SAN ANTONIO — Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez hasn't always been a dominant boxer.
The San Antonio native actually lost his first three fights as an amateur. He's been winning ever since, developing a burning desire to be one of boxing's best.
"I want to be a legend not only in San Antonio, but in the sport of boxing," Rodriguez said. "One of those greats. One of those Mike Tyson, Muhammad Alis.”
Rodriguez started fighting as a professional in 2018. He became the youngest current world champion when he won the WBC super-flyweight title in February.
"I knew this year was gonna be special. I knew my life was gonna change. I just felt like it was destiny," Rodriguez said. "All my hard work, all my sacrifices, everything I've been through — it just finally paid off.”
The 22-year-old's upset win over Carlos Cuadras made him the sixth-ever world champion from San Antonio.
“I see the belt at home and I can't believe it's reality now," Rodriguez said. "I used to dream of holding that belt around my shoulder or my waist, and now it's here sitting at the dinner table. It's crazy.”
Rodriguez was honored with a welcome home in San Antonio after the fight. Hundreds of fans showed up at El Pollo King for a fighter who beams with pride for his city.
“Every fight I go in there with San Antonio behind me. I know everyone in San Antonio is backing me up," Rodriguez said. "I’m really happy to be from San Antonio, born and raised. I wouldn't want to be from anywhere else.”
Bam's older brother, Joshua Franco, is also a champion. He's held the WBA super-flyweight belt since 2020. Their relationship is more of a partnership than a rivalry.
“When I'm in camp, he's right there with me," Rodriguez said. "He sleeps by me. He runs with me. He trains with me. Our bond is unbreakable.”
Both fighters are trained by the legendary Roberto Garcia.
"Josh being champion first obviously motivated Bam. Now that they’re both champions, it could also be a little bit of competition," Garcia said. "It's actually good because they don’t want to be the first one to lose the title. They're both going to work even harder now.”
Rodriguez's next fight will likely be this spring. In the meantime, his work continues with Garcia and at various gyms across the Alamo City.
“I'm confident and I'm ready for whoever. This is everything I've worked for and it's only the beginning. It's only going to get better from here," Rodriguez said.
Only a few cities in America have a boxing tradition like San Antonio's, something that's on Rodriguez's mind as he tries to create his own legacy in the ring.
"I’m excited to see what the future holds. I'm ready to make San Antonio proud," Rodriguez said.