Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez stopped Antonio Vargas with a sixth-round technical knockout to become a three-weight world champion.
Rodriguez knocked down fellow American Vargas, who was defending the WBA bantamweight title at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, in the fourth round and landed a powerful left in the sixth before the bout was stopped.
The 26-year-old, who has a 24-0 professional record, has held world titles at super-flyweight and flyweight.
Although he could remain in the bantamweight class to challenge WBO champion Christian Medina for another world title, Rodriguez has also been linked with a move up to super-bantamweight to challenge undisputed champion Naoya Inoue.
“I’m ready for whoever, whenever,” Rodriguez said. “Put them in front of me, and I’m going to say yes.”