SAN ANTONIO — Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez stood outside and soaked in the giant digital poster promoting his upcoming fight for the vacant WBO flyweight title. He will be fighting in front of his family and friends at the Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio. 

“It’s dope. It’s crazy to see. I’m the main event, the headliner. I’m the main attraction everyone’s coming out to see,” Rodriguez said. “So to see this is a dream come true.” 

It’s a dream that started when he was 9 years old. 

“I was just going to the gym because my brother had started going, so being the little brother I was like, 'I’m going to be like my big brother,'” Rodriguez said. 

He’s just like his big brother Joshua Franco — they are both world champion boxers from the Alamo City — but Rodriguez is the youngest current world champion. Even though he’s on a historic run, he’s much happier for his brother's success than his own. 

“Just 'cause he’s my big brother, I’ve always looked at myself as a little brother. I’ve never wanted more than him,” Rodriguez said. “I’ve always wanted him to have everything that I have and more.” 

That’s the San Antonio kid in him: show love to others and remain grounded, even though he’s doing historic things such as co-main eventing on the same card as the pound-for-pound king, Canelo Alvarez. 

He’s only 23 years old, but younger pro boxers, including 18-year-old Jesus Martinez, look up to Rodriguez.  

“I’ve known Jesse and Josh for a really long time, and seeing where we used to train together when I was little,” Martinez said. “I just want to follow their footsteps and achieve great things like they are.” 

Martinez fights out of Cardona’s Boxing gym on San Antonio’s West Side and will fight on the undercard for Rodriguez’ homecoming bout at Tech Port’s Boeing Center. 

“Being on someone's card that you look up to, it is truly a blessing,” Martinez said. 

Rodriguez views it as an opportunity to show how San Antonio, which has produced six world champions, should not be overlooked as a boxing town. 

“It means a lot to me, the pride that we carry. Every boxer you see that steps in the ring from San Antonio, they are going to give you a fight, they are going to give you hell,” Rodriguez said. 

Rodriguez is all about his city. When he’s not training he’s probably supporting local businesses like Vice Versa, clothing stores like The Vaulti, and Squeezers Juice Bar.

“I’m just a regular person in my eyes,” Rodriguez said. “I know I’ve accomplished a lot, but it’s not enough just yet.” 

Rodriguez is poised to become the first two-division world champion in San Antonio, not for selfish reasons, but because he knows it will bring attention to his hometown and the fighters who come out of it. 

“I feel we are just on the rise. We are overlooked a bit. I think it’s just a matter time before we actually put our city out there, for sure,” Rodriguez said.