World champion boxer Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez made a heartfelt decision this Wednesday, prioritising family over fight week festivities by missing a scheduled public workout to witness the birth of his second child.
A Ringside No-Show for the Best Reason
The super-flyweight sensation, who is set to defend his WBC and WBO world titles against Argentina's undefeated Fernando Martinez this Saturday night live on DAZN PPV, was due to appear in the ring at around 10:30 PM in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The event, part of the Ring IV card, was billed as the final opportunity for fans and media to assess Rodriguez's condition before the highly anticipated bout.
However, a wave of confusion spread through the venue when it became clear the 25-year-old fighter would not be appearing. The reason was both sudden and joyous: Rodriguez had received word that his girlfriend, Rebecca, had gone into labour back home. The couple already has an 18-month-old daughter named Mila.
Without hesitation, Rodriguez chose to forgo the press event, opting instead to join the delivery room virtually via FaceTime, phone in hand. This meant some dedicated supporters, including one who had flown in specifically to see him, were left without their main attraction, but for a universally understandable cause.
Family First: A Recurring Motive for the Champion
This emotionally charged development was a scenario Rodriguez and his team had long anticipated, with his title defence dangerously close to Rebecca's due date. Far from causing panic, sources within his camp indicated the timely arrival has given the boxing superstar a renewed sense of purpose and a fresh fire for Saturday's clash with the relentless Martinez.
For Rodriguez, drawing strength from his family is standard practice. In an exclusive interview with Daily Mail Sport during his American training camp, he revealed that unlike many fighters who isolate themselves, he deliberately brings his loved ones with him. He spoke candidly about finding stability and sanity in their presence, contrasting it with the loneliness he felt during past camps when they were apart.
He shared a poignant memory of his daughter Mila taking her first steps while staying with him during a previous training camp—a milestone he would have missed had they remained at home. "If it weren't for my family being here, then I probably would've gone crazy already," Rodriguez admitted. "Having my daughter and my girlfriend here with me just makes me a better person overall."
While his family is due to return home just before the most gruelling part of his training intensifies, Rodriguez sees it as added motivation. "It's gonna be a little hard," he confessed quietly. "But that just pushes me more to get the job done."
