The only absolute regarding Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez’s next fight is that it won’t be for the undisputed crown.
Beyond that, the field is wide open for the reigning lineal, RING and unified 115lbs champion.
BoxingScene has learned that San Antonio’s Rodriguez, 23-0 (16 KOs) is likely to return to the ring in June. Despite online speculation (largely born from social media rumors) that he will next face WBA 118lbs titlist Antonio Vargas, the fight is just one of several options on the table for the high-ranking pound-for-pound entrant.
A move to bantamweight for his next bout is a strong likelihood, though it could just be a one-off, as the primary goal remains to win that fourth chip at junior bantamweight. Rodriguez holds the WBA, WBC and WBO belts at the weight. He regained the WBC belt in a June 2024, off-the-canvas 7th round knockout of long-reigning champion Juan "Francisco" Estrada. His two fights in 2025 saw Rodriguez and the WBO and WBA titles, in succession, with stoppage victories over then-unbeaten titlists Phumelela Cafu and Fernando Martinez.
The only outstanding title is the IBF belt, held by Mexico’s Willibaldo Garcia, 23-6-2 (13 KOs) who is bound to a mandatory title defense versus Australia’s Andrew Moloney, 28-4 (14 KOs).
A firm date was not yet announced, though BoxingScene has learned that the fight is very likely to take place on April 18 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Event co-promoter Kameda Promotions won the purse bid for Garcia-Moloney and plans to stage the fight as part of the three-day April 17-19) SAIKOU x LUSH boxing festival.
Meanwhile, Rodriguez needs to keep the line moving as the only option not presently being explored is waiting out the winner without an interim fight.
A move up in weight to become a three-division titlists makes sense, given that Matchroom Boxing has promotional ties to two of the four major titleholders at the weight.
Matchroom entered a co-promotional deal with Orlando’s Vargas, 19-1-1 (11 KOs) and Boxlab Promotions last summer and also inked WBO 118lbs titleholder Christian Medina, 26-4 (19 KOs) earlier this year. Medina is co-promoted by BXSTRS, who also has recently crowned IBF beltholder Jose Salas. 17-0 (11 KOs).
Takuma Inoue, 21-2 (5 KOs) holds the WBC title but is already booked for a dangerous May 2 title defense versus former four-division titlist Kazuto Ioka, 32-4-1 (17 KOs) in Tokyo.
Vargas and Medina are both as much of an option for Rodriguez’s next fight, as is one more title defense at 115lbs in lieu of a move up in weight.
If the decision is to move up in weight, BoxingScene has learned that the preference from those hoping to piece together the fights would be for Rodriguez to face Vargas and for BXSTRS to match together Medina and Salas on a show in Mexico. From there, the winners could face each other.
Of course, that path – if taken immediately - would all but kill Rodriguez’s chances to fully unify at 115lbs, as he’d have to give up at least one belt at some point.
For now, the plan is to get Rodriguez back in the ring within the first half of 2026 – and with the hope of then fighting for undisputed before the year and his stay at 115lbs both come to an end.
