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The unbeaten southpaw has already established himself as one of the sport’s leading pound-for-pound talents, but believes he has operated well below his ceiling to this point in his career.
“I feel like I haven’t even showed 50% of what I’m capable of, but the tougher the opponent, then the better my performance,” Rodriguez said during Thursday’s press conference. “Antonio Vargas, I feel like he’s going to bring out another percentage of Bam Rodriguez and I can’t wait to go out there and show it.”
Rodriguez also suggested the move to bantamweight could unlock another level of his game after years of making the super flyweight limit.
“I’m feeling much better at this weight class, much more sharp, much more stronger and faster. The fact that I don’t have to lose an extra three pounds. So, just expect another spectacular performance and I’m ready to go out there and make it happen.”
The 26-year-old made the decision to vacate his WBC, WBA and WBO super flyweight titles rather than attempt to hold onto them while testing the waters in a higher division.
Rodriguez admitted that routine title defenses no longer provide the same motivation as the pursuit of new challenges.
“Yeah, constantly always trying to challenge myself. I mean, if it’s not a world title fight, then it really doesn’t interest me. Or even if it’s just a simple defense, it really doesn’t interest me or get me going inside the gym,” Rodriguez said. “When I got the opportunity to fight Antonio Vargas for another world title in another weight division, I was on go right away.”
Rodriguez (23-0, 16 KOs) enters the contest riding a streak of five consecutive stoppage victories. Vargas (19-1-1, 11 KOs, 1 NC) accepted the assignment despite having other options available and will attempt to derail one of boxing’s fastest-rising stars.
Victory for Rodriguez would add another world title to an already impressive résumé. It would also intensify the calls for the San Antonio native to pursue the marquee fights waiting further north on the scale as his career continues to gather momentum.
