Coming into this weekends flyweight unification bout between Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez (WBO) and Sunny Edwards (IBF) it was thought that this would be nip-and-tuck affair between two ring practitioners with high boxing IQ.
That was the case for about four rounds at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
The slick boxing Edwards was making things difficult for the southpaw from San Antonio. Things were relatively even up until that stage with both men having pockets of success. But around round five it was Rodriguez who started to consistently touch up Edwards. And the difference in power was evident on this night. While Edwards (20-1, 4 KOs) swung a wiffle ball bat, 'Bam' was swinging a Louisville Slugger.
Ed Mulholland/Matchroom Boxing
The damage became more and more pronounced on Edwards face, first it was some swelling, than it became cuts, and later bruising. All from the sharp punches of Rodriguez (19-0, 12 KOs) who applied steady pressure but didn't always relegate himself to just working in a straight line towards Edwards. Some well placed body shots (which seemed to bother Edwards from the very first round) served Rodriguez well, who then began to layer his attack with heavy shots over the top in the middle stanzas
It was clear, while Edwards could land on Rodriguez with some sneaky shots, he could never truly hurt him. While Edwards was getting hit more and more cleanly -- with more impact -- as the the fight played out as Rodriguez began to close ground and took the needed space away. The times that Edwards went left-handed was just a minor inconvenience for the well-schooled Rodriguez.
Ed Mulholland/Matchroom Boxing
Near the end of round nine a short, camouflaged left sent Edwards down. This was no flash knockdown, this was final confirmation that Rodriguez had solved this puzzle. Thankfully Edwards didn't have a courageous corner, the decision was made to wave the white flag after this round.
MASTER CLASS | Bam Rodriguez vs. Sunny Edwards Fight Highlights
Several years ago I was with Robert Garcia at his gym in Riverside (the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy), and I asked him who would be his next standout boxer. He said 'Bam', who at that time was unattached to a major promoter. Rodriguez would go onto a couple of impressive outings inside the Top Rank 'bubble' in 2020 before latching on with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing.
Ed Mulholland/Matchroom Boxing
Since the beginning of 2022 he has notched victories over Carlos Cuadras, Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (on his way to becoming the WBC belt-holder at 115), and is now a unified champion at flyweight. It's now time to start putting him in those pound-for-pound lists that are the topic of hot debate on social media. Regardless of where you have him placed, it's clear that he is an elite world-class fighter.
And at age 23, 'Bam' is just getting started.
SHOWTIME
Meanwhile at the Armory in Minneapolis, MN, David Morrell blew out Sena Agbeko in two rounds in defense of his WBA super middleweight title. I'll say it right now, I'm a believer in Morrell. He's got size, speed, athleticism and power. And he's southpaw to boot. The problem is that given his record (10-0, 9 KOs) and relatively anonymity, which marquee name will give this guy a fight?
He is the very definition of high risk-low reward.
But how long can they pretend that he doesn't exist? Keep this in mind, he's just 25 years old.
Amanda Wescott/Showtime Sports
And while Showtime was shutting off it's lights after this broadcast, Chris 'Showtime' Colbert was getting his lights turned out by Jose 'el Rayo' Valenzuela. He was knocked down in the first rounds as he was blitzed from the very onset, and then was knocked out cold from a hook that had him leaning on the bottom rope in the sixth.
Unlike their first encounter back in March, the judges would not be able to bail out Colbert this time around.
Amanda Wescott/Showtime Sports
And with that, 37 years of Showtime Boxing came to an end.
FINAL FLURRIES
Robert Guerrero defeated Andre Berto in their rematch on Showtime...'MJ' Akhmadaliev wore down the game Kevin Gonzalez in eight rounds in his return. I still think he's an elite 122-pounder...Matchroom Boxing announced that Edgar Berlanga will take on Pedraig McCrory on Feb. 24 in Orlando...Looks like the Super Bowl week show for Top Rank on ESPN will feature Teofimo Lopez against Jamaine Ortiz....Are the Buffalo Bills back?....The Niners have the look of a Super Bowl champion, right now....I can be reached at k9kim@yahoo.com....
