Bam Rodriguez Challenges Antonio Vargas for WBA Title June 13

The winner will hold a title at 118 pounds, the loser will suffer a career-defining setback.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 10:11pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist-style painting featuring fragmented, geometric shapes in red, blue, and yellow, capturing the dynamic action and energy of a boxing match.Two elite bantamweights collide in a high-stakes title fight that could propel the winner to new heights in the division.Frisco Today

Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez will move up a division and challenge WBA bantamweight champion Antonio Vargas on Saturday, June 13 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. Rodriguez, a three-division world champion at 26, is looking to add another title, while Vargas, a 2016 U.S. Olympian, is aiming to defend his belt and rewrite his story after a 2019 loss derailed his original path.

Why it matters

This fight represents a career-defining moment for both fighters. Rodriguez is seeking to become a rare three-division world champion at a young age, cementing his status as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the sport. For Vargas, a win would solidify his place among the elite bantamweights, while a loss could close a door that took him nearly a decade to open.

The details

Rodriguez (23-0, 16 KOs) has captured world titles at 112 and 115 pounds, most recently unifying the super flyweight division. Vargas (19-1-1, 11 KOs) won the interim WBA bantamweight title in 2024 and was elevated to full champion in 2025 after the previous titleholder was declared medically unable to defend. Vargas has been floored in each of his last three outings, which could be a concern against the hard-hitting Rodriguez.

  • The fight will take place on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
  • Rodriguez captured his first world title at the Footprint Center in Phoenix in February 2022 and returned to the same venue in June 2024 to unify the super flyweight division.

The players

Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez

A 26-year-old American boxer who is seeking to become a three-division world champion. He has captured titles at 112 and 115 pounds, most recently unifying the super flyweight division.

Antonio Vargas

A 29-year-old American boxer who is the current WBA bantamweight champion. He won the interim title in 2024 and was elevated to full champion in 2025 after the previous titleholder was declared medically unable to defend.

Eddie Hearn

The promoter of Matchroom Boxing, who has a long-term deal with Rodriguez and is framing this fight as an opportunity for him to reach greatness.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“New weight class, same goals — dominate and pick up all the belts. On June 13, I look forward to becoming a three-division World Champion.”

— Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez

“Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, and that's exactly why I took this fight. These are the moments champions live for. I respect his skill, his IQ, everything he brings to the ring. I look forward to defending my WBA World title and I'm ready to prove that I'm one of the best fighters in my weight class.”

— Antonio Vargas

“We were delighted to announce earlier the extension to our long-term deal with Jesse, and yet again, he has chosen to reach out for greatness and become a three-weight World champion, which would be an incredible achievement at just 26 years of age.”

— Eddie Hearn, Promoter

What’s next

Undercard and ticket information for the June 13 fight will be released in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

This highly anticipated matchup between two of the best young fighters in the sport will have major implications for the bantamweight division. Rodriguez's pursuit of a third world title at just 26 years old would cement his status as a generational talent, while Vargas looks to defend his belt and prove he belongs among the elite at 118 pounds.