Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez explained why he will not fight Roman "Chocolatito" Gonzalez next.
Rodriguez is now unified champion at flyweight after protecting his unbeaten record and taking the IBF strap off the previously undefeated Sunny Edwards on Saturday night.
As one of the very biggest names in the lower weights, attention immediately turned to who the 23-year-old might take on next.
One option is 115lb WBC champion Juan Franciso Estrada, but he won’t entertain a match-up with Chocolatito.
“People always ask that. There is a lot of respect between me and Chocolatito,” Rodriguez said in his post-fight press conference, reported BoxingScene.com.
“Mr. Honda [head of Teiken Promotions, who promotes both fighters], I don’t think he would like that too much.
“Every time people ask me that, I just say I don’t think it’s a possibility. It is a great fight, the respect is there between us. Estrada is a great champion too and I believe that’s an even bigger fight.”
Estrada reportedly was unimpressed by Saturday’s performance, and Rodriguez responded: “He always has something to say about my performances.
“He claims that I’m a hype job and I’m not as good as people say. Why not get inside the ring with me and prove it to the people?”
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