Pound-for-pound staple Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez is one of the consensus best fighters in the world, at only 26 years old, because of his world championship wins across two weight classes, including victories over Wisaksil Wangek, Sunny Edwards, and Juan Francisco Estrada
The Robert Garcia-trained fighter appears to be the envy of his teammates at the Riverside Academy in Southern California for his extraordinary blend of ring IQ, tempo control, and spiteful shot selection — he doesn’t waste shots, or chase knockouts, but yet still causes considerable pain pretty much every time he steps through the ropes.
And so it is sometimes uncommon for fighters to run toward champions like these.
More uncommon, still, when that fighter happens to be a relative novice with only three bouts to their name.
Enter Tomoya Tsuboi, a 30-year-old medal magnet as an amateur, who turned professional in 2025 to put together a three-fight winning run that year with wins over Boonrueang Phayom, Tran Van Thao, and Carlos Cuedras whom he finished in the eighth round for his most meaningful win to date.
A veteran Mexican, Cuedras is the same fighter ‘Bam’ went 12 rounds with four years ago in Phoenix. It’s a result that has seemingly buoyed Tsuboi, who has now turned his crosshairs to Rodriguez himself.
“I feel like I’m right on the doorstep of becoming a world champion,” he told The Ring, recently.
“I’d love to face Jesse, but that fight won’t happen at junior bantamweight.”
“For now, I’ll focus on sharpening myself and unifying all four belts.”
Tsuboi, a super flyweight, returns to the ring April 11 against Pedro Guevara, a 50-fight veteran. He is yet another world champion the fast-rising Japanese boxer will face as he seemingly rushes toward championship status himself.
“I’m excited for the challenge of controlling all 10 rounds against a fighter like him,” he said.
“I’m sure he’ll come in with a well-crafted strategy specifically for me. My plan is to surpass everything he brings and showcase overwhelming Tomoya Tsuboi boxing.'”
