Jesse Rodriguez said he was ‘so happy’ with his victory over Carlos Cuadras to become the WBC super flyweight champion.
The 22-year-old had been touted as an emerging fighter to track but is perhaps ahead of his expected schedule after he jumped up two divisions for his first shot at a title.
Fighting at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Rodriguez (15-0, 10 KOs), was a late replacement for Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, who dropped out due to non-Covid related illness.
Despite the weight gap he was powerful enough to send Cuadras to the canvas in the third round with a striking uppercut blow and cruised to a unanimous judges decision, 117-110, 117-110 and 115-112.
Speaking after the fight, Rodriguez acknowledged the step up in quality but was delighted to find he had the reserves to win.
"That was a tough ass fight," Rodriguez admitted.
"He brought out a Jesse Rodriguez I didn't know was in me, I'm so happy. I knew it was going to be a tough fight, he's a true warrior, I thought I was going to get him out of there but he's so strong."