Rodriguez becomes three-weight world champion

Rodriguez becomes three-weight world championImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Jesse Rodriguez has won all of his 24 professional bouts, including 17 by knockoutByElizabeth BotcherbyBBC Sport journalistPublished8 minutes ago1 CommentsJesse 'Bam' Rodriguez stopped Antonio Vargas with a sixth-round technical knockout to become a three-weight world champion.Rodriguez knocked down fellow American Vargas, who was defending the WBA bantamweight title at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, in the fourth round and landed a powerful left in the sixth before the bout was stopped.The 26-year-old, who has a 24-0 professional record, held world titles at super-flyweight in 2022 and flyweight from 2023 to 2024.Although he could remain in the bantamweight class to challenge WBO champion Christian Medina for another world title, Rodriguez has also been linked with a move up to super bantamweight to challenge multiple world champion Naoya Inoue."I'm ready for whoever, whenever," Rodriguez said. "Put them in front of me, and I'm going to say yes."Rodriguez landed 81 of 213 punches (38%) compared to 81 of 279 (29%) from Vargas.It was only the second defeat of Vargas' professional career, and his first since 2019, although he drew with Daigo Higa last July in the first defence of his bantamweight title."He was a lot tougher than I thought," Rodriguez said."He had good pop in his punches. I didn't think he had pop like that."Even after that first knockdown, he got up and he was fighting like it never even happened. Respect to him."Related topicsBoxingMore on this storyBoxing schedule and results 2026Published6 days agoNotifications, social media and more with BBC SportPublished5 days ago