Rodriguez vs. Vargas – Live updates, round-by-round coverage
After a card filled with in-ring commotions and over-the-top ring walks, fight fans can now tune in to a main event that highlights boxing for boxing’s sake.
Counterpunch master Antonio Vargas puts his WBA world bantamweight title on the line against the undefeated Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez, who is ranked no. 4 in The Ring Magazine pound-for-pound rankings.
A win by Vargas would go a long way in establishing respect within the industry. But, if Bam lives up to his status as heavy favorite, he could be calling out pound-for-pound king Naoya Inoue in the middle of the ring.
Stay tuned to ALL-STAR for live updates and round-by-round coverage of this world title fight.
Final Thoughts
Props to Antonio Vargas for hanging in there as long as he did. I had him winning the first four rounds, but when Bam loaded up on that left hand, his power advantage sealed the deal. Still, hats off to Vargas for his toughness and his technical prowess.
Now, onto the post-fight stuff. I may have put too much stock into the hype for Rodriguez vs. Inoue, but still, I can’t deny that Bam’s lack of a call-out slightly knocked the wind out of my sails. I think the crowd in Glendale was groaning as well when Rodriguez didn’t challenge Inoue right there and then.
If anyone can provide a good enough reason to continue delaying that elite pound-for-pound showdown, I’d love to hear it. But I say, let’s not take the greatness of “The Monster” and the newly crowned three-division champion for granted. Let’s make it happen before the fates take it away from us.
That’s a wrap for ALL-STAR’s double-header on this lovely Sunday. Tune in next week for another double-header, including a world title fight involving a General Santos native. Let’s go, Joey!
Come On Bam, That Was Anticlimactic
When Chris Mannix asked Rodriguez if he’s ready for the Naoya Inoue fight next, he basically said:
“I’m ready for whoever, whenever.”
No direct call out? No dream fight set-up in front of a live crowd?
Come on, Bam.
Eddie Hearn added that the Bam vs. Inoue fight will happen “if the offer is right.” Is Bam better off staying at 118 pounds before he finally takes on “The Monster?”
I feel like we’re overthinking this. Give us what we want, boxing!
Here’s the First Knockdown
Masterful left hook from Rodriguez right here. This southpaw is absolutely lethal.
Rodriguez vs. Vargas: Round 6
The replays show that it was a left hook from Bam that knocked Vargas down. AND VARGAS IS DOWN AGAIN!!!
The referee has called it off. Bam Rodriguez is your new WBA bantameight champion of the world.
Rodriguez vs. Vargas: Round 5
Vargas goes down!!! Bam is now going for the kill. Vargas is up against the ropes now. Bam now landing those lefts more consistently. He smells the blood, and he’s really going for it, landing those nasty hooks. Credit to Vargas for staying on his feet and still throwing those punches. Bam looks like he ran out of steam at the end of that round, but chapter 5 definitely goes to Rodriguez.
Rodriguez vs. Vargas: Round 4
It appears that Vargas has a slight reach advantage that he’s capitalizing on thus far. His hand speed is crazy, and he’s throwing those body shots and uppercuts with impunity. Even when they get up close, though, Vargas isn’t afraid to engage. Bam’s offense is more sporadic than free-flowing. We may have underestimated Vargas’ defense, on the other hand. That’ll be 10-9 Vargas for me.
Rodriguez vs. Vargas: Round 3
Vargas continues to put pressure on Bam. Those jabs are going straight through Rodriguez’s face. Bam continues to find angles, but his accuracy has taken a dip. That’ll be 10-9 Vargas for me.
Rodriguez vs. Vargas: Round 2
I guess Bam isn’t bleeding after all. But Vargas looks very confident with his forward movement. Bam is now finding those angles. Vargas is closing the gap. Nasty 1-2 combo by Bam. Ironically, it’s Bam putting on the counterpunching clinic against Vargas. Left hook from Vargas stops Bam’s momentum a bit. Meanwhile, Vargas continues to be aggressive. He’s getting tagged by Bam, but his chin is showing toughness. Both fighters are landing strong lefts! That strong flurry at the end may have sealed the deal for Vargas. For me, he gets this round 10-9. Awesome round!
Rodriguez vs. Vargas: Round 1
Even with the ring introductions, Vargas goes first. Let’s see if that fires him up. It’s a clash of styles as the orthodox Vargas squares up against the southpaw Bam. Vargas looking to engage Bam early on, but Rodriguez won’t be outdone. Vargas’ midsection is a bit exposed, but his inside game is getting going here. He’s landing jabs cleanly. Is Bam bleeding from his nose this early?? Vargas is keeping Bam at bay with those jabs, then he’s firing off those combinations. I give that 10-9 to Vargas.
Rodriguez vs. Vargas: The Ring Walks Are Here
Vargas is coming out to the ring first. I think that’s disrespectful to the WBA bantamweight champion of the world, but oh well. Here comes Bam doing his ring walk while a rapper (I don’t know his name) drops some verses on the mic.
Rodriguez vs. Vargas: What Happened in the Undercard?
There were three fights that took place ahead of Rodriguez vs. Vargas. Here are the results of this undercard:
WBC Continental Americas Super Bantamweight Championship
Arturo Cardenas def. Jordan Martinez by unanimous decision
IBF Lightweight Championship
Elif Nur Turhan def. Gabriela Tullez by unanimous decision
Lightweight
Elias Montoya Terraza def. Adrian Rodriguez via second-round TKO
Bam Has Well-Educated Hands
I wrote in my preview that Bam is proficient in finding angles to land solid shots at his opponent. News flash: The numbers back this up.
San Antonio Represent
Rodriguez is a San Antonio native. He’s fighting Vargas in Glendale, Arizona tonight, but back in his hometown, there’s a sports event scheduled to take place in less than an hour.
The question is, will San Antonio celebrate one or two victories before the strike of midnight? Or will this evening mark a monumental loss in the four-sided ring or the hardcourt?
I shudder to think what would happen if Victor Wembanyama takes to boxing…
Rodriguez vs. Vargas: What Happened at the Weigh-In?
Both fighters clocked in at 117.6 pounds ahead of their main event bout. Great to know that Rodriguez and Vargas made weight!
