Boxing Match Preview: Jesse Rodriguez (21-0-0, 14 KOs) vs. Phumelela Cafu (11-0-3, 8 KOs)

Date: Saturday, July 19, 2025
Venue: Ford Center at The Star, Frisco, Texas
Titles at Stake: WBC, WBO & Ring Magazine Super Flyweight World Championships
Broadcast: DAZN (Global) | Ringwalk: ~10:41 PM ET / 7:41 PM PT

Tale of the Tape

Attribute	Jesse Rodriguez	Phumelela Cafu
Record	21-0-0 (14 KOs)	11-0-3 (8 KOs)
Age	25	26
Height	5′4″ (163 cm)	5′6″ (168 cm)
Reach	67″ (170 cm)	64″ (163 cm)
Stance	Southpaw	Southpaw
KO Percentage	67%	73%
Titles Held	WBC, Ring (Super Flyweight)	WBO (Super Flyweight)
Rankings	Ring #3	Ring #3

Rodriguez enters as one of boxing’s pound-for-pound elite, while Cafu brings momentum and hunger after a career-defining win in Japan.

Style Breakdown & Fight Analysis

Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez

Elite timing, footwork, and punch placement

Lands 57% of power punches—among the highest in boxing

Known for body shot knockouts (see: Estrada KO)

Can fight off the back foot or press the action

Recent wins: Estrada (KO7), Edwards (TKO9), Guevara (KO3)

Phumelela “Truth” Cafu

Calm counterpuncher with sneaky power

Scored a knockdown vs. Kosei Tanaka en route to WBO title

Comfortable yielding initiative and responding with sharp counters

Has fought mostly in South Africa; this is his U.S. debut

Recent wins: Tanaka (SD12), Stelle (KO1), Libranza (UD10)

Key Tactical Notes

Rodriguez’s accuracy and body attack could overwhelm Cafu’s defense

Cafu must use reach and timing to disrupt Bam’s rhythm

Both are southpaws, which neutralizes stance advantage

Cafu’s durability and confidence make him a live underdog

Rodriguez’s precision, experience, and body work should carry the night. Cafu is tough and confident, but Bam’s ability to land clean shots at high volume is elite. Expect Cafu to have moments early, but Rodriguez’s class should shine through.