Delvin Rodriguez’s life as a 32-year-old world ranked prizefighter, father and son looks to add another title on Saturday, June 2nd, as he gets a second chance to a lifetime goal, being called a ‘world champion’. Although known as one of boxing’s true warriors with a recent five-year span facing only the toughest fights in the welterweight and now junior middleweight divisions, Rodriguez gets a second opportunity to become a world champion, a title he’s worked towards since he was 10 years old when he had his first amateur bout..
With a huge crowd expected at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California and a SHOWTIME televised audience, Rodriguez will challenge WBA Junior Middleweight World Champion Austin Trout over twelve rounds.
Rodriguez first fought for the world title on August 1, 2009, against Isaac Hlatshwayo at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut. The bout for the IBF Welterweight Title, seemingly was won by Rodriguez over the twelve rounds as he controlled the action throughout only to be disappointed by the split decision loss.
Promoted by Star Boxing for most of his career, Rodriguez typifies fighters from a different era; with no tune-ups or “stay busy” fights on his ledger.
“Delvin has been terrific to promote. He’s always challenged himself with each bout to face the highest ranked guy available, a fight that could lead to a world title bout. For him it’s all about getting that world title belt and the fans and TV networks have been the recipients of numerous excellent battles he’s been involved in,” said Joe DeGuardia, President of Star Boxing.
Sporting a battle tested record of 26-5-3 with fourteen knockouts, Rodriguez has appeared on ESPN Friday Night Fights eleven times in numerous, action packed fights against other world ranked contenders.
On Wednesday, June 6th, Rodriguez will be honored by the esteemed Boxing Writer’s Association of America with a nod to his “Fight of the Year” against popular Polish and world ranked junior middleweight Pawel Wolak at Roseland Ballroom in New York City on July 15, 2011.
In a bout promoted by Star Boxing and televised on ESPN Friday Night Fights, Rodriguez and Wolak engaged in a fistic battle that fans will remember for a lifetime. Despite it being his first bout at junior middleweight, Rodriguez was able to control the pace and successfully counter punch the overly aggressively bull-rushing style of Wolak.
The bout featured non-stop two way action amid a packed house of over 2,500 New York City fight fans who stood and cheered throughout, Rodriguez and Wolak emptied their tanks during each three minute round.
With the bout declared a draw, Rodriguez was determined, “I thought I won and I want to fight him again next” he stated in ring during the post fight TV interview.
Said DeGuardia, “It’s a testament to Delvin’s character that being involved in that type of draining, intense battle and that he’d want an immediate rematch. But Delvin thought he won and wanted to prove to the fans who watched that he could beat Wolak again, and more convincingly.”
“So for weeks afterwards Delvin was calling me wanting the rematch. And while I’m working on it I bring up perhaps a bout in between, not a tune up, but just a different opponent, but he wanted Wolak again. “
Continued Rodriguez, “I wasn’t interested in facing anyone else. Nothing had been resolved in the first fight so I wanted an opportunity to beat him, which I clearly did the second time. I had no interest in taking a sideways step for a different fight, I wanted to keep moving forward and that would mean beating Wolak.”
“It really speaks loudly that he wanted to face Wolak right away. The first bout was such a hard battle, but he wanted to start ‘Round 11’ right away,” continued DeGuardia.
“The rematch took place at Madison Square Garden on December 3rd on the HBO Pay Per View broadcast of the Cotto/Margarito rematch, a perfect opportunity to show Delvin again. Delvin would get his rematch on the biggest stage in boxing.”
Stated Rodriguez, ‘It really was a groundswell of support from the fans and media, particularly on the East Coast. They demanded the rematch and I was honored to have it take place at Madison Square Garden on such a terrific card.”
In the rematch in front of a loud and boisterous packed house of over 22,000 fans, Rodriguez fought beautifully and brutally, working each round behind a terrific jab and excellent overhand rights. Scores at the end of the ten rounder were all in favor of Rodriguez, earning him the unanimous decision (100-90, 98-91, 98-92). Most impressive was, in spite of being substantially and clearly ahead, Rodriguez put on an unforgettable final round performance, brutally battering Wolak, and leaving nothing in the ring.
