22-year-old American Jesse “American Lomachenko” Rodriguez (17-0, 11 KOs) has decided to give up the WBC super flyweight title (up to 52.2 kg). The fighter will return to his native weight – the lightest (up to 50.8 kg).
It is expected that Rodoiguez will soon fight for the WBO belt, because the current champion of the organization, the Japanese Junto Nakatani, will make his debut in 52.2 kg in early November in a fight against the seasoned Mexican Francisco Rodriguez – this fight was in our top 10 main fights of November 2022 in boxing: Bivol – Ramirez, Zepeda – Prograis and the unification we dreamed of.
Rodriguez’s plans are not just to conquer the second weight division, but to collect the rest of the division’s belts. First of all, he is interested in the WBC champion Mexican Julio Cesar Martinez and the IBF champion Briton Sunny Edwards.
Rodriguez did not mention the owner of the WBA Super belt, Ukrainian Artyom Dalakyan. However, he must first give battle to his mandatory challenger.
In February 2022, Rodriguez decided to immediately move up two weight categories and fight for the vacant WBC 52.2 kg belt with ex-champion from Mexico Carlos Cuadras – he beat the decision of the judges. Then the ex-pounder Srisaket Sor Rungvisai from Thailand was delayed.
Rodriguez is often compared to former lightweight hegemon Ukrainian Vasily Lomachenko for his attacking combinational style, footwork, and angles of attack.
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