July 20, 2025 | Bestreams Boxing
Main Event Recap: 10th-Round TKO Caps Electric Evening
Under the bright lights of the Comerica Center in Frisco, Texas, unbeaten phenom Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez (22-0, 15 KOs) authored the signature performance of his young career, stopping previously undefeated Phumelela Cafu (11-1-3, 7 KOs) at 2:07 of the 10th round to unify the WBC and WBO junior-santamweight championships.
It was the first U.S. appearance for South Africa’s Cafu, and from the opening bell he showed why he had never been beaten. Yet Rodriguez’s blend of volume punching, angle changes and relentless body work gradually broke the challenger down, culminating in a vicious two-fisted assault that forced Cafu’s corner to throw in the towel and save their man from further punishment.
Round-by-Round Snapshot
| Round | Key Moments | Scoring Momentum |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3 | Rodriguez establishes jab, digs to body; Cafu lands sharp counters | Rodriguez edges early sessions |
| 4-6 | Cafu finds home with looping rights; Rodriguez responds with 4-punch bursts | Even, competitive |
| 7-9 | Rodriguez ups output to 100+ punches per round; Cafu’s legs stiffen | Rodriguez pulling away |
| 10 | Rodriguez traps Cafu on ropes, lands 18 unanswered shots → towel in at 2:07 | TKO victory |
Punch Stats Tell the Story
Rodriguez’s 218-144 edge in total punches landed was the widest margin of his career, but the quality of those blows mattered more than quantity:
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Power punches: Rodriguez 158 of 329 (48%); Cafu 89 of 241 (37%)
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Body shots: Rodriguez landed 72, visibly sapping Cafu’s movement
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Final three rounds: Rodriguez out-landed Cafu 88-32, per CompuBox
Post-Fight Soundbites
Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez – now WBC & WBO champion
“Tonight was about legacy. I knew Cafu was undefeated for a reason—he’s tough, smart and awkward. But we prepared for 12 hard rounds and I executed the plan better than ever. This might be my best performance to date.”
“Next step? I want all the belts. Fernando Martinez has the WBA, and that’s the fight I’m chasing. Let’s make it happen before the year is out.”
Phumelela Cafu
“No excuses. Rodriguez was the better man. The body shots slowed me down more than I expected. I’ll be back—this is just chapter one of my journey in the States.”
What the Win Means for the 115-Pound Division
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Unification complete – Rodriguez joins Juan Francisco Estrada and Román González as the only men in the four-belt era to hold multiple junior-bantamweight straps.
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Path to undisputed – With the IBF belt currently vacant, a Rodriguez vs. Fernando Martinez (WBA) clash would crown the division’s first undisputed champion since 2005.
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Pound-for-pound ascent – At 25, Rodriguez enters most top-10 P4P lists and becomes the youngest unified titleholder in boxing.
Undercard Highlights
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Middleweight – Israil Madrimov UD10 Magomed Kurbanov (WBA eliminator)
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Super-Featherweight – Eduardo “Rocky” Hernandez KO6 O’Shaquie Foster (upset of the year candidate)
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Women’s Flyweight – Seneisa Estrada TKO4 Tina Rupprecht (retains WBA belt)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Why did Cafu’s corner stop the fight?
Trainer Colin Nathan explained that Cafu had taken sustained punishment for three consecutive rounds. “His legs were gone and he wasn’t punching back. Better one loss today than a damaged career tomorrow.”
Q2: Where does Rodriguez rank at 115 lbs?
Most outlets now place him #1, leapfrogging former lineal king Juan Francisco Estrada. The only missing piece is the WBA title held by Martinez.
Q3: What’s next for Cafu?
Expect a rebuilding fight in South Africa before a potential return to U.S. television. Promoter Rodney Berman mentioned late-2025 dates in Johannesburg or Durban.
Q4: Will Rodriguez-Martinez happen in 2025?
Both camps expressed interest, but purse splits and venue (Las Vegas vs. San Antonio) remain sticking points. The WBA has ordered negotiations to conclude within 30 days.
The Bottom Line
Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez didn’t just win—he arrived on boxing’s biggest stage. A calculated dismantling of an unbeaten rival, a raucous Texas crowd, and a clear path to undisputed glory: Saturday night in Frisco will be remembered as the evening the 115-pound division crowned its newest superstar.