Shields new chief second for Edwin Rodriguez; TG4 to broadcast Coyle-Cotena; More!

WORCESTER, Mass. (August 8, 2011) – Undefeated Edwin“La Bomba” Rodriguez, arguably the premier super middleweight prospect in the world, has switched head trainers and now two-time world title challenger Ronnie Shields is his chief second.

Rodriguez, a 26-year-old native of the Dominican Republic, returns on August 20 to fight at home in Worcester (MA) for the third time in as many years, headlining a special edition of Broadway Boxing, presented by DiBella Entertainment, at historic Mechanics Hall against intra-state rival and Iraq War veteran Chris Traietti (10-2, 6 KOs).

Rodriguez’manager, Larry Army, explained the head trainer change: “After Edwin’s third pro fight we switched trainers and went with Peter Manfredo, Sr., but after the McGirt and Pryor fights, Edwin and I talked about things that hadn’t been fixed– balance, wide punching and fighting out of control. So, we decided to make a change and sent Edwin to Houston to start working with Ronnie Shields. We knew that Edwin was more of a boxer as an amateur, but he had become a puncher as a young pro, and we felt he was losing his boxing skills.

“We conducted a two-month search to find the right trainer for Edwin and found him in Ronnie, who refocused Edwin on boxing without compromising his power. We didn’t send a raw prospect to Houston. Edwin had beaten three very good fighters in McGirt, Pryor and (Marcus) Upshaw, as well as veteran Darnell Boone, who had knocked off two undefeated prospects. In the August 20 fight, people are going to see an improved Edwin Rodriguez, but they’ve only been working together for three months, and he’s still a work in progress. He’s going to need an edge against better opponents and Ronnie gives him that edge he didn’t have before.”

Rodriguez (18-0, 13 KOs) is coming off of impressive back-to-back performances in high-profile victories against the sons of great fighters, James McGirt, Jr. and Aaron Pryor, Jr., respectively, on ShoBox: The New Generation and ESPN Friday Night Fights. In his last fight, Edwin suffered a dislocated shoulder during the early rounds from which he is now 100-percent fully recovered.

“I’m listening to somebody who has accomplished so much in boxing,” Rodriguez commented about working with Shields. “He knows what he’s talking about because he’s been there. The mistakes Ronnie may have made, he doesn’t want me to make, and really knows what styles work best against other styles. I feel real good about now going into a fight with several game plans, instead of just one, and being able to adjust during the fight. What I was missing in the past was more than only one game-plan; I made no adjustments during the fight, even if our game-plan wasn’t working.

“Ronnie’s been working on little things with me like blocking punches, proper balance, setting-up shots and using my defensive skills more. Now, I know what to do after hitting the body. When I used to throw a good body shot, I didn’t follow-up with a side-step, move around my opponent, and then throw a left hook upstairs. Not only wasn’t I finishing up after throwing a body shot, I left myself open for counters. I’m turning my shots and working everything off my jab. All of these changes have made a huge difference.”

The Lou DiBella-promoted Rodriguez is presently rated among the top 13 by all major governing bodies in professional boxing: International Boxing Federation (#8), World Boxing Association (#11), World Boxing Council (#13) and World Boxing Organization (#13). The 26-year-old is the reigning WBC USNBC titleholder.

In the past, the highly-regarded Shields worked with superstars such as Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Pernell Whitaker and the late Vernon Forrest. Today, in addition to Rodriguez, Ronnie handles WBA Interim super bantamweight champion Guillermo Rigondeaux, Erislandy Lara, Kermit Cintron, Jermall Charlo and Mike Lee, to mention some of the more notable boxers.

“Edwin is a good fighter and it didn’t take much to fix the few things that needed fixing,” Shields evaluated his new protégé. “He lacked defense and needed more head movement. He’s tall but fought like he was short. He likes to mix it up –nothing wrong with that – but nobody understood that he has such a great jab. He has a very pleasing style but, since I’ve had him in camp, I’ve tried to convince him that he’ll have a much longer career if he boxes on the outside. So far, he’s been great and he’s getting great sparring with light heavyweight Cornelius White. They have wars in the gym.

“As long as he stays focused and continues doing what he’s supposed to do, Edwin is going to be champion of the world. Timing is everything, and getting the right fights is important. Everybody knows he’s a good fighter, and he’s coming off of a shoulder injury. They’re going to see how good he really is August 20th.”

Edwin started boxing in 2001 and he developed into one of the top amateurs in the United States, compiling a solid 84-9 record, including gold-medal performances in the 2005 USA Boxing National Championships and 2006 U.S. National Golden Gloves Tournament. Rodriguez, who has dual citizenship in the U.S. and Dominican Republic, became the first Massachusetts boxer to win the middleweight title at the Nationals since “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler in 1973.

TheBroadway Boxing co-feature showcases the return of former WBA junior middleweight champion Joachim Alcine (32-2, 19 KOs). Also seeing action are a pair of boxers from Traietti’s hometown of Quincy –Rodriguez’ stable-mate junior lightweight Ryan “The Polish Prince” Kielczewski (10-0, 2 KOs) and junior welterweight Gabriel Duluc (1-0, 1 KO). Also scheduled to be in action are welterweight prospect Vincent Arroyo (11-1, 7 KOs), of Amherst, New York, popular, female heavyweight Sonya Lamonakis (5-0, 1 KO), fighting out of New York City, unbeaten prospect Kelvin Price (10-0, 6 KO), and New Haven super bantamweight Luis Rosa (7-0, 5 KOs). All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets for Broadway Boxing are on sale now through DiBella Entertainment, and start at only $35. Main Floor tickets are priced at $55, $75, and $125. Rear Balcony tickets are $35 and $75. Tables for groups of 10 are priced at $1,000. Tickets can be purchased by calling DiBella Entertainment: (212) 947-2577, and more information can be obtained by visiting www.dbe1.com.

