Dib won improved his record to 35-1 with the victory over 10 rounds, but was made to work for it by Rodriguez (21-4), who put in a spirited performance, particularly in the 10th and final round.
Despite that late effort from Rodriguez, the judges saw the fight 97-94, 98-92 and 99-92 all in favour of Dib.
The Australian shone in the middle rounds, delivering punches in bunches – but he could not finish off the Mexican, whose best efforts tended to come in single shots.
"I had to graft for that win but I worked extremely hard in the gym and that was how I was able to get through that fight,'' Dib told AAP.
