BAM Rodriguez vs Gonzalez – DAZN – April 8 – 7 pm ET

Boxing’s youngest World Champion Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez (17-0, 11 KOs) attempts to become a two-weight ruler when he clashes with Cristian ‘El Chicharito’ Gonzalez (15-1, 5 KOs) for the vacant WBO 112lbs at the Boeing Center at Tech Port, San Antonio.

The 23-year-old sensation from San Antonio, Texas enjoyed a stellar 2022, becoming boxing’s youngest active World Champion in February, stepping in late to meet Carlos Cuadras for the vacant WBC Super-Flyweight strap in Phoenix and then putting on a stunning display in his first defence, stopping Thai star Srisaket Sor Rungvisai on his San Antonio home turf in June inside eight rounds. He was named the Fighter of the Year by ESPN in their midyear awards for 2022 before outpointing Israel Gonzalez on the ‘Canelo’ vs. ‘GGG’ undercard in September.

Jesse Rodriguez: I’m happy to be back in the ring and do what I love to do. I have the opportunity on Saturday night to become San Antonio’s first two-weight World champion and that would make the night just that little more special.

I would have been ready to fight at 115lbs as I entered camp on weight, I just came into camp more disciplined and a little more in shape coming into camp; I’ve had a ten-week camp away from my family, so I’ve sacrificed a lot and come Saturday night it’s going to show.

WHAT TIME IS THE RODRIGUEZ VS. GONZALEZ FIGHT?

• Date: Saturday, April 8
• Time: 7 p.m. ET / 12 a.m. GMT (1 a.m. BST)
• Main event ringwalks (approx): 10 p.m. ET / 3 a.m. GMT (4 a.m. BST)
• The fight will take place at the Tech Port Arena in San Antonio, Texas.
• The card will stream live on DAZN in over 200 countries across the globe.
• The main card is set to get underway at 7 p.m. ET / 12 a.m. GMT (1 a.m. BST) with the main event ringwalks scheduled for 10 p.m. ET / 3 a.m. GMT (4 a.m. BST). T

I want to go out and show everyone I’m still ‘Bam’ Rodriguez. After my last performance, people wrote me off, so I am ready to do what I do and I’m a different person in that ring.

All the belts, all the champions at 112lbs – that’s what I want. Let’s make these fights, give the fans what they want, so step up to the plate and make it happen.

Cristian Gonzalez (fights Jesse Rodriguez): I’ve earned this opportunity and I am ready to give everything in the ring to gain this crown on Saturday night.

We’ve studied him, we understand his qualities, we’ve worked hard in camp and as a Mexican I must give everything to try to become World champion on Saturday night.

Murodjon Akhmadaliev: I’m so happy to be in Texas again, I’m ready to showcase myself and show my skills in a great fight.

Undisputed is a dream of mine that has always been there, but right now, I’m fully concentrated on this fight. I want to show a great fight with a great opponent.

Marlon Tapales (fights Murodjon Akhmadaliev): We’ve worked so hard for this fight and we’re ready. He’s a good boxer, he’s very talented but we’ve prepared well for it with good sparring.

This is so big for me and my career. I know it’s the biggest chance and my career.

Raymond Ford: I’m always ready, this is nothing new. It’s just another fight and he’s another fighter. He’s got experience, but so did my last opponent.

People act like I am not supposed to want the big fights. I’m meant to stay at this level for my whole career. All the greats go through this, fighting someone like Jessie, a former World champion, before they go to a World title, and now this is my turn for that.

I rarely take a step back now, I’m getting more comfortable in the pocket, I am not worried about getting hit. We’ve been working on a lot in camp, and I’m sparring top notch fighters, so I know I am ready for this, and these are the types of fights, we wouldn’t have taken it if not. I’ve been calling for these types of fights and these are the fights that are going to make me get up and get active.

We’re back in San Antonio, I feel like I’m the Fresh Prince of San Antonio, I love coming here and they might boo me before, but they will get to like me. I’ve come here to dominate, and that’s what I am going to do.

Me, Shakur, Keyshawn, Khalil, we’re the future of the sport, this was a great camp in Vegas and all in all, it’s going to be a good fight and I’m ready.

Jessie Magdaleno (fights Raymond Ford): This is must win, most definitely. We both said yes to this fight and we’re going to put on a great show, we might even steal the show.

It’s everything; the experience, the dog in me, the hunger I have. I’ve been through some bad times, but I am ready to let the world know who I am, and I want to show that I’m ready to be back at the top, I want nothing less than that.

Fighting for a World title is all that is in my head. Nothing less, my hand will be raised.

Thomas Mattice: I’m hungry too. I am a war, so I am ready for all of that. I’m the ‘0’ collector.

