Jesse Rodriguez signs “long-term” contract extension with Matchroom Boxing, next fight announced

Unified super flyweight world champion Jesse Rodriguez (23-0, 16 KOs), also known by his nickname “Bam,” has signed a contract extension with Matchroom Boxing.

The company made the announcement on their social media channels on Friday. However, there was no mention for exactly how long Rodriguez’s contract had been extended for. Matchroom Boxing’s announcement does mention that it is “long-term.”

Rodriguez signed a contract with Matchroom Boxing in 2022. Since then, he has become a unified world champion at both flyweight and super flyweight. His victories over Juan Francisco Estrada and Sunny Edwards are just some of the memorable fight nights Rodriguez has had since joining Matchroom Boxing.

Jesse Rodriguez’s next fight made official

Not long after Rodriguez’s contract extension was announced, Matchroom Boxing also confirmed when he would be returning to the ring.

“Bam” is now scheduled to take on Antonio Vargas, the reigning WBA bantamweight world champion. The bout will headline a June 13 card at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, AZ. Fight fans will be able to catch the action live on DAZN. The clash will see Rodriguez attempt to become a world champion in a third weight class.

Bam makes the move 📈

WBA World Bantamweight Champion Antonio Vargas welcomes two-division Unified World Champion @210bam to 118lbs 🔥#BamVargas lands at the @DDArenaAZ, June 13 👊 @DAZNBoxing pic.twitter.com/5tIn1ZrjKJ

— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) April 17, 2026

The WBA bantamweight world title has exchanged hands quite a bit over the last couple of years without it ever actually be lost in the ring. Seiya Tsutsumi won the title in 2024 by defeating Takuma Inoue. His first defence ended in a draw against Daigo Higa early in 2025. Tsutsumi was then declared a “champion in recess” due to an injury,” allowing Vargas to be promoted from interim to primary titlist.

Vargas’s only defence of the title ended in a draw to Higa in July last year. Tsutsumi was then reinstated as champion and made a successful defence against Nonito Donaire (a family tragedy reportedly prevented Vargas from making a defence in time). With Tsutsumi once again injured, however, Vargas has been declared WBA bantamweight champion yet again. That very title will now be at stake against Rodriguez.