The former Ring and unified 112 and 115-pound champion figures to take another fight at 118 pounds this fall before entertaining the idea of an inevitable encounter against 122-pound king Naoya Inoue. Before it’s all said and done, however, Rodriguez said becoming a featherweight champion could be the final feather in his cap.

“I feel like I haven't even hit my full man strength yet,” Rodriguez said during his post-fight press conference. “Time is going to tell how far I can go. I know how far I can go, but we need to see if my body allows it.”

Rodriguez (24-0, 17 KOs) eventually overwhelmed the game and brave Vargas (19-2-1, 11 KOs, 1 NC) by dropping him in the fifth round and stopping him in the following frame with one punch.

“I did [feel Vargas' power]. He had a bit more power than I expected,” Rodriguez said. “I was expecting that moving up to 118, a different weight class, more weight, a bigger opponent. I knew what to expect. So it was nothing out of the ordinary, but I did feel it.”

Rodriguez’s promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, gave his plaudits by saying his pupil painted a proper picture.

“As soon as they went through the gears, it was just like watching Picasso,” Hearn said. “It was just pure art in there, pure ability, and pure skill … I thought Vargas was sensational through four rounds … and then Bam just went into second gear. He's just so special … He thinks he's only operating at 50% of his ability, which is a scary, scary thought.”

Hearn also pumped up the Inoue fight while simultaneously pumping the brakes on it, alluding that they might miss the boat if they don’t do it soon.

“Being at 118, and being one division away makes it much more realistic, but that was his first fight there against Vargas,” Hearn said. “I'm a little bit of a fantasist when it comes to matching fights. I know there are weight classes for a reason, but I don't think the step is too far for him at 122. But I do think it's a disadvantage for him against Inoue. I mean, it can only be when you're fighting a much bigger guy, and that's what he is.”

With manager and coach Robert Garcia guiding him ever since his pro career kicked off, Rodriguez, ranked No. 4 in The Ring’s pound-for-pound list, believes he’s invincible while operating at the peak of his powers at 26.

“I know with Robert in my corner, no one can beat me,” Rodriguez said. “I have the best coach in all of boxing. Robert is the greatest of all time. Anything he says, I know it's going to work, and all I have to do is listen to him. That's what I did, and I got the knockout against Vargas.

“If it weren't for Robert, I wouldn't be where I am today. He not only got me to where I'm at, but he's guiding me outside of the ring as well, making the right decisions, not only for myself, but for my family.”