David Rodriguez ESB Interview

20.06.07 – By Robert Jones: David “Nino” Rodriguez (25-0 24 KO’s) is perhaps just a few steps away from a big fight, and his journey continues June 30th. Rodriguez will take on “Big” Rick Dyer on the boxing undercard of the Evander Holyfield and Lou Saverese fight as Holyfield continues his march towards another title shot. Nino took some time out of his last week of training to answer some questions in regards to his health, his upcomming fight, and his future. This is what the slugger had to say:

1. Injuries have held up the early part of your career, but you are still only 29 years old. How is your health nowadays?

Perfect, everything is perfect. My hand is holding up, as long as I take care of myself and stay healthy I do not see a problem with it in the future.

2. You have a big fight coming up against fellow undefeated challenger Rick Dyer. He’s 6’9. I know size doesn’t always matter in boxing, but he is the biggest fighter you’ve ever been in the ring with. Does this concern you at all?

I am the best fighter he has ever been in against so we will just leave it at that.

3. Between the two of you, you guys only have one fight that didn’t end in a knockout. Is there anyway this fight would be an exception?

I am prepared for whatever happens, I am not looking for the knock out. If the knock out comes then that is fine, I am going into this mentally prepared for whatever.

5. Does it make you nervous at all fighting in front of a legend?

Not at all, I am fine with that.

6. As stated, you have tremendous knockout power, 24 in your 25 wins, where do you think your power ranks among the elite power punchers like Klitschko and Briggs?

Right there with them, I think I am up there with Klitschko and probably have a better left hook than Klitschko. I think I am more explosive than Klitschko.

7. You are only 29 years old but do you feel any sense of urgency to solidify yourself among the best in the near future. There is plenty of action going on in the upper ranks of the division. How long to you see yourself fighting for a title.

Yeah, the last two years I have, I have been feeling really urgent. Maybe a year to a year and a half.

8. With all due respect, you’ve gained yourself a bit of a cult following among people in internet chat rooms and boxing forums because of your power, but also because you have been sort of the invisible man. First of all, are you aware of this following you have, and do you like being thought of in this way.

I kind of try to stay out of the center of attention, I am always the one in the corner kind of the fly on the wall. I do not like to get involved with that stuff to much, but I do love having a following, if people want to follow me then why not I am here to please the fans. They deserve my very best when I get into the ring and when I get into the ring I do give it my very best.

9. Is there anything you would like to add or say to the readers at boxing247.com?

I would just like to thank you for taking the time to speak to me and to the fans. Be sure to check out the fight and my website www.ninoboxing.com