining triumphs over Carlos Cuadras, Srisaket Sor Rungvisai and Sunny Edwards proceeding this one over “El Gallo” Estrada. If he can maintain this type of form, then a Hall of Fame spot will be a formality.
The Sporting News provided live updates on the undercard and round-by-round coverage of the main event.
Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Bam Rodriguez live updates, highlights, and commentary
Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Bam Rodriguez: SN live scorecard
| Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Total |
| Estrada | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 10 | - | ||||||
| Bam | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | - |
Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Bam Rodriguez live updates, highlights, and commentary
AND THE NEWS WBC AND RING MAGAZINE SUPER FLYWEIGHT CHAMPION... BAM RODRIGUEZ. THE OFFICIAL TIME IS 3:00.
Round 7: Nice start to the round from Estrada, who is keeping his man off with the jab and the one-two. Three-punch combo from Estrada. The champ is now matching Bam for angles. What a fighter Estrada is! BIG RIGHT HOOK FROM BAM! The challenger targets the body and these shots are HARD! MASSIVE LEFT-HAND BODY SHOT DECKS ESTRADA! HE IS OUT!!!
INCREDIBLE FINISH!!!!
SN Unofficial Scorecard: -
Round 6: DOWN GOES BAM! Holy sh__! A big right hand from Estrada drops Bam for the first time in his career. Never count out a legend! Now we have a potential Fight of the Year. Huge uppercut from Bam. Right-hand return from Estrada, This is MAYHEM! Big body shot scores from Estrada.
SN Unofficial Scorecard: 10-8 Estrada (58-54 Bam)
Round 5: Bam is back on his man again, backing Estrada up and scoring heavily with the jab and quick-fisted combinations. HUGE ONE-TWO FROM BAM! A MASSIVE UPPERCUT SCORES! This fight is close to being over. Big right jab again. Estrada's corner should consider getting him out of this. He's going to get hurt!
SN Unofficial Scorecard: 10-9 Bam (50-44 Bam)
Round 4: Right jab from Bam. BOOM! A couple of decent shots from Estrada halts Bam's momentum slightly. Terrific pivoting from Bam as he seeks the punching angles. BIG THREE-PUNCH COMBO DROPS ESTRADA! The champ gets up and then falls over Bam's lead foot. No knockdown. The writing is on the wall.
SN Unofficial Scorecard: 10-8 Bam (40-35 Bam)
Round 3: Terrific right hook connects from Bam. HUGE RIGHT SCORES AGAIN AND HURTS ESTRADA! The champ is woozy and using all of his experience to stay alive. It took a long time for Estrada to regain his shape after that punch. Right jab blasts home from Bam. HUGE ROUND FOR BAM!
SN Unofficial Scorecard: 10-9 Bam (30-27 Bam)
Round 2: Bam's right jab is working wonders. His punches also have much more authority. Good right from Estrada, but it looks like he has how work cut out for him. The challenger's feet have been excellent.
SN Unofficial Scorecard: 10-9 Bam (20-18 Bam)
Round 1: Both fighters looking for the range on the jab. Two left hands land hard for Bam out of the southpaw stance. Estrada returns fire with a right and a check left hook. Elite level skill through the opening stages. Would you expect anything less?
SN Unofficial Scorecard: 10-9 Bam
12:51 p.m. ET: It is time for tonight's main event. Ring walks are complete and it's the great Juan Francisco Estrada versus Bam Rodriguez. The WBC and Ring Magazine super flyweight titles, as well as a pound-for-pound jump for the winner. It doesn't get any better than this. We now switch to round-by-round scoring.
THE WINNER VIA UNANIMOUS TECHNICAL DECISION IS SUNNY EDWARDS. OFFICIAL NUMBERS ARE 90-82, 88-84 and 87-85. THE TWO JUDGES THAT GAVE CURIEL ROUNDS NEED A NEW JOB.
12:14 p.m. ET: The doctor inspects the cut before the beginning of round ten and stops the fight almost immediately. We go to the scorecards which is a formality because Edwards has won every single round with room to spare.
12:04 a.m. ET: An accidental clash of heads opens a massive cut over Edward's left eye. Curiel is wounded too, but nowhere near as bad. The fight continues. If the bout is stopped and goes to the cards, then Edwards hasn't lost a single round.
11:57 p.m. ET: We're four rounds in and Curiel is chasing shadows. Edwards is switch-hitting, jabbing, moving, and popping home the counters for fun. The former flyweight champ is having a field day.
11:43 p.m. ET: Edwards gets off to a great start, using the ring, popping Curiel at will, and avoiding the return fire. If past is prologue, then the Englishman will be happy to post another 11 rounds just like this one.
11:31 p.m. ET: Next up is a battle of ex-world champions. Former IBF flyweight titleholder Sunny Edwards takes on former IBF light flyweight champ Adrian Curiel. Both men are coming off stoppage losses and are looking to get back in the world title picture.
AND STILL THE WBC SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE WORLD... YAMILETH MERCADO. THE CHAMPION RETAINS HER TITLE BY 10-ROUND UNANIMOUS DECISION. OFFICIAL SCORES ARE 98-93, 98-92 AND 97-93.
11:17 p.m. ET: The final round was the entire fight in microcosm. Mercado released more punches and Ali scored the eye-catching shots. It's a close one and could go either way.
11:11 p.m. ET: The big punches keep landing from Ali although they only seem to spur the champion into action. Mercado has thrown far more punches in this fight. We're in the ninth round of what has been a close and competitive fight.
