Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez Stops Cafu in 10th Round to Stay Undefeated and Eye Inoue Showdown

Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez, a 25-year-old American boxing sensation, successfully defended his WBC and Ring Magazine super flyweight titles on July 19, 2025, in Frisco, Texas. Facing South Africa’s Phumelela Cafu, Rodriguez extended his undefeated record to 21-0 (14 KOs) with a commanding tenth-round stoppage.

Despite Cafu’s unexpected durability, which pushed the fight deep into the later rounds, Rodriguez controlled the bout from start to finish. After the win, he gave himself an “A” grade in the post-fight interview, citing the execution of his game plan and achieving a stoppage. “I knew I had to make a statement,” Rodriguez said. “Cafu was tougher than expected, but I stuck to the plan and got the job done.”

Cafu’s resilience stood out, absorbing heavy shots throughout the fight and refusing to go down easily. The gritty performance only amplified the level of Rodriguez’s dominance.

With this latest win, Rodriguez continues to rise in the pound-for-pound conversation. His focus now shifts to potential blockbuster matchups — including possible unification fights with Naoya Inoue and Junto Nakatani — as he eyes challenges in higher weight classes and continues his quest for boxing greatness.