Live results: Rodriguez defeats Edwards by 9th round KO and becomes unified flyweight champion of the world!
WBO flyweight titleholder Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez meets IBF champion Sunny Edwards on Saturday, December 16 with flyweight unification on the line. The fight is set for 12 rounds and these two will square off at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. The bout is available to stream on DAZN with main card coverage slated for 8 p.m. ET.
Rodriguez (18-0, 11 KOs) is a two-weight champion who had great success at super flyweight, before coming back to 112 pounds and winning the WBO belt. He overcame a broken jaw in the sixth round and out landed flyweight contender Cristian Gonzalez in April. With 11 of his 18 wins coming by stoppage, he now shifts his focus toward being a unified champion.
Edwards (20-0, 4 KOs) is an orthodox fighter out of England. He’s defended his IBF title four times since winning it in 2021. In his most recent bout, he prevailed by way of unanimous decision against Andres Campos. After this fight he called out Rodriguez or current WBC flyweight champion Julio Cesar Martinez for a unification bout. Not known for KOs, Edwards relies on his ring technique to outlast opponents.
Rodriguez comes into the bout as the favorite at DraftKings Sportsbook. He is a -215 favorite while Edwards is a +170 underdog. The favored method of victory is Rodriguez by decision (-115).
Jesse Rodriguez vs. Sunny Edwards round-by-round results
Round 1: Rodriguez 10-9
Early body work from Rodriguez as Edwards sizing up the champion. Big right to the body lands clean for Bam. Counter left from Edwards connects. Bam with some good body shots.
Round 2: Rodriguez 10-9 (Rodriguez 20-18)
Right hand hurts Edwards as Bam living up to the name. Edwards absorbs one and gives one back to Bam. Right hand clocks Edwards again and now a bruise forming beneath his left eye. Bam continues to press forward and Edwards on his heels repeatedly.
Round 3: Rodriguez 10-9 (Rodriguez 30-27)
Rodriguez fighting the better style at the moment. Edwards searching for a rhythm. Bam backs Sunny to the ropes and Edwards responds with a quick right hook. Edwards reluctant to counter and Bam has him faltering. Edwards with a nice left hook, Bam still pressing forward. Very competitive but Rodriguez showing his whole offensive set early.
Round 4: Edwards 10-9 (Rodriguez 39-37)
Edwards trying to make the fight ugly, but landing better with combinations. Now he’s starting to settle in a bit. Another nice left hook and Edwards conducting his best round of the night.
Round 5: Rodriguez 10-9 (Rodriguez 49-46)
Left lands downstairs for Rodriguez. More work to the body from Bam. Edwards counters with a body shot of his own now. Bam back to back uppercuts and Edwards looks puzzled. Edwards trying to play it off, but he’s feeling the power of Rodriguez.
Round 6: Rodriguez 10-9 (Rodriguez 59-55)
Slugfest forming but Bam is on pace to land a KO. Big time shots and Edwards waiting on the ropes. His eye has developed some swelling. Bam taunts, Edwards tries to hit him back but fails to really connect.
Round 7: Rodriguez 10-9 (Rodriguez 69-64)
Edwards launches a punch that hits no one. Edwards fires off a nice three punch combo, but Bam seems unfazed. Straight left from Bam and Edwards is stunned. Recollects himself and continues to step forward. Nasty body shot from Bam and Edwards now forming more cuts this time on his right eye.
Round 8: Rodriguez 10-9 (Rodriguez 79-73)
Bam getting anything he wants and Edwards corner has to consider throwing in the towel here. The lack of movement from Edwards is concerning. Bam looks untouched and way fresher.
Round 9: Rodriguez KO
Complete domination and Bam delivers a deadly left hand, Edwards falls face first as the bell dings. And his corner HAS THROWN IN THE TOWEL. Bam Rodriguez earns unified flyweight title status in a fantastic way!