Undefeated Jesse Rodriguez stopped fellow American Antonio Vargas in the sixth round Saturday night to claim the WBA bantamweight world championship. The victory marks titles in a third weight division for Rodriguez, following previous reigns at flyweight and super flyweight.
Rodriguez secured the knockout with a straight left hand that sent Vargas to the canvas before a stunned crowd in Arizona. The win extends the 26-year-old’s professional record to 24-0 in his debut at the 118-pound limit.
This performance immediately reignited discussions regarding a matchup with unified super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue. Promoter Eddie Hearn declared a bout between the two undefeated pound-for-pound elite fighters inevitable. Hearn confirmed Rodriguez will accept the challenge if the right offer emerges, asserting his fighter remains unbeatable despite Inoue’s own perfect 33-0 record.