I’ve been in his shoes before, so I know that he’s coming to fight, I’ve had that spot multiple times. So, I am sure he’s trained well and is fully prepared, but I know that I have. I don’t want the judges involved on Saturday night, so you know what I am coming to do.

Ramiro Cesena (fights Thomas Mattice): like any Mexican fighter, I come ready for a war, so I hope he is, because that’s what I am bringing on Saturday night.

We always need the opportunity to show that we have the desire and hunger to become known. As a good Mexican, I feel that this is my stage to move up the levels and show what I can do.

Israil Madrimov: I’m ready, I’ve stayed in the gym for a long time to get a fight and I’m happy to be in Texas, I had a great fight here last time. I fight for my fans, my country and my family.

I asked for a World title fight for my pro debut, so I have been ready for the very biggest fights for a long time, but my only focus is Saturday’s fight.

Raphael Igbokwe (fights Israil Madrimov): I’m excited. I didn’t come here to lose, I’m very confident. I spar World champions daily like Regis Prograis, O’Shaquie Foster, Austin Trout, and taking nothing from him, I know he’s not better than those guys.

The plan is to fight for a World title. I’m not here to make up the numbers, I can feel that chance being close.

Marc Castro: I’ve got a tough opponent in front of me, he’s ready and he’s had a proper camp – and that’s what I want, a real hard fight.

The fights are won in the gym, I’ve been preparing well, and you’ll see that on Saturday night. I know that I have a great fanbase in Fresno, they back me and I’d love to bring a show to my hometown as a headliner.

Ricardo Lopez (fights Marc Castro): I’ve come here from Tijuana and I am living out my dream right now. On Saturday, I will come known throughout the world and I won’t let anyone take my food off the table – I’ll achieve my dream on Saturday.

Khalil Coe: He’s bringing a lot of power and it’s a step up and challenge for me. I had to take a step back and evaluate my situation, my team. I made some changes for the better, and you can see that I’ve been on the up.

Jesus Martinez: this camp has gone to the next level, and I believe you are going to see that on Saturday night.

I’m maturing and really looking forward to putting on a great show. I can’t wait, I’ve got a tough opponent who is coming in off a couple of wins, but that’s just going to bring the best out of me.

Rodriguez vs Gonzalez News

• Sunny Edwards on Bam Rodriguez: I Think This is The Biggest Fight For Both of Us - BoxingScene.com
• Boxing News: BAM, Sunny Kick-off Press Conference » September ... - Fight News
• Glendale will host Flyweight WBO, IBF unification bout in December ... - Daily Independent
• What time is Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez vs. Cristian Gonzalez tonight ... - dazn.com

‘BAM’ RODRIGUEZ VS. GONZALEZ CARD

• Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez vs. Cristian Gonzalez; For the vacant WBO flyweight title
• Murodjon Akhmadaliev vs. Marlon Tapales; For Akhmadaliev’s WBA/IBF junior featherweight title

First bell: 4.15pm CST – live on Before The Bell on DAZN and Matchroom’s YouTube channel

4 x 3 mins Bantamweight contest

Jesus Martinez (119.4lbs) vs. Jose Lopez (118.4lbs)
DelRio, Texas Ridgewood, New York

Followed by

6 x 3 mins Light-Heavyweight contest

Khalil Coe (175.8lbs) vs. James Quiter (174.8lbs)
Jersey City, New Jersey Oak Park, Illinois

Followed by

8 x 3 mins Lightweight contest

Marc Castro (133lbs) vs. Ricardo Lopez (133.6lbs)
Fresno, California Tijuana, Mexico

Followed by

10 x 3 mins Super-Welterweight contest

Israil Madrimov (158.8lbs) vs. Raphael Igbokwe (160lbs)
Chiva, Uzbekistan Houston, Texas

Live on DAZN from 7pm CST

10 x 3 mins WBC Continental Americas Super-Featherweight title

Thomas Mattice (129lbs) vs. Ramiro Cesena (130lbs)
Cleveland, Ohio Baja California, Mexico

Followed by

10 x 3 mins WBA Continental Americas Featherweight title

Raymond Ford (126lbs) vs. Jessie Magdaleno (126lbs)
Camden, New Jersey Las Vegas, Nevada

Followed by

12 x 3 mins WBA and IBF World Super-Bantamweight titles

Murodjon Akhmadaliev (121.6lbs) vs. Marlon Tapales (121.8lbs)
Chust, Uzbekistan Lanao del Norte, Philippines

Followed by

12 x 3 mins Vacant WBO World Flyweight title

Jesse Rodriguez (111.4lbs) vs. Cristian Gonzalez (112lbs)
San Antonio, Texas Tultitlan, Mexico