Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez skipped Wednesday’s open workout to witness the birth of his second child via FaceTime.
The super-flyweight champion had been scheduled to appear at 10:30 p.m. in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, ahead of his fight.
Fans and reporters gathered expecting to see Rodriguez’s final workout, with some traveling internationally for the session.
Upon learning his girlfriend Rebecca went into labor, Rodriguez chose family over the press event, phone in hand.
The 25-year-old prioritized witnessing the delivery virtually rather than performing for fight-week fanfare.
Emotional Build-Up Meets Reality
Rodriguez’s title defense coincided with Rebecca’s due date, creating the risk of an emotional and logistical clash.
The timing tested Rodriguez as cameras and fans waited to see him prepare for his world-title bout.
His team reported no panic, noting that the birth announcement ignited new motivation for Saturday’s fight.
Martinez, the unbeaten challenger, is known for relentless pressure and a tireless work rate, adding intensity to Rodriguez’s challenge.
Family Motivation Drives Performance
Rodriguez routinely brings Rebecca and daughter Mila to his training camps, finding focus and stability in their presence.
He explained that their absence in previous camps left him lonely and disconnected from normal life.
Mila took her first steps during a past camp, a moment Rodriguez would have missed without family nearby.
He said having his loved ones around makes him a better person and a stronger fighter overall.
The family returns home on Sunday before the hardest stretch of camp, fueling Rodriguez’s determination to succeed.
