The Rise of Bam Rodriguez Threatens Japan's Hold of Super Fly, Bantamweight
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 03 Jul 2024
Bam Rodriguez looking to finish Estrada.
Japan currently holds two of the major belts at super flyweight and all four championships at bantamweight. Potentially, it could be three at superfly with WBA titlist Kazuto Ioka fighting IBF champion Fernando Martinez in a unification on July 7 in Japan.
However, an ominous threat has risen from the West with the ascendance of Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez who recently won the WBC super flyweight belt by 7th round knockout of long time champion Juan Francisco Estrada. After the bout, Rodriguez expressed his intent to unify all belts at 115 lbs.
And possibly move up to the bantamweights afterwards.
This coupled with Estrada possibly making the long overdue move up to the bantamweight and Mexican bomber Julio Cesar Martinez as well as UK's fine boxer Sunny Edwards joining the fray at super flyweight and it looks like the Japanese hegemony at 115 to 118 lbs class is in real danger. Regardless if Ioka wins his unification versus Martinez this Saturday as that would only make Bam Rodriguez's quest to unify most if not all major belts at 115 lbs all the more easier.
Kosei Tanaka holds the WBO crown but he is considered as the weakest of the current titlists. Fact is, either of Mexico's JC Martinez or UK's Edwards would pose a solid threat if given the opportunity.
Uneasy also rests the crowns of at least two of Japan's world titlists at bantamweight namely Ryosuke Niida and Yoshiki Takei if Estrada makes the long overdue move to 118 lbs and gets the chance to fight any of them this year. Once Bam Rodriguez follows suit, even Takuma Inoue is not safe.
That is the quality of much improved opposition in these weight classes which became possible with the recent movements of top class fighters from the West all the way from the flyweights where Japan is lucky to crown only one titlist-- Seigo Yuri Akui-- in years. Given the current opposition at 112 lbs. Akui is not seen to last long.
The motivation of Bam Rodriguez and possibly many other top fighters from the West to move up to these divisions mostly ruled by Japanese champions is likewise fed by the rise of Japan as a high paying boxing destination.
Be that as it may, the UK has also shown its capability to hold high paying world championship fights in the lower weights. So does Saudi Arabia which is rising as the newest boxing capital of Asia.
Hence Japanese champions cannot always depend on the advantage of defending at home.
The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
OLYMPIC BOXING 4: 1924 OLYMPICS AT PARIS, FRANCE
By Maloney L. Samaco, Tue, 02 Dec 2025Cebuana Lhuillier-Backed UTP National Team Shines at 40th Penang Open, Captures Multiple Titles
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 02 Dec 2025WBC 63th Annual Convention Opens in Bangkok
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 02 Dec 2025Undefeated Brooklyn heavyweight prospect Pryce Taylor closing out a strong 2026
Tue, 02 Dec 2025USA Boxing Announces Partnership with Xempower USA
Tue, 02 Dec 2025THE RING 6: TEOFIMO-SHAKUR SET FOR JANUARY SHOWDOWN IN NEW YORK
Tue, 02 Dec 2025Undefeated Middleweight Dante Kirkman Set to Return December 11 in Costa Mesa
Tue, 02 Dec 2025Dejon Farrell Francis Turning Things Around
Tue, 02 Dec 2025WBC Light Heavyweight Champion David 'The Mexican Monster' Benavidez Excited About History-Making Cinco De Mayo Showdown with Gilberto Ramirez
Tue, 02 Dec 2025PPV.COM RETURNS TO THE RING LIVE STREAMING ALL-ACTION TITLE TILT ISAAC "PITBULL" CRUZ vs. LAMONT ROACH, JR
Tue, 02 Dec 2025Llover Eyes Winner of Salas-Ngexeke IBF Title Duel in Mexico
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 01 Dec 2025Jimuel draws in pro debut
By Joaquin Henson, Mon, 01 Dec 2025Kevin Durant sets new NBA record
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Mon, 01 Dec 2025LAZARO LORENZANA CAPTURES WBC REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE OVER LUIS ARIAS
Sun, 30 Nov 2025Paras fails bid for IBO world super fly title
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 30 Nov 2025