11:00 p.m. ET: The rounds are flying by in this women's world title fight. Mercado is releasing more punches, but it's Ali landing the bigger and more accurate shots.
10:57 p.m. ET: WBC and Ring Magazine super flyweight champ "El Gallo" Estrada arrives at the arena and looks ready to go. Bam Rodriguez is in the process of having his hands wrapped.
10:46 p.m. ET: Next up is world title action between WBC super bantamweight champ Yamileth Mercado and Britain's Ramla Ali. The fighters are in the ring and this bout is scheduled for 10 two-minute rounds.
THE WINNER IS ARTURO CARDENAS, WHO CLAIMS A 10-ROUND MAJORITY DECISION. THE NUMBERS ARE 97-93, 96-94 AND 95-95. CARDENAS IMPROVES TO 14-0-1 (8 KOs). A DISAPPOINTED BARRIOS FALLS TO 15-1 (5 KOs).
10:28 p.m. ET: Barrios got in his bike in the last two rounds and while his adopted home crowd was booing those tactics, that might have been the best tactical switch for him. Very close fight. Let's see how the judges have this 10-round bout.
10:21 p.m. ET: The best round of the fight was the eighth. Fabulous back-and-forth action that culminated in fierce exchanges at the end of the round. Spectacular stuff from both men!
10:16 p.m. ET: More quality shots from Cardenas in the seventh. The Mexican fighter times Barrios exiting to his right and nailed him with a left hook. Barrios was momentarily stunned at the end of the session. The fight is close on points now.
10:12 p.m. ET: Cardenas has come back into the fight over the past two rounds. He just posted his best round in the sixth and landed several meaty right hands to the head. The power-punching got the attention of Barrios.
10:03 p.m. ET: We're four rounds in and southpaw Barrios has the decided edge. He's boxing very well from the outside and his left hand has brought swelling to the face of Cardenas. Plenty of action and the crowd is into this one.
9:42 p.m. ET: The main card is underway. First up we have a super bantamweight attraction between Arturo Cardenas and Danny Barrios. The fighters are in the ring.
9:08 p.m. ET: Gabriel Muratalla (12-0) turns in a dominant eight-round unanimous decision over a game Carlos Fontes. Official scores are 79-73, 78-74 and 77-75.
8:43 p.m. ET: Serious business from Muratalla, who is scoring with some blistering combinations in round three. Fontes taking the shots well and trying to fire back, but he needs to get his defense together in a hurry.
8:29 p.m. ET: The bantamweights are next up with unbeaten star Gabriel Muratalla going against the experienced Carlos Fontes. On paper, this is a step up for Muratalla.
8:12 p.m. ET: TWO MORE KNOCKDOWNS FROM THE LEFT HAND END THE FIGHT QUICKLY IN ROUND TWO. Rojos (9-0) with a sparkling and exciting performance. That's the way to get the job done! The official time of the stoppage is 1:13.
8:09 p.m. ET: DOWN GOES GONZALEZ from a sharp left hand in the opening round. Rojo looks razor-sharp and goes for the finish straight away. More heavy blows land before the bell sounds to end a punishing three minutes.
8:03 p.m. ET: Next up, we're in the welterweight division as unbeaten southpaw Fabian Rojo enters the ring against Daniel Gonzalez.
8:00 p.m. ET: Neither fighter was down or seriously hurt but spirited action throughout. The official scorecards favor unbeaten prospect Rubalcava, who moves to 8-0.
7:00 p.m. ET: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of the WBC and Ring Magazine super flyweight title fight between champion Juan Francisco Estrada and challenger Bam Rodriguez. We're in the countdown!!!
Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Bam Rodriguez start time
- Date: Saturday, June 29
- Time: 9 p.m. ET (7 p.m. ET for prelims) | 2 a.m. BST (Sun) | 11 a.m. AEST (Sun)
- Main event start time (approx.): midnight ET | 5 a.m. BST (Sun) | 2 p.m. AEST (Sun)
- Location: Footprint Center — Phoenix, Arizona
Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Bam Rodriguez starts at 9 p.m. ET, with undercard action airing at 7 p.m. ET. The main event should begin close to midnight ET, depending on how long the undercard fights last.
How to watch Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Bam Rodriguez
- DAZN monthly subscription: $19.99 on a 12-month contract or $24.99 month-to-month in U.S. | $24.99 per month in Canada | £9.99 in the U.K. on a 12-month contract, or £19.99 month-to-month | 13.99 AUD in Australia
- DAZN annual subscription: $224.99 in the U.S. | $199.99 in Canada | £99.99 in the U.K.
Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Bam Rodriguez is available on DAZN worldwide.
WATCH: Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Bam Rodriguez, live on DAZN
Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Bam Rodriguez fight card
- Bam Rodriguez def. Juan Francisco Estrada via KO 7 (3:00) for the WBC and Ring Magazine super flyweight titles
- Sunny Edwards def. Adrian Curiel via TD 9 (90-82, 88-84, 87-85); Flyweights
- Arturo Cardenas def. Danny Barrios via UD 10 (97-93, 96-94, 95-95); Super Bantamweights
- Yamileth Mercado (c) def. Ramla Ali via UD 10 (98-93, 98-92, 97-93) for the WBC super bantamweight title
- Gabriel Muratalla def. Carlos Fontes (79-73, 78-74, 77-75); Bantamweights
- Fabian Rojo def. Daniel Gonzalez via TKO 2 (1:13); Welterweights
- Leonardo Rubalcava def. William Flenoy via UD 6 (60,54, 59-55, 59-55); Super Lightweights
If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Learn more >
