by Pavel Yakovlev (photos by Peter Mark Heintzelman) – This Saturday, highly touted middleweight prospect Edwin Rodriguez will seek his sixth professional victory in a card held at the Freeport (I.B.E.W.) Hall in Dorchester, Massachusetts. Rodriguez, a former international amateur star, is currently 5-0 with four knockouts as a professional. Rodriguez’s opponent will be Luis Hodges (5-6, three knockouts), of Sarasota, Florida. The match is scheduled for six rounds.
As an amateur, Rodriguez was one of the nation’s leading boxers, accumulating a record of 84-9 and competing in the 2005 World Championships in Mianyang, China. Rodriguez also won the 2005 US National Championships and the 2006 US Golden Gloves championships in the 165 lbs. weight class. He was planning to compete for a spot on the 2008 US Olympic team, but the recent birth of his twins (a boy and a girl) led him to value the financial rewards of the professional game over continued amateur success..
Rodriguez’s boxing style is that of a tall, fluid, boxer-puncher. At 6’0” tall, he enjoys a height and reach advantage over most other middleweights, and he puts his physical advantages to excellent use. Using his fast, lengthy left jab and quick footwork, Rodriguez takes control of his bouts from long range. He is a hard, snapping puncher, too, as he frequently hurts his foes with long right crosses and left hooks to the head. Rodriguez’s athleticism, fluidity and hand speed are impressive, and he is an excellent combination puncher. In recent bouts this writer has seen Rodriguez work effectively with strong right uppercuts and left hooks to the body at close quarters. In the ring, Rodriguez seems remarkably relaxed and poised.
On a personal level, Rodriguez comes across as an amiable, likeable sort. In a recent conversation with this writer he spoke of studying the films of Sugar Ray Robinson, whom he greatly admires. This writer is tempted, in fact, to compare Rodriguez stylistically and physically with the young Mike Spinks, in that both fighters dominate their foes with long, ramrod left jabs before scoring sudden knockouts with blistering power punches.
Born in the Dominican Republic but currently living in Worcester, Massachusetts, the 23 year old Rodriguez is trained by Peter Manfredo Sr. and is managed by Worcester attorney Larry Army Jr. Boxing pundits agree that it is highly probable that Rodriguez will eventually surface as a player on the world-level of the professional game.
This Saturday’s fight card at the Freeport (I.B.E.W.) Hall will also feature a six round featherweight contest between Providence, Rhode Island’s Robert DaLuz (10-11-1, nine knockouts) and Castullo Gonzalez (9-5, two knockouts) of Lynn, Massachusetts.
DaLuz is definitely a better fighter than his record indicates. Just one month ago he dropped a controversial eight round decision to highly touted prospect Dat Nguyen in Boston. Many witnesses to that match believe that DaLuz, in fact, deserved the decision over his favored opponent.. Whatever the case, DaLuz is a tough, exciting fighter who carries power in both hands.
In other bouts, hard-hitting ex-amateur standout Derek Hinkey (4-1, four knockouts) takes on Anthony Cannon (4-8, 1 knockout) in a super middleweight bout scheduled for six rounds. At heavyweight, Tyler Hinkey (2-0, one knockout) meets Mike Miller (3-10, one knockout) in a scheduled four rounder. In a super middleweight fight, Mark DeLuca (3-0, two knockouts) meets Anthony Osbourne (7-26-1, two knockouts). Jose Sanchez (2-1, one knockout) meets Harvey Phillips (0-4) in a featherweight match scheduled for four rounds. Also, in two scheduled four rounders, junior welterweight Jesus Caro will make his pro debut against an opponent yet to be named, and welterweights Alexandria Madgziak and Tamika Balmer will meet in their pro debuts.
Saturday’s boxing card is promoted by Peter Manfredo Sr.:Manfredo’s Gym, LLC. The Freeport (I.B.E.W.) Hall is located on Freeport Street, Dorchester (Boston), Massachusetts. The doors open at 6pm, and the first fight starts at 7pm. Tickets are $40.00 (general admission), $55.00 (reserved), $75.00 (ringside) and $100.00 (Golden Ringside), and can be purchased on-site at Freeport (I.B.E.W.) Hall and at Manfredo’s Gym (call 401-723-1359 for additional information).