Jesse Rodriguez stops Sunny Edwards after nine to unify flyweight titles

• Edwards doesn't answer bell for 10th round in unification bout
• Rodriguez, 23, adds IBF title at 112lbs with stoppage victory

Jesse Rodriguez defeated Great Britain's Sunny Edwards by ninth-round technical knockout to unify the IBF and WBO flyweight championships on Saturday night at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.

Rodriguez, the 23-year-old from San Antonio nicknamed Bam, dropped Edwards for the first time in his career with a straight left hand in the ninth that saw the London man pitch forward to his knees, his face on the canvas. Edwards beat the count and made it to the bell, but did not leave his stool for the 10th round.