Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez vs. Fernando Martinez: Who has the edge heading into their fight?

One of the most thrilling boxers the sport has to offer returns to a matchup he has been coveting for quite some time.

Unified WBC/WBO super flyweight world champion Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez puts his titles on the line against WBA titleholder Fernando Martinez in a huge unification bout in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and live tonight on DAZN Pay-Per-View.

Rodriguez (22-0, 15 KOs) was forced into a tactical fight against Phumelele Cafu in July before figuring out the South African fighter by uncorking a raucous right hook toward a 10 ^th -round TKO. Meanwhile, Martinez (18-0, 9 KOs) is coming off another unanimous decision over Kazuto Ioka in their May rematch, defending his title against the Japanese fighter twice in less than a year.

Will ‘Bam’ devise a way to produce his fifth straight stoppage win to inch closer to undisputed glory at 115 pounds? Or will the Argentinian Martinez’ grit and pressure be enough to hand Rodriguez his first professional loss?

With the stakes high, DAZN News analyzes who has the edge in this weekend’s championship unification bout.

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Boxing Styles

With level changes, foot fakes, fluid combinations and explosive power, Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez possesses one of the most dynamic fighting styles in boxing.

Plus, the 25-year-old southpaw is disciplined, always working behind a tight guard and educated bounce in his step from which he derives pressure from.

That is in contrast to Fernando Martinez’ style of pressure which is rabid in the way he closes space between he and his opponents.

The rugged Argentinian fighter does not hesitate in letting opponents know that he is going to head hunt upstairs, but in doing so often leaves a lapse guard.

That is something a skilled boxer and power puncher like ‘Bam’ can exploit, especially off dazzling movement with his feet.

Edge: 'Bam' Rodriguez

Power

Martinez’ power is more persistent in nature, coming off relentless punching to the tune of half of his 18 pro wins coming by the way of knockout.

Rodriguez’ power is more explosive and his creativity in generating that power always keeps him a knockout threat.

He enters this bout riding a wave of four consecutive knockouts including the changing of levels and foot fake he used to launch a vicious right hook that paved the way for his 10 ^th- round stoppage of Cafu in July.

This category is tilted well in his favor.

Edge: 'Bam' Rodriguez

Mental Warfare

Martinez touts wins in Japan, the United States, Dubai, South Africa, and a lion’s share in his native Argentina.

But his quality of opponents pale in comparison to Rodriguez, who at 25, has defeated the likes of Carlos Cuadra, Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, Sunny Edwards, Juan Francisco Estrada and Pedro Guevara, to name a few.

‘Bam’ is only honing his craft and improving with this kind of experience.

Even in his last fight, a tactical bout against a less known Cafu, Rodriguez demonstrated poise before pouncing toward the stoppage.

He gets the nod here, too.

Edge: 'Bam' Rodriguez

Who has the edge in Rodriguez vs. Martinez?

Already a two-division world champion, Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez is carving out an impressive ring resume out for himself.

A scintillating victory against a gritty Martinez would have him one title away from reigning as an undisputed super flyweight crown holder.

The sensational 25-year-old gets that and it will only add to the clamor for him moving up and challenging Naoya Inoue.

DAZN News has the edge residing with Rodriguez, 3-0, to use this weekend to launch an electric 2026.