Jesse Rodriguez was already in line to compete for more gold before his fight in Texas against Phumelele Cafu. Recently, fighters who made plans ahead of time haven't have good luck against the opposition right in front of them.
"Bam" isn't like others.
Rodriguez (22-0) beat Cafu (11-1-3) to win the WBO super flyweight title. It took about 10 rounds and multiple body shots to get the job done. He now holds the WBC, WBO, and Ring belts.
The announcers through the fight said it perfectly: Cafu was competing with, not beating, Rodriguez.
Cafu stated he would move forward heading into the fight, but he was forced into the corner various times. Rodriguez landed combinations as Cafu was on his back foot. The latter wanted to land counter rights and lefts that would drop Rodriguez. Unfortunately for him, Rodriguez was calculating with his shots.
The left hook of Cafu halted Rodriguez from finding angles at the start. The former tried to hurt the body of Rodriguez, who continued to press forward. Rodriguez landed a few rights, followed by beautiful combinations. His shots showed why he is considered a pound-for-pound star.
Rodriguez was forced to adjust through the fight, as Cafu was providing damage the former wasn't used to, including big rights. He even credited Cafu as being his toughest opponent to date. However, "Bam" brushed it all off.
Body shots landed from both fighters in the corner in round four. They tried to soften the other up. Rodriguez's were short and sweet. Cafu looked hurt as Rodriguez pressed forward. The former put his guard down, helping Rodriguez's offense.
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Rodriguez's footwork was impressive, as it looked like he was gliding from one move to the next. He was dancing, and Cafu was the perfect partner as he also landed clean shots. Rodriguez provided pressure in the eighth, landing combinations. At that point, Cafu's feet were tired.
Rodriguez picked things up in the ninth, still controlling the ring. Cafu's legs buckled from combinations, and Rodriguez, like a shark, smelled blood and went on the attack. Cafu got brutalized by a body shot in the 10th. The referee allowed Cafu to try to get back into it, but his corner knew he had had enough and stopped the fight.
HUGE RIGHT HAND by BAM to SEAL IT IN ROUND 10 😤⚔️#RodriguezCafu | Live NOW on DAZN pic.twitter.com/MQY13OzBQO
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) July 20, 2025
Rodriguez landed 218 of 610 shots (36%), while Cafu landed 144 of 468 (31%).
Up next for Rodriguez: WBA champion Fernando Daniel Martinez in November.
It's Rodriguez's second stint at super flyweight after moving from the division to flyweight and back. Outside of title fights within his own division, Rodriguez has interest in facing Naoya Inoue.
The Sporting News provided results from the entire Rodriguez vs. Cafu fight card.
Jesse Rodriguez vs. Phumelele Cafu full card results
- Jesse Rodriguez (c) def. Phumelele Cafu (c) via TKO for the WBC, WBO, and Ring super flyweight titles (2:07 into round ten)
- Diego Pacheco def. Trevor McCumby via unanimous decision (120-108, 119-109, 119-109)
- Austin Williams def. Ivan Vazquez via TKO (0:36 into round nine)
- Omari Jones def. Alfredo Rodolfo Blanco via TKO (round three)
- Pablo Valdez def. Robert Redmond Jr. via KO (round three)
- Nishant Dev def. LaQuan Evans via TKO (round six)
- Hector Beltran def. Edgar Gutierrez via TKO (round three)