Matchroom promote a world title doubleheader this Saturday evening at Tech Port Arena in San Antonio, and Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez drops down in weight to contest the vacant WBO flyweight title against Cristian Gonzalez Hernandez.
DAZN is the place to watch Rodriguez vs Gonzalez.
Rodriguez (17-0, 11 KOs) had never previously been past eight rounds, but jumped at a chance at the vacant WBC super flyweight title at short notice against Carlos Cuadras in February last year, and took that opportunity with both hands, dropping the Mexican on the way to an impressive points win.
Another solid display followed, with an eighth round stoppage of Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, and the 23-year-old was last out in September 2022, outscoring Israel Gonzalez.
The Texas native now drops back down to his more natural weight, after vacating the belt, with unproven Mexican, Gonzalez (15-1, 5 KOs) his opponent for the title which was relinquished by previous champion, Junto Nakatani who moved up in weight.
After an early split decision loss in his career, the 32-year-old has won nine on the spin, all in his homeland.
His last two outings have ended early, the most recent in March 2022 when he halted Juan Alejo Zuniga inside a round.
Prediction: Rodriguez will be even more dangerous at his favoured weight, and I think he can set up a mouthwatering clash with IBF champion, Sunny Edwards with a late stoppage here.
Akhmadaliev defends titles against Tapales
The second world title offering sees Murodjon Akhmadaliev defend his WBA ‘super’ and IBF super bantamweight crowns against Marlon Tapales.
Akhmadaliev (11-0, 8 KOs) won the belts in 2020, taking a split verdict against Daniel Roman, and he has defended three times since, the last a final round stoppage of Ronny Rios last June.
Tapales (36-3, 19 KOs) is a former WBO bantamweight champion, and since being stopped in eleven by Ryosuke Iwasa in an interim IBF super bantamweight title bid in 2019, but has won three straight since, whilst Akhmadaliev stopped Iwasa in five in April 2021.
Prediction: Akhmadaliev is an impressive operator, and I don’t expect him to slip up here. The Uzbek can close the show after the halfway mark.
Ford meets Magdaleno
Highly touted featherweight, Raymond Ford (13-0-1, 7 KOs) gets a career-toughest test to date, but the New Jersey southpaw can take his twelve rounder against former world champion, Jessie Magdaleno (29-1, 18 KOs) on the scorecards.
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Remaining Undercard
Thomas Mattice (20-3-1, 15 KOs) should defend his WBC Continental Americas super featherweight title against Ramiro Cesena (16-0-1, 13 KOs) with a points win over ten, and at middleweight, Israil Madrimov (8-0-1, 6 KOs) should stop Raphael Igbokwe (16-3, 7 KOs) inside their ten round scheduled distance.
At lightweight, Marc Castro (9-0, 6 KOs) can halt Ricardo Lopez Torres (16-6-3, 11 KOs) in their eight rounder, and Khalil Coe (4-0-1, 2 KOs) should outscore James Quiter (6-1-1, 6 KOs) in their light heavyweight six rounder.
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The sole four rounder is at super bantamweight, where Jesus Martinez (3-0, 1 KO) can secure a points victory against Jose Lopez (4-2-1).
