Bam Rodriguez vs. Estrada: Can Youth Triumph Over Experience?
PHOENIX – Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez, an unbeaten two-division champion, is set to face veteran WBC junior bantamweight titleholder Juan Francisco Estrada on Saturday at the Saitama Super Arena in Japan. While many fighters today rely on self-promotion and trash talk, Rodriguez prefers to let his actions in the ring speak for themselves.
Rodriguez, 24, has been relatively quiet on social media, contrasting with the likes of controversial fighter Ryan Garcia, who has been very active online. Rodriguez's focus remains on his training and performance rather than social media hype.
“I just mind my business and do the work I’m supposed to, and that shows on fight night,” Rodriguez said in a recent interview. “I don’t have to go on social media and make a [reel] or whatever they do on there. I just like to work my ass off and show it on fight night.”
To prepare for Estrada, Rodriguez’s trainer, Robert Garcia, brought in Nicaraguan legend Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez for several weeks of sparring. Rodriguez gained valuable insights from Gonzalez, who has fought Estrada three times.
Rodriguez explained, “Everyone says they had the best camp ever, but I sparred with ‘Chocolatito’ – he’s been in there with Estrada three times, so no one knows Estrada better than Chocolatito. To gain that knowledge from him makes me that much of a better fighter, so coming into this fight I’m more ready than ever.”
During his final training session, Rodriguez demonstrated his dedication by completing a timed 30-round workout, including mittwork, heavy-bag punching, and shadowboxing. His footwork and leg strength, honed by years of rigorous training, were evident as he moved with ease and precision.
Rodriguez acknowledges the challenge that Estrada, 34, poses. “My youth,” Rodriguez said, is a critical advantage. “There’s a 10-year gap in my advantage. He’s been in a lot of wars. He’s not as fresh as he was at my age. I haven’t taken the punches he has. So I’ll be the fresher fighter, and that will play out in the later rounds, I believe.”
Despite his confidence, Rodriguez remains respectful of Estrada’s experience. “He’s a legend. He’s been in there with the best of the best. He has a lot of experience, a great record. All things I respect. I’m expecting the best Estrada – whether he’s the Estrada of back then or Estrada now.”
Rodriguez’s ultimate motivation is his daughter, Mila, born just before his training camp began. “It’s all about her,” Rodriguez said. “Anything that comes out of boxing is for her to live a better life.”
As Rodriguez prepares for this significant bout, he envisions his victory with quiet confidence. “Going into a fight, I always see my hand raised – in a humble way. It’s not arrogance or cocky. I’m just that confident.”
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