GLENDALE, Ariz. — WBO flyweight champion Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez will try to unify the belts when he meets undefeated Sunny Edwards for the IBF title on December 16, at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
Both Rodriguez(18-0, 11 KOs) from Texas, U.S. and Edwards(20-0, 4 KOs) from England are unbeaten, at the top of their game, and on the verge of becoming known as some of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters in the world. But only one will be declared the winner.
“This fight is going to be exciting. The sky is the limit for me; anybody, anywhere. He’s a very good fighter, very technical, very skillful, fast, smart. I knew one day down the line we would meet up and here it is. He hasn’t been in with someone with the skills I have, and with the power on top of that. I don’t care what it takes, I’m going to win, I’m taking his belt, and I’m taking his ‘0’. I’m going to knock him out,” said Rodriguez in media reports.
In April, the 23-year-old Rodriguez defeated Cristian Gonzalez Hernandez via unanimous decision to claim the vacant WBO title. But the victory came at a price: during the battle, Rodriguez broke his jaw, necessitating surgery.
“My jaw feels good. It’s a little numb but the doctor said it would be like that for a while. I’m felt a little crack and then my ear started ringing so I knew something was up. I was able to bear it and finish the fight. I didn’t enjoy the win. I went straight to the hospital and got surgery on the Monday, and then I was on the six-week diet, strictly pudding, smoothies, milkshakes, whatever I could eat without chewing was what I was on, but as long as I’ve got my coffee, I’m good,” said Rodriguez.
Edwards, 27, intends to attempt a fifth title defense. In the year 2021, he defeated Moruti Mthalane to win the 112-pound IBF title. He defeated Andres Campos via unanimous decision in March.
“I’m here for a good time, not a long time, I feel like I have what it takes to not only drop him but to finish the fight early,” added Rodriguez.
