It was at the 2005 USA Boxing nationals that Rodriguez first made a name for himself, and he followed that up with a 2006 National Golden Gloves tourney title. He represented America in some international competitions, fighting as high as 178 pounds, losing to more experienced practitioners Darren Sutherland and Adonis Stevenson (undefeated prospects in the pros now). He was set to make a run at Olympic gold when life intervened on the first day of Olympic qualifications. Rodriguez explained to English boxing writer and master interviewer Anson Wainwright what happened. “My fiancé (Stephanie) gave birth to our twins. My kids were born premature, with both weighing about one pound each. Their struggle to live has inspired me to be the best I can be. When it comes to being a champion, all I need to do is look at my children to see what makes up a champ.” With his wife finishing a college degree, he attended college as well, Rodriguez made a choice to give up his Olympic aspirations and turn pro to earn money for a newly-expanded family.
It is no coincidence that as the twins grew and became stronger, so did their father. Rodriguez final amateur record stands at 84-9. It was in the amateurs that his punching power gained prominence, earning Rodriguez the nickname of “La Bomba” (“The Bomb”). He currently sports a spotless 13-0 record, with nine stoppage wins. Local legend Rocky Marciano is his favorite fighter, and Rodriguez enters the ring with a similar mindset. However, Rodriguez has the luxury of long arms, which he uses to maximum effect. While maintaining a puncher’s reputation, he is developing into an all-around boxer under the guidance of Peter Manfredo Sr. His hands are quick and educated, but I hesitate to label them as blazing. Rodriguez is addicted to chess (like Lennox Lewis), but fans will be glad to hear this fascination has not spilled over to his ring methodology. Another harbinger of his potential is that Rodriguez signed with promoter Lou DiBella last year.
To date, DiBella has gotten Rodriguez the right amount of work, 13 fights in two years, but the level of progression has been measured. Rodriguez has yet to face a stern puncher, with no opponent having more than six kayos to his name. Team Rodriguez claims their man can still make middleweight, but he has not fought below super middleweight since turning pro. A look at The Ring magazine top ten suggests it will be a much tougher road to a championship if Rodriguez stays above 160 pounds. The middleweight division seems wide open, comparatively, with only Kelly Pavlik and Paul Williams displaying any aura of dominance. Rodriguez walks around at 175 pounds, but feels making 160 pounds is not beyond his reach. “I feel very comfortable at 168. I’m improving with each fight, and I believe we’re on the right track. I’m working on improving my skills instead of losing weight, but I can get down to 160 for a big fight.”
Trainer Peter Manfredo Sr., who began working with Rodriguez a year-and-a-half ago (five fights, with four stoppages), likes what he has to work with. “The best thing about him is he’s a real good kid. He’s clean; a hard worker and very respectful. The road is long and there are no guarantees for anybody in this game. What I really like is his desire to work.” Rodriguez’s work in the gym is showing up on fight night. “He has that long range. He’s strong and has a good chin too. Edwin’s a quick learner. Like with the jab, he’s learning why to use it, to set up combinations and use his range to keep his opponent off balance.” Everything is done with an eye to the future, even tempering Rodriguez’s sometime overly-aggressive style. Manfredo Sr. urges, “I want him thinking that defense is a responsibility in order to last in this game.” Rodriguez will ready for the challenge of Armenta. He trained 14 straight weeks because a fight scheduled for the Shane Mosley vs. Andre Berto undercard on January 30th fell out.
Rodriguez’ opponent, George Armenta, 13-5 (11), enters off of a good ten-round loss to undefeated prospect Mark Tucker (after a five-year layoff). I say “good” because Armenta made Tucker work, and had late-round success getting inside his longer foe’s reach. Before his layoff, Armenta scored good wins over disappointing Olympian Dante Craig (TKO 4), and hot-and-cold Puerto Rican slickster Irving Garcia (UD 8). He also lost to an inexperienced Yuri Foreman (2-0), and then-unbeaten hot prospect Sechew Powell. Neither had much trouble beating Armenta, but he has never been stopped, despite being in with good competition. The lack of stoppage losses is because Armenta has a good chin, and seems more interested in surviving than taking chances to win. He has a good right hand on the inside, but a way overblown 61% kayo ratio. Armenta is a survivor in the ring, who does not have the punch or reflexes (is now 32) to properly take advantage of his aggressive style. Armenta has the nickname of “The Rooster”, but is no chicken when it comes to squaring up with superior boxers.
Whom he faces does not worry Rodriguez; he is enthused about the start to his New Year and eager to please fans who tune in tomorrow night. “Last year, I learned a lot, especially how to sit on my punches, focusing on hitting hard instead of tapping. I’ve corrected those bad habits from my amateur days.” Beyond learning in the ring, Rodriguez has the rest of his year mapped out. “I plan on winning a national or regional title by the end of 2010, which would position me for a world title shot in 2011.” Larry Army, a local attorney and Rodriguez’s manager, is similarly excited. “I think 2010 is going to be the year that Edwin attains national prominence as a top contender.” Both cite recent elbow surgery, as one key for their optimism. Army stated his belief that, “One of the reasons Rodriguez has been looking better is that elbow surgery, to remove bone chips (16 in all) in both elbows, was performed and his power has increased.”
That added power is tested on sparring partners like Peter Manfredo Jr., Jesse Brinkley, Edwin Ayala, and cruiserweight Matt Godfrey. Rodriguez has an understanding of what it takes to expand beyond ESPN2 shows, telling Anson Wainwright in a previously-cited interview. “The only way I will reach my goal of becoming a champion is by doing the things that other boxers will not do. This means constant honing of my skills, eating right, and training about four-to-five hours per day.” That work ethic shapes Rodriguez in the ring, and serves to ground him outside of it. “You can be humble but, at the same time, aware of where you want to go. I like to think that I’m a nice guy, a humble guy with a big heart. Outside of the ring, that is.” Pausing, before adding a final, foreboding thought. “Inside the ring, that’s another story; that’s where I take care of my business.”
You can contact Marty at mmulcahey@elpasotel.net or www.facebook.com/fivedogs
