WBC Special Preview: Jesse Rodriguez vs. Israel Gonzalez
By James Blears
Israel “Jiga” Gonzalez has already launched four attempts to become a world champion, and this fifth voyage of discovery against punching prodigy Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez will be a daunting sink or swim, at the T Mobile Arena in Paradise, on the same bill as Canelo vs Golovkin III, on September 17th, in the midst of Mexican Independence Day Celebrations.
To lead undefeated Bam (16-0, 11KO) on a merry dance and hand him defeat, will be no easy feat for Jiga (27-4-1, 11KO). Southpaw Bam is a revelation, a sensation and a superstar in the making. The new kid on the block. On just five days of notice, he took on Carlos Cuadras for the vacant WBC super-flyweight title, after Srisaket Sor Rungvisai fell ill. Bam also moved up a weight division to do so. The opportunity of a lifetime, which the young man seized with both hands guided by a cool head, to become the youngest title holder.
A cracking right uppercut put “The Prince” down mighty hard in round three and a superb marksmanship coupled with a maturity beyond his years, earned Jesse a deserved UD, and meant that Carlos didn`t re-claim the throne. Then in his first defense, he took on the forbidding Srisaket Sor Rungvisai. A fellow southpaw, who`s renown for heavy hitting, the teak tough Thai, a two times champion, was systematically out-boxed and broken down, by the younger and fresher new champion. A left hook put “King Rat” down in the seventh, and a flurry of unanswered punches obliged the Referee to intervene, one round later, as Bam backed and rocked Srisaket into the ropes, picking him off at will.
So now, fellow Mexican Israel “Jiga” Gonzalez gets the opportunity to take on Bam. Up to this point always trying to be the best man, and not yet the bridegroom, Jiga has had four attempts at glory, but fallen short.
Jiga's first world title fight was for the IBF super-flyweight title against hard hitting Filipino southpaw Jerwin Ancajas, who overwhelmed him with a TKO in six rounds, back in 2018. That same year he did considerably better against Kai Yafai, with the WBA super-flyweight title at stake, losing a UD. He then audaciously took on Roman “Chocolatito”Gonzalez in 2020. Chocolatito who`d blasted out Kai, dominated Israel to win a UD, but a great learning experience for the courageous Mexican, who took everything and kept firing back until the final bell.
In his next attempt, he went into the lion`s den, travelling to Puerto Rico to take on Jose Martinez last year for the vacant WBO Bantamweight title. One Judge saw him winning, while the other two scored it a draw. So near, but yet and still so far!
A guest at a recent Martes a Café, Israel was smiling and relaxed. Sean Gibbons, who`s the President of Manny Pacquiao Promotions, said Israel is capable of springing a mighty surprise, and will be able to capitalize on, plus draw upon a veritable wealth of experience.
Israel is an excellent body puncher. He has an accurate stiff left jab and fast hands. He`s a good boxer, who also loves to trade. Against Bam, who is a relentless pressure fighter, deviating away from iron discipline to indulge in a slugfest, would be a mistaken strategy. Bam is good at everything, but especially proficient close in. Israel`s best chance is to stay constantly mobile, use his jab, and keep it at long range. He`s taller and has reach advantage. But Bam has an unerring knack of hunting down, homing in on and targeting his opponent, going to work with a will…eye watering willpower.
There`s a tangible magic amounting to supreme pride when two Mexicans fight. Not a dull moment and an impactful intensity which is so very special. This one will definitely live up to that. Fifth time lucky, rewarding sheer persistence? Or dispatched via a bunch of fives? A Jesse James Vs Israel showdown, sternly testing who`s quickest on the draw!
WBC STATS
25 world champions have been recognized by the WBC, of whom only six have regained the title: Rafael Orono (Venezuela), Gilberto Roman (Mexico), Masamori Tokuyama (Japan), Vic Darchinyan (Australia), Tomas Rojas (Mexico), Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (Thailand).
120 super flyweight world title fights have been held in WBC history.
JESSE “Bam” RODRIGUEZ (USA)
WBC Super Flyweight World Champion, 2nd Title Defense
Age: 22 / Date of birth: January 20, 2000
Residence, birthplace: San Antonio, Texas
Record: 16-0, 11KO
Total rounds: 70
World championship fights: 2-0, 1KO
Height: 5’4″ – 163cm
Reach: 67″ – 170cm
Stance: Left-handed
Manager, trainer: Robert Garcia
ISRAEL “Jiga” GONZALEZ (Mexico)
Ranked WBC No. 11 at Super Flyweight
Age: 26
Date of birth: April 12, 1996
Residence, birthplace: Cabo San Lucas, Baja California, Mexico
Record: 28-4-1, 11 KOs
Total rounds: 195
World championship fights: 0-3
Height: 5’6” – 168cm
Reach: 69” – 175cm
Stance: Right-handed
WBC SUPER FLYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONS
1. Rafael Orono (Venezuela) 1980 – 1981
2. Chulho Kim (Korea) 1981 – 1982
3. Rafael Orono (Venezuela) 1982 – 1983*
4. Payao Pooltarat (+) (Thai) 1983 – 1984
5. Jiro Watanabe (Japan) 1984 – 1986
6. Gilberto Roman (+) (Mexico) 1986 – 1987
7. Santos Laciar (Argentina) 1987
8. Jose Bebis Rojas (Colombia) 1987 – 1988
9. Gilberto Roman (+) (Mex) 1988 – 1989*
10. Nana Konadu (Ghana) 1989 – 1990
11. Sungkil Moon (Korea) 1990 – 1993
12. Jose Luis Bueno (Mexico) 1993 – 1994
13. Hiroshi Kawashima (Japan) 1994 – 1997
14. Gerry Peñalosa (Phil) 1997 – 1998
15. Injoo Cho (Korea) 1998 – 2000
16. Masamori Tokuyama (Jap) 2000 – 2004
17. Katsushige Kawashima (Jap) 2004 – 2005
18. Masamori Tokuyama (Jap) 2005 – 2006 *
19. Cristian Mijares (Mexico) 2006 – 2008
20. Vic Darchinyan (Australia) 2008 – 2010
21. Tomas Rojas (Mexico) (Interim) 2009
22. Vic Darchinyan (Aust) 2009 – 2010*
23. Tomas Rojas (Mexico) 2010 – 2011*
24. Suriyan Por Chockchai (Thai) 2011 – 2012
25. Yota Sato (Japan) 2012 – 2013
26. Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (Thai) 2013 – 2014
27. Carlos Cuadras (Mexico) 2014 – 2016
28. Roman Gonzalez (Nic) 2016 – 2017
29. Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (Thai) 2017 – 2019*
30. Juan Francisco Estrada (Mex) Franchise 2019 –
31. Jesse Rodriguez (US) 2022 –
* Regained
WBC SUPER FLYWEIGHT TOP 10 CHAMPIONS
1. Gilberto Roman (Mexico)
2. Santos Laciar (Argentina)
3. Jiro Watanabe (Japan)
4. Chulho Kim (Korea)
5. Cristian Mijares (Mexico)
6. Gerry Peñalosa (Philippines)
7. Sungkil Moon (Korea)
8. Rafael Orono (Venezuela)
9. Carlos Cuadras (Mexico)
10. Jose Luis Bueno (Mexico)
