22-year-old American Jesse “American Lomachenko” Rodriguez (17-0, 11 KOs), who recently suddenly refused the WBC championship belt in the second flyweight (up to 52.2 kg), will immediately attempt to conquer the flyweight division (up to 50, 8 kg).
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WBO decided that Rodriguez would fight the Mexican Christian Gonzalez (15-1, 5 KOs) for the vacant belt, which was previously owned by the Japanese Junto Nakatani (24-0, 14 KOs) – he had already risen in weight and even made his debut fight in a new category.
As expected, the organization satisfied Nakatani’s request – he was promoted to super champion, which allowed him to immediately qualify for a title fight in the new weight in the status of a mandatory contender.
Nakatani will wait for the winner of the unification fight between the current WBO champion in 52.2 kg compatriot Kazuto Yoka (29-2, 15 KOs) and WBA American champion Joshua Franco (18-1-2, 8 KOs) – the older brother of Jesse Rodriguez. This fight will take place on December 31 in Japan.
Rodriguez became the “American Lomachenko” with the light hand of the local commentators. They previously often compared the fighter with the ex-lightweight hegemon Ukrainian Vasily Lomachenko – very similar stylistically.
In October, Vasily was asked about “American Lomachenko”. The Ukrainian liked Rodriguez.
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