Jesse Rodriguez Franco vs Cristian Gonzalez Preview April 8th, 2023
Unbeaten former WBC Super Flyweight Champion Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez Franco of San Antonio, Texas will be shooting for the vacant WBO Flyweight Title this Saturday, April 8th when he takes on Cristian Gonazlez of Mexico. The 12-rounder from San Antonio, Texas can be seen live in most nations on DAZN. Rodriguez last fought in September when he beat Israel Gonzalez via a unanimous decision. It was his second defence of the Super Flyweight Title as he stopped fellow southpaw and former world champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai in the eighth round in June after winning the vacant belt in February when he dropped former champ Carlos Cuadras in the third round on his way to a unanimous decision victory. Gonzalez last fought in March, 2022 when he stopped Juan Alejo Zuniga in the first round.
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Rodriguez vs Gonzalez Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Cristian Gonzalez +1200
- Jesse Rodriguez -3300
My Pick
Rodriguez is currently the youngest pro world boxing champion as he’s just 23 years old. He enters the fight with a perfect mark of 17-0 with 11 Ko’s and possesses quite a bit of power in his arsenal with a current knockout ratio of 64.7 per cent. He stands 5-feet-4-inches tall with a 67-inch reach and is the brother of WBA Super Flyweight Champion Joshua Franco. He made his pro debut in 2017 and has boxed 70 rounds since.
Rodriguez enjoyed a fine amateur career which saw him win the 2015 U.S. National Junior Under-17 Championship at 101 lbs, capture a silver medal at the 2015 World Junior Under-17 Championships at 101 lbs and win the 2016 U.S. National Junior Under-17 Championships at 106 lbs. He stepped up in class against Carlos Cuadras earlier last year and passed the test with flying colours and was even more dominant in his win over Srisaket Sor Rungvisai.
Since turning pro and before meeting Cuadras, Rodriguez’s biggest wins were over the likes of Armando Vazquez, Rauf Aghayev, Cesar Torrijos, Marco Sustaita, Janiel Rivera and Saul Juarez. He had won six straight fights by knockout until Cuadras took him the distance and has now gone the distance in two of his last three fights. Rodriguez seems to be the real deal with speed, skills, a solid chin and plenty of power.
The 32-year-old Gonzalez enters the contest with a mark of 15-1 with 5 Ko’s and has boxed just 89 rounds since making his pro debut in 2017. His height and reach are unlisted so we can’t tell how he stacks up size-wise against Rodriguez. We know he doesn’t have much in the way of power though as his current knockout ratio stands at just 31.2 per cent. He’s stopped his last two opponents however but went the distance in his previous 10 fights.
Gonzalez’s lone defeat came at the hands of Angel Ayala Lardizabal by six-round split decision in May, 2019. His biggest wins have been against Kenny Cano, Saul Juarez and Zuniga. Conzalez is a relative unknown as this will be his first shot at any type of title since turning pro. Despite being on a nine-fight winning streak, his chances are quite slim here since he doesn’t have the power to stop Rodriguez.
Prediction…
Jessie ‘Bam’ Rodriguez has proven to be a worthy world champion at his young age champion with his wins over Cuadras, Rungvisai and Israel Gonzalez. He should remain unbeaten on Saturday night as Gonzalez just doesn’t have the power to keep the talented champion off of him.
Rodriguez’s power, chin and speed should be the difference.
Play: Rodriguez -3300 @ BetOnline.ag
Check out my recent boxing betting picks to see my current form.
Cristian Gonzalez betting • Jesse Rodriguez betting