Bam Rodriguez stops Cafu to unify again, Pacheco wins, more

Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez is once again a unified champion after a 10th round stoppage of Phumelala Cafu

Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez handled a tricky, cautious Phumelala Cafu and closed the show early in the 10th round in their DAZN main event from Frisco, Texas, claiming Cafu’s WBO belt and unifying it with his own WBC super flyweight title.

For Rodriguez (22-0, 15 KO), it’s his 5th time winning a belt, 2nd time unifying, and he’s still just 25 years old. He navigated the cagey Cafu cleanly throughout, sneaking in body shots whenever Cafu would open little cracks in his defense.

Cafu (11-1-3, 8 KO) came in with a reputation as a back foot guy, and was content to plant himself in a corner with that back foot all the way under the bottom rope, waiting for chances to counter. Cafu showed very fast hands, but never really landed them in a meaningful way.

Cafu wasn’t necessarily fighting just to survive, but his style wasn’t giving him any opportunity to win the fight. After eight very similar rounds that arguably all went Bam’s way, Cafu’s corner told him: “I need more from you.” Cafu gave a sincere effort to open up and get after Bam, but only wound up seriously rattled in the 9th round for his courage.

Then, after the 9th, the corner asked Cafu if he wanted to continue. He did, only for Bam to hurt him on a savage lead right hook, nearly force a referee stoppage, and finally motivate Cafu’s corner to wave the towel to end things.

It’s not an unexpected result, with Rodriguez entering to wide odds in his favor and a November unification with WBA champion Fernando Martinez already booked. But, it was surprisingly entertaining given Cafu’s guarded, defensive approach to the matchup. Rodriguez exits with another belt on his way to his stated goal of unifying all titles at 115 lbs., and the next one already contractually on the table for him in just four months.

Diego Pacheco UD-12 Trevor McCumby

No highlights to share, no real highlights in the fight, as Diego Pacheco proved content to patiently, methodically work his jab from distance. McCumby (28-2, 21 KO) tried to lunge in early, and all he got for it was an ugly cut on his forehead after a clash of heads in the 2nd.

The crowd started booing in the 5th, and it wasn’t hard to blame them as Pacheco’s steady, methodical control of the fight did not make for particularly compelling viewing. Pacheco (24-0, 19 KO) managed space like a veteran, constantly popping McCumby with a hard jab to keep him out of range. McCumby kept trying to find a home for the heavy right hand, but never really got it there.

Official scores were 120-108, 119-109, and 119-109 for Pacheco, who called for future matchups with fellow Top 10 super middleweights in the aftermath. The talent is obviously there, but tonight’s showing probably didn’t win over any new admirers.

Austin Williams TKO-9 Ivan Vazquez

Austin Williams escapes with the victory, but it’s little-known late replacement Ivan Vazquez that exits looking good. Williams (19-1, 13 KO) did his most meaningful work to the genitals, landing an absurdly low blow in the 2nd, losing a point for another low punch in the 3rd, and landing yet another in the 7th that went unpenalized.

Vazquez (11-1-2, 8 KO) was originally set to fight a six-rounder in Houston tonight before taking the opportunity to fill in against Williams. Vazquez was timing magnificent counters at range all night, and looked game on the inside, too, landing a steady series of crisp body shots all night. Unfortunately, Vazquez was exhausted at the end of the 8th, took a knockdown to down to start the 9th, and wasn’t able to continue. He’d have dominated a six round fight, clearly won an eight rounder, but just didn’t have the stamina to last a full 10. No complaints if they give the lad a full camp to prepare for the distance and run this one right back again.

Omari Jones TKO-3 Alfredo Blanco

The matchup was such that Omari Jones (3-0, 3 KO) couldn’t really prove much beyond his willingness to indulge Blanco’s clearly proven ability to take a punch. But, he certainly fed Blanco (24-15, 11 KO) a steady diet for as long as Blanco could handle it. Approximately seven and a half minutes, to be exact.

Two nice highlights from this one. The first, a violent knockdown just before the closing bell for Round 2, which Blanco survived. The second, a cruel body shot straight through the guard, which Blanco didn’t.