Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez is one of the hardest-hitting operators in the lower weight divisions, but that status could soon be challenged by an unbeaten super-flyweight contender.
Most would consider Rodriguez a top five pound-for-pound star, having made a considerable impression on both the 112 and 115lb divisions.
The two-weight world champion comes off a 10th-round finish over Fernando Martinez – unifying the WBC, WBO and WBO super-flyweight titles in November – but has also claimed notable victories over the likes of Sunny Edwards and Juan Francisco Estrada.
One man who hopes to eventually defuse the explosive technician, meanwhile, is Jack Turner, who enters his 14th professional outing on the undercard of Nick Ball vs Brandon Figueroa this Saturday.
At 24 years of age, it is still very much early days, but the ferocious puncher has nonetheless told Boxing News that a future Rodriguez clash certainly piques his interest.
“Bam’s only young, but I’m still only a baby in the sport. When the time’s right, I’d love that fight.
“I wouldn’t be in the sport if I didn’t want to fight the best – I’ll fight anyone. But yeah, hopefully I’ll get that opportunity when the time’s right.
“He’s a great fighter, a brilliant fighter, and I love watching him. I like his style, and I like studying him.
“Obviously, everyone has their good points – but everyone has their weaknesses as well.”
Turner’s most significant victories have come against Ryan Farrag, who was dealt a second-round stoppage defeat last year, and Nicolas Muguruza, a tough Argentinian who, after enjoying spells of success, was ultimately stopped in the sixth round of their encounter last August.
Clearly, the Liverpudlian carries fight-ending power which, he believes, is only becoming more decisive as his career progresses.
“Yeah, it’s getting better. Each time I fight, and in every camp, I feel like I’m hitting harder.
“It’s always good to carry that power and [the Muguruza performance] shows I can carry that power into later rounds. If you’ve got power then that’s what people want to see; they want to see knockouts.
“I’m going to take care of all these super-flyweights and smash their heads in.”
The next man at risk of getting his head smashed in is Juan Carlos Urbina, who Turner will look to demolish at Liverpool’s Echo Arena.
Elsewhere on the Queensberry Promotions card, fellow Scouser Andrew Cain threatens to make an equally destructive statement against bantamweight visitor Alejandro Gonzalez.
This, like with Rodriguez, is a fight that could become more realistic in the next year or so, especially with Turner and Cain representing the Rotunda ABC and Everton Red Triangle – two of Liverpool’s flagship gyms – respectively.
“Obviously, we’re in two different weight classes. But, for sure, that could be a fight in the future.
“We’re two Scouse lads, so it would be a massive fight.”
While an all-Liverpool clash with Cain, and indeed a legacy-defining opportunity against ‘Bam’, represent mouth-watering matchups down the line, Turner must first take care of business and extend his unbeaten record on Saturday.
