Jesse Rodriguez has now vacated his super-flyweight world titles ahead of his bantamweight debut.
‘Bam’ Rodriguez had picked up three of the four major titles at 115lbs and previously said it was his goal to become undisputed. Ahead of facing Antonio Vargas this weekend in Glendale, Arizona, he has vacated the belts, as revealed by trainer Robert Garcia.
Letters to all 3 organizations were sent out in the last couple of weeks
— Robert Garcia Boxing (@GarciaBoxing) June 9, 2026
The WBC has also confirmed the move in a statement, praising the young champion.
“Following the official announcement of undefeated American boxer Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodríguez moving up in weight, the World Boxing Council formally declares the organisation’s world super flyweight championship vacant. The WBC expresses its most sincere gratitude to Rodríguez for being a dignified and proud ambassador of the Green and Gold colours, wishing him the absolute best of success in his career.”
Rodriguez beat Carlos Cuadras for the vacant WBC belt at 115lbs in 2022. He vacated after two defences to drop down to flyweight, becoming unified IBF and WBA champion before moving back up to recapture the WBC against Juan Francisco Estrada.
The 26-year-old added the super-flyweight WBO strap to his collection by beating Phumelele Cafu in July last year, and stopped Fernando Martínez – the 16th knockout of his campaign – for the WBA in November.
Had Rodriguez remained at super-flyweight, a clash with new IBF champion Andrew Moloney would have been the final step towards undisputed status. The opportunities at bantamweight, coupled with the freedom of no longer having to make 115lbs, were clearly too good to turn down.
In the 115 ranks, top contenders like Tomoya Tsuboi, Kenshiro Teraji and Sikho Nqothole will be well-placed for vacant title shots.
This weekend, ‘Bam’ challenges Vargas for the WBA bantamweight belt, with a win earning him three-division championship status and teeing up another move up against super-bantamweight king Naoya Inoue next year.
