Shelled up in the corner, Phumelele Cafu’s strategy was evident Saturday night — get low behind a tight guard and counterpunch Jesse Rodriguez, thus negating the clever movement that gives 'Bam' the angles to land his explosive shots.
A patient Rodriguez took his time and chipped away at Cafu before landing a sharp right hook to the temple that put the South African fighter on jelly legs and ultimately led to his corner throwing in the towel. Rodriguez's 10th-round TKO made him the unified WBC and WBO super flyweight world champion at The Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, and live on DAZN.
With the win, Rodriguez owns half the titles in the division and could be a championship away from enjoying undisputed glory if he defeats WBA super flyweight champ Fernando Daniel Martinez at the Ring IV event on November 22.
Rodriguez systematically broke Cafu down Saturday night, really stepping on the gas during the eighth round and only ramping up his work in the ninth where he uncorked a double uppercut in hopes to split the South African's high, disciplined guard. While Cafu was competing with Rodriguez, he wasn't doing enough to win with his pointed counterpunch work.
'Bam' finally got to Cafu in the 10th when he uncorked that right hook, which prompted the referee to step in and almost shut down the action right there.
Instead, he opted to let the fight continue and Rodriguez unloaded a barrage of shots, forcing Cafu's trainer to throw in the towel, giving 'Bam' his 22nd victory and 15th knockout in what the soaring star called his "toughest" fight to date.