Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez is from San Antonio, but the pound-for-pound boxing star and super flyweight champion has quite a following in the Phoenix area.
So much so, apparently, that Rodriguez’s popularity has helped land his next fight at Glendale’s Desert Diamond Arena on June 13, 2026, the fourth fight in greater Phoenix for the undefeated Rodriguez since 2022.
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Rodriguez (23-0, 16 knockouts) is moving up in weight to fight Antonio Vargas for the WBA bantamweight title belt. Vargas (19-1-1) is the current champion but will be the underdog against Rodriguez, who has been a world champion at flyweight and super flyweight.
Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez celebrates knocking out Juan Francisco Estrada during the Matchroom Boxing Main Event at the Footprint Center. during the Matchroom Boxing Main Event at the Footprint Center on June 29, 2024, in Phoenix.
Rodriguez will be in town, having just signed a long-term contract extension with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing, the outfit announced on Friday, April 17. His fights in Glendale and downtown Phoenix have drawn crowds in excess of 10,000 fans.
Also announced for the same night, Phoenix’s Jordan Martinez will be in a rematch against Arturo Cardenas at super bantamweight. The two fought to a 10-round split-decision draw on Feb. 28 at Desert Diamond Arena.
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Martinez (16-0-1) put on a solid performance against a quality opponent in what was his first major fight card. The 17-0-2 Cardenas, from Mexico, has fought twice in the Phoenix area, once in Glendale and once at Mortgage Matchup Center, and won both.
Jordan Martinez of Phoenix walks out of the ring after his draw with Arturo Cardenas at Matchroom Boxing in Glendale on Feb. 28, 2026.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Boxing champ Rodriguez to fight for title in Glendale June 13