RODRIGUEZ ‘THANKFUL’ FOR ESPN FIGHTER AWARD

Published by Alejandro Ramirez

RODRIGUEZ ‘THANKFUL’ FOR ESPN FIGHTER AWARD
‘Bam’ thrilled to be named Fighter of the Year so far –
but is hungry for more in 2022
Jesse Rodriguez says he feels ‘thankful’ to be named as the Fighter of the Year by ESPN in their
midyear awards for 2022 – but the WBC World Super-Flyweight champion is not resting on his
laurels and continue his sensational year when he defends his title against Israel Gonzalez on
Saturday September 17 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, as co-main event to the trilogy
clash between Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Gennadiy ‘GGG’ Golovkin. The event, presented by
Matchroom, Canelo Promotions and GGG Promotions, will broadcast live on DAZN Pay-Per-View in
the U.S. and Canada as well as around the world on DAZN (excluding Mexico, Latin America, and
Kazakhstan).
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Rodriguez (16-0 11 KOs) has enjoyed a stellar first half of the year, starting by becoming the youngest
active World champion in February, stepping in late to meet Carlos Cuadras for the vacant WBC strap in
Phoenix and then putting on a stunning display in his first defense, stopping Thai star Srisaket Sor
Rungvisai on his San Antonio home turf in June inside eight rounds.
‘Bam’ extended his promotional pact with Eddie Hearn following the win over Rungivisai, and now
defends his title for the second time against Mexican Gonzalez (28-4-1 11 KOs), who challenges for World
honors for the fourth time in his career.
Rodriguez has begun camp at home and will relocate to Robert Garcia’s California base when his trainer
and manager returns from masterminding Anthony Joshua’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi
Arabia on August 20. The 21 year old is ready to thrill on the biggest of stages on September 17, and
believes it could be the next step in securing Fighter of the Year awards across the board.
“I’m so thankful to be named ESPN’s fighter of the year,” said Rodriguez. “My hard work and dedication
to the sport is paying off. That is why I’m able to perform the way I have been. There’s so much more to
come and I can’t wait.
“I’ll be starting my camp in San Antonio for this next fight. I’ll be here for three weeks then finish up in
Riverside at Robert Garcia Boxing Academy. Fighting so soon, I feel like I haven’t lost a beat. I’m still in
rhythm and I’ll be more than ready for Las Vegas.
“The way people have been saying I’m front runner for Fighter of the Year is motivation to get the job
done. It’s a blessing to even be mentioned with some of the greatest boxers in the sport. But come
September 17, there will be no question who it belongs to.”
Rodriguez’s achievement was one of many as Matchroom fighters and events dominated ESPN’s midyear
awards. Irish superstar Katie Taylor was named female fighter of the year following her victory
over Amanda Serrano in their epic battle at Madison Square Garden in New York in April which landed
female fight of the year nod. Leigh Wood’s dramatic final round KO win over Jamie Conlan in
Nottingham in March earned the WBA Featherweight king the KO of the year and the battle was awarded
men’s fight of the year, while Dmitry Bivol’s triumph over Canelo Alvarez in Las Vegas in May took the
gong for upset of the year.
Rodriguez’s clash with Gonzalez is part of a stacked night of action in Las Vegas, as Diego Pacheco fights
for his first pro belt when he meets Enrique Collazo for the WBC USNBC Silver Super-Middleweight title
and Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams taking on Kieron Conway for the vacant WBA International Middleweight
title, all leading into the third installment of the classic modern rivalry between Canelo and Golovkin, with
the Mexican king putting his undisputed Super-Middleweight crown on the line against Kazakhstan’s
reigning WBA and IBF Middleweight ruler in the most anticipated match up of 2022.