Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez returns to action this weekend in Glendale, Arizona when he takes on Antonio Vargas for a WBA bantamweight title in a DAZN main event, and looking ahead to the card Matchroom Boxing releases a video feature of behind the scenes footage of Bam in training camp.
“Just the environment, the energy that’s here inside the gym,” Bam said of the Robert Garcia Academy. “You’ve got world champions, current world champions, hungry prospects, amateurs on their way to turn professional —
I feel like we all feed off each other’s energy. The sparring we get is better than a lot of gyms get so I feel like all of that combined is going to make anybody that steps into this gym a better fighter.
“Boxing’s hard. I believe it’s the hardest sport in the world, not only because of the fighting part but also because of the training. People don’t see this part, they only see when we step inside the ring come fight night but 10 week training camps take a toll on you. But as far my motivation, is my kids and my family now. My dream when I became professional was to become world champion and I did that plenty years ago and now that I have kids I feel like that’s my motivation to keep going.”
After going through some paces and mitt work with a handful of coaches, each of whom bring a little something different to the table, Bam talks about holding himself to a high standard and always looking for that next challenge.
“I’m the kind of guy that’s never satisfied. I win a fight and the next week I’m already thinking about what’s next. I don’t like to look on my accomplishments too much pat myself on the back too much. I’m proud of what I’ve done but I know there’s a lot more I can still do.”
You can watch the full feature in the video link at the top!
