Philippines, 18 Sep 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


The Rise of Bam Rodriguez Threatens Japan's Hold of Super Fly, Bantamweight


PhilBoxing.com



Bam Rodriguez looking to finish Estrada.

Japan currently holds two of the major belts at super flyweight and all four championships at bantamweight. Potentially, it could be three at superfly with WBA titlist Kazuto Ioka fighting IBF champion Fernando Martinez in a unification on July 7 in Japan.

However, an ominous threat has risen from the West with the ascendance of Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez who recently won the WBC super flyweight belt by 7th round knockout of long time champion Juan Francisco Estrada. After the bout, Rodriguez expressed his intent to unify all belts at 115 lbs.

And possibly move up to the bantamweights afterwards.

This coupled with Estrada possibly making the long overdue move up to the bantamweight and Mexican bomber Julio Cesar Martinez as well as UK's fine boxer Sunny Edwards joining the fray at super flyweight and it looks like the Japanese hegemony at 115 to 118 lbs class is in real danger. Regardless if Ioka wins his unification versus Martinez this Saturday as that would only make Bam Rodriguez's quest to unify most if not all major belts at 115 lbs all the more easier.

Kosei Tanaka holds the WBO crown but he is considered as the weakest of the current titlists. Fact is, either of Mexico's JC Martinez or UK's Edwards would pose a solid threat if given the opportunity.

Uneasy also rests the crowns of at least two of Japan's world titlists at bantamweight namely Ryosuke Niida and Yoshiki Takei if Estrada makes the long overdue move to 118 lbs and gets the chance to fight any of them this year. Once Bam Rodriguez follows suit, even Takuma Inoue is not safe.

That is the quality of much improved opposition in these weight classes which became possible with the recent movements of top class fighters from the West all the way from the flyweights where Japan is lucky to crown only one titlist-- Seigo Yuri Akui-- in years. Given the current opposition at 112 lbs. Akui is not seen to last long.

The motivation of Bam Rodriguez and possibly many other top fighters from the West to move up to these divisions mostly ruled by Japanese champions is likewise fed by the rise of Japan as a high paying boxing destination.

Be that as it may, the UK has also shown its capability to hold high paying world championship fights in the lower weights. So does Saudi Arabia which is rising as the newest boxing capital of Asia.

Hence Japanese champions cannot always depend on the advantage of defending at home.

The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • “Thrilla” card takes shape
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Wishing Best to Jayson Vayson in his World Title Challenge!
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Vayson aims to make history
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • KAIPO GALLEGOS TRAINING CAMP NOTES
    , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Day Two of 2025 USA Boxing National Open Delivers 108 Action-Packed Bouts in Tulsa
    , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Bryce Mills Boxes James Bernadin At del Lago Resort & Casino On Thursday, Oct. 30, in Waterloo, NY
    , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Caribbean Clash Returns Friday, November 7th at Gulfstream Park Casino in Hallandale, Florida
    , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • VM Sotto, City Council Recognize GM Joey Antonio
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Larida is Southern Coach of the Year
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • D.C. Knockout Artist Scooter Davis Signs Promotional Contract with Top Rank
    , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 15 SEPTEMBER 2025: Crawford Snatches Canelo's Undisputed Crown at 168 Lbs; Inoue Defeats Akhmadliev to Retain 4 Superbantam Belts; Crocker Outpoints Donovan
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • TICKET NEWS: EUBANK JR-BENN II ON SALE FROM THIS WEDNESDAY
    , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • “Night of Champions” Returns to Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando on September 19
    , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • Canelo-Crawford: The Consolidation of Boxing’s New Commercial Empire
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • A New Era for Boxing: Canelo vs. Crawford Shatters Global Viewership Records on Netflix
    By Dong Secuya, , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • Crawford Not the First Lightweight to Distinguish Himself at Super Middleweight
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • Kurt Scoby and Josh Popper Headline Boxing Insider Card September 19 in Times Square
    , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • Green and Gold 2025: Amateur Boxing’s International Gathering in Bolivia
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • Pakistan's Sameer Khan Set to Battle for UBO Youth World Title in Brico Santig’s Sep 27 Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 16 Sep 2025
  • SAMBO Pilipinas is Southern NSA of the Year 2025
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 16 Sep 2025
  • Kingsley “The Black Lion” Ibeh To headline historic “Legacy Nights” Inaugural Pro Boxing event in El Salvador
    , Tue, 16 Sep 2025
  • Smarts over power
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 16 Sep 2025
  • HALL OF FAME FLIES FLAGS AT HALF-STAFF FOR TWO-DIVISION CHAMPION RICKY HATTON
    , Tue, 16 Sep 2025
  • Kazakhstan tops the medal table at the inaugural World Boxing Championships 2025 thanks to victory in the final bout of the competition
    , Tue, 16 Sep 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 13: JOE FRAZIER’S HUMBLE BEGINNINGS AS AN AMATEUR FIGHTER
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Mon, 15 Sep 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.