What happens when you stand across from your idol in the boxing ring? Isn’t it a dream come true? Well, for most, it is. But not for Jesse Rodriguez, who has to brush aside Juan Francisco Estrada in a high-stakes fight. It is the epitome of ‘idols becoming rivals,’ as the American boxer prepares to dislodge the most decorated 115-pound fighter and snatch his throne. Can he really do it and usher the division into a new dawn?

Besides glory, careers are at stake when Estrada and Rodriguez close off the Matchroom event on June 29 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix. On one hand is the fan-favorite, the reigning WBC champion in Estrada, and the future Hall of Famer. Challenging him is Bam Rodriguez, who has carved out a reputation for slaying champions recently. Will he build on this and add Estrada to the list of his victims? Before we cast a verdict on it, let’s have a look at how the two stack up before their showdown.

Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez: Tale of the Tape

If you sit down to list the greatest flyweights in history, you will invariably put Estrada toward the top spots. The 34-year-old boxer has shattered numerous records with ease and dismantled opponents. And after putting his body on the line for 16 years, he holds a splendid record of 44-3 with 28 KOs. What’s more? The 5’4″ (163 cm)-tall orthodox boxer has become a household name among fans because of his well-rounded boxing skills. He knows how to put on a show for them, and his KO ratio of 63% also bolsters his image as a fan-friendly fighter. The Mexican champion utilizes his reach of 66″ (168 cm) to unload his heavy punches and unleash punishment on his opponents.

But can the WBC super flyweight champion fend off the rapidly surging, younger challenger in Bam Rodriguez? ‘Bam’, at 24, is already making waves in the flyweight division with his technical prowess and his well-executed game plans. His spotless record of 19-0 with 12 KOs also screams that he can be the enforcer in the future at 115 and hold sway over the fans. Interestingly, the former unified flyweight champion has an identical KO ratio of 63% to Estrada. What are the odds of it? And that’s not the end of it.

Rodriguez also has the same measurements and stands tall at 5’4″ (163 cm). But where do the two finally diverge, which might put the other at a slight disadvantage? It’s the San Antonio native’s 1-inch reach advantage at 67″ (170 cm), which might trouble the champion. Is it enough to tilt the narrative in his favor?

Prediction: Momentum, fighting styles and X-factor

So, what exactly separates Rodriguez from Estrada? Not only does he carry the power of the youth, but he also has an insatiable hunger, which is only ignited by the discipline drilling tactics of trainer Robert Garcia. That’s what allowed him to hand Sunny Edwards, the former IBF Flyweight champion, a beating and the first loss of his career when the two met inside the ring last December.

If you look at the southpaw boxer’s career, he has shown an upward trajectory and even collected wins against Carlos Cuadras and Srisaket Sor Rungvisai. While you might hotly debate whether the former champions’ were past their prime or not, you can’t look past the fact that these are remarkable accomplishments. If you factor in Rodriguez’s age, you will realize that he has yet to hit his prime years. His youth is his X-factor, which might propel him to a win that might be talked about for a long time. It is already looking like an uphill battle for Estrada. So, how does ‘El Gallo’ deal with him?

Estrada is a complete boxer, who can switch gears according to the situation and put relentless pressure on his foes. He can also engage in a brawl if need be, but the question remains. Is the Sonora native the same fighter he once was? Inactivity plagues his career, with his last fight in 2022 rematch against Román González, which he barely scrapped through. While his experience and strength are his X-factor, his age, coupled with his 18-month-long layoff, makes it a mismatch.

Where will the fight be won, then? It’s a clash of Estrada’s experience, high ring IQ, and swift movements with Rodriguez’s youth and his persistence to evolve into a better boxer. It’s an amusing fight, which promises exhilarating action and this fight might decide the future of the 115 lbs division. Will Estrada cling onto his crown or will a new generation finally topple him? It all unfolds on June 29.

What do you make of this coming fight between Juan Francisco Estrada and Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez? Who do you think will reign supreme at 115? Let us know in the comments below.