Go online to www.edwinrodriguezboxing.comor www.dbe1.com for more information about Rodriguez or the Aug. 20 Broadway Boxing show.

TG4 to broadcast Henry Coyle’s WBF title fight

– Coyle V Coyena plus Hyland V Trotta Live & Exclusive on TG4 and www.tg4.tv
– Friday 12th August @ 9:30pm
– Coyle comes home for Royal Rumble in Castlebar

TG4 will provide live coverage of the WBF Light Middleweight Title fight between Henry Coyle and Italy’s Elio Cotena on a big night of boxing at The Royal Theatre, Castlebar on Friday next 12th August. The live boxing coverage, in association with Brian Peters Promotions, will begin on TG4 at 9:30pm with action from the Patrick Hyland v Fabrizio Trotta Featherweight contest at 9:40pm. This will be followed by the big world title fight between “Western Warrior” Coyle, the Chicago based Geesala native who will be taking on Elio Cotena. The fights will also be broadcast live worldwide on www.tg4.tv so that Coyle’s many fans around the world (and in the UK and US especially) can view the action as it happens.

The live boxing programme, Dornálaíocht Beo, will be presented by Micheál Ó Domhnaill with commentary and analysis by boxing guru Seán Bán Breathnach. SBB will be assisted by veteran experts Colmán Ó Flatharta and Joe Hernon. Viewers will also have the opportunity to see highlights from other fights which will be taking place on the night. There will be a host of local Mayo boxing talent on the card including an Irish title tilt for unbeaten Westport native Finbarr Eade and an eagerly anticipated all Mayo duel between John Waldron and Michael Sweeney.

In what has been a busy Summer for TG4 Spórt, Sports Editor Rónán Ó Coisdealbha said: “TG4 continues to provide Irish viewers with live sporting action on a weekly basis. We are proud to be able to provide live coverage of this world title fight to add to our busy Summer schedule which has to date included live coverage of the Tour de France, Wimbledon, Under-21 Hurling, Ladies Football Championship and many more sports events”.

Promoter Brian Peters said: “We are delighted to be working with TG4 on this event and helping to create a little piece of history as they broadcast live professional boxing for the first time. It promises to be a great night of boxing, Henry is a real fan favourite and his style always makes for exciting fights and there should be an electric atmosphere in the Royal Theatre with Henry challenging for the WBF title so close to home. Patrick Hyland is Irish boxing’s next big star, he’s unbeaten in 23 fights and on the verge of major title fights now at World and European level.

Dornalaíocht Beo will be produced for TG4 by Nemeton TV Produdctions who are based in the Ring Gaeltacht in County Waterford.

Tickets for the August 12th event priced from €30, €40, €70 and €100 are on sale from the Royal Theatre Box Office on 0818 719 300, Ticketmaster.ie / 0818 719300 and the boxers on the bill.

POPOCA TRAINS AT WILD CARD GYM, THREE HUGE SHOWS COMING UP

CHICAGO, IL (August 8, 2011) Chicago’s 8 Count Productions has announced details of three sensational action packed upcoming cards, the launching of its new website and the re-locating of junior welterweight prospect Ivan Popoca to the famed Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, California.

On Friday, August 26th, 8 Count in association with Golden Boy Promotions presents SOLO BOXEO TECATE/WINDY CITY LIVE 18 headlined by a fantastic main event featuring undefeated junior welterweight prospects, Chicago’s Adrian “EL Tigre” Granados and Frankie Gomez of East Los Angeles, California. Also seeing action is popular local welterweight Jaime Herrera.

Next up on Saturday, September 10th, 8 Count Productions returns to the Par-A-Dice Casino in Peoria, Illinois for another evening of world class professional boxing including hard hitting middleweight prospect Donatas Bondoravas and the highly anticipated pro debut of decorated amateur standout Junior Wright of Evanston, Illinois.

Rounding out the action, “The Polish Prince” Andrzej Fonfara, will be featured in the main event on Friday, September 23rd at the UIC Pavilion in front of an expected packed house of his legion of Polish supporters.

Further details on these events will be announced shortly.

8 Count Productions is also proud to announced the launching of its new website at www.8countproductions.com. With numerous fan friendly sections, the site is the home for all happenings within 8 Count Productions.

Junior welterweight prospect Ivan Popoca has relocated to Hollywood, California where he will train at the famed Wild Card Gym. With the terrific sparring and guidance he is receiving, Chicago fight fans can look forward to details of his return to the ring in the near future.

8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING, was started by Dominic Pesoli in 1998 and has consistently presented the highest quality professional boxing events in Chicagoland.

Fighters currently under the 8 Count Productions banner include; super middleweight contender Donovan George, light heavyweight Andrzej Fonfara, junior welterweight prospects Ivan Popoca, Adrian Granados and Ramiro Carrillo along with welterweights Achour Esho and Jaime Herrera.

Follow 8 Count Productions on Twitter at 8_Count and on Facebook at
“8 Count Productions.”