Night of the Champions lines up the best card of the year. Four super fights on the same show. There’s David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde, Devin Haney vs. Brian Norman Jr., Abdullah Mason vs. Sam Noakes, and Jesse Rodriguez vs. Fernando Martinez. That’s more than what a boxing fan could ask for.

Still, if asked to pick the best fight in the lot, most would pick the junior bantamweight title unification between Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez and Fernando “Puma” Martinez. It’s a throwback to ’80s fights when styles clashed. To get a taste of how their bout may potentially unfold, check out the media day face-off. The security and promoters had to step in as Bam and Puma pushed and shoved. So ahead of yet another Fight of the Year contender, let’s check out some interesting facts that make this match such a treat.

Predicting Jesse Rodriguez vs. Fernando Martinez: Who has better stats and a record?

Straight out of a motion picture script, this is the story of two titleholders who made their professional debut eight years ago. Both remain unbeaten. The difference perhaps lies in details. Rodriguez’s 22 fights are spread across two weight classes. A former flyweight champion, he currently holds the WBC and WBO belts of the super flyweight division. Puma, on the other hand, has largely stayed at 115 pounds.

Likewise, with 15 of his wins secured via knockouts, Jesse Rodriguez boasts a better knockout-to-win rate (68%) than Fernando Martinez, whose strike rate stands at a perfect 50%.

Jesse Rodriguez vs. Fernando Martinez: Height, weight, reach comparison, and more

Physically, the San Antonio-born champion seems to enjoy a slight edge. With a 5-foot-4-inch height and 67-inch reach, he outsizes Puma Martinez, who’s 5 feet and 2 inches tall and has a 64-inch reach. Weighing 114.6 pounds and 113.2 pounds, respectively, both the champions have made it through the final weigh-ins.

Fight prediction

Many feel Puma Martinez is being ignored. Still, notwithstanding the threat he poses, it’s hard to believe his claim overrides Jesse Rodriguez’s prospects. Oddsmakers seem to have a unanimous opinion. The 25-year-old champion will sail through the Argentine’s challenge.

Puma Martinez has scored some impressive wins. But they occurred on the sidelines. Moreover, the wins that got him recognition were secured against the same fighter, Kazuto Ioka. Staying on a standard two-fight-per-year pattern, a string of wins over champions over the last two years has made Rodriguez a well-recognized name even outside the US.

Styles and strategy

If not for the win, most of the diehards will watch the fight for the sheer artistic beauty a Bam Rodriguez fight offers. A gifted southpaw, the young champion, whose fighting style often resembles that of prime Loma, uses angles to pressurize and counter opponents.

In this particular case, Rodriguez may not have to move around. Walking in straight, Puma Martinez will apply constant pressure and bully him into making errors.

And that’s where Rodriguez may have to take due care. Allowing Puma to dictate the pace could break his rhythm. So even if Puma tries to get inside, Bam might use the brawl to his advantage by slipping into angles and hurting Puma with body shots.

Using his reach, Bam could jab his way out before Puma steps in. Likewise, the Argentine tends to use the traditional high guard. So Bam might use looping hooks to stun Puma.

It’s a critical bout for both the champions. Next month, the second unification bout in the division, between IBF title holder Willibaldo Garcia and Kenshiro Teraji, is scheduled. The winner could potentially face off against the winner of Bam vs. Puma for the 115-pound undisputed title.

For Jesse Rodriguez, a win ensures a place in the pound-for-pound top five list. But for Puma, a loss would mean starting from scratch, which at his age might prove daunting.

Should he win, do you want Bam to move up a division or stay at 115 pounds and get the fourth belt?