“I sat down on my punches more and really hurt him early in the fight. As soon as the final round started I wanted to finish him off, I didn’t want to leave it in the judges hands” said Rodriguez.
Stated DeGuardia, “It’s always a special night having your fighter win at The Garden and Delvin looked sensational. The two fights really were indicative of Delvin’s career; a true warrior.”
“Consequently it moved him up in the WBA rankings and now he’s got a second shot at a world title against Trout and he’s more than ready.”
“For fans of Delvin there’s not much for me to say, they already know about the warrior and person that he is. For those unfamiliar to him or his career, the best thing I can say is buy a ticket or tune in to the SHOWTIME broadcast on June 2nd. He’s a special fighter and he’s got a second chance at his dream.”
Concluded Rodriguez, “My life is my career, my goal has always been to win a world title and that’s my plan for June 2nd.”
Tickets are on sale for as low as $25, with VIP floor seats priced at $200. Other tickets in the 8,000-seat outdoor stadium are priced at $50 and $100. Fans can purchase tickets at AXS.com or by phone at 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849), as well as The Home Depot Center Box Office (open Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. PT). VIP Suites are available for purchase by calling 1-877-604-8777. For more information on group discounts or VIP packages, please call 1-877-234-8425.
“Four Warned” features former Light Heavyweight World Champion Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver (29-6, 20 KO’s) facing unbeaten Lateef Kayode (18-0, 14 KO’s) in a 12-round cruiserweight fight, former undisputed junior middleweight kingpin Winky Wright (51-5-1, 25 KO’s) returning to the ring to meet undefeated Peter Quillin (26-0, 20 KO’s) in a middleweight bout, Austin Trout (24-0, 14 KO’s) risking his perfect record and WBA Super Welterweight belt against Delvin Rodriguez (26-5-3, 14 KO’s) and IBF number one rated bantamweight contender Vusi Malinga (20-3, 12 KO’s) facing IBF number five rated contender Leo Santa Cruz (19-0-1, 11 KO’s) for the vacant IBF bantamweight title. All four bouts will be telecast on Saturday, June 2, live on SHOWTIME® (9:00 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. “Four Warned” is presented by A.T. Entertainment, Golden Boy Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions with Trout vs. Rodriguez being presented in association with Greg Cohen Promotions and Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing and Malinga vs. Santa Cruz being presented in association with Branco Sports Productions. The event is sponsored by Corona and AT&T.
For information on SHOWTIME Sports, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, visit the website athttp://sports.SHO.com.
Lucero Replaces Sanchez; will battle Diaz at “Battle at the Boat 87”!
Lucero Challenged Pacquiao for Title
Tacoma, WA (May 24, 2012) – Contender Emmanuel Lucero has stepped in to face unbeaten rising star Joel Diaz Saturday, June 2 at the Emerald Queen Casino as part of Halquist Productions’ “Battle at the Boat 87” card in Tacoma, WA.
A former world title challenger, Lucero made national headlines in 2003 when he faced boxing legend Manny Pacquiao for the IBF super bantamweight championship on HBO. Lucero, a gutsy fighter with a never-say-die attitude, fought his heart out but the Filipino icon stopped him in the third round. Aside from Pacquiao, then 36-2-1, Lucero, 26-10-1 (14 KO’s), faced a who’s who of pugilists.
The ten foes that beat him including Daniel Ponce De Leon (22-0), Rocky Juarez (25-3), Valdemier Pereira (17-0), Patrick Hyland (24-0), Jorge Diaz (14-0) and Diego Magdaleno (20-0), had an astonishing combined record of 204-6-1 when they faced Lucero. The Scranton, PA based Mexican also holds impressive wins over former world champion Juan Polo Perez and contenders Frankie Archuleta, Rogers Mtagwa and Alvin Brown.
“These kinds of things happen in boxing,” promoter Brian Halquist said of the withdrawal. “Sometimes the replacement fight ends up being much better; and that is certainly the case in this situation. I’m glad we were able to get a suitable replacement and one that has a reputation for making great fights. Plus he has fought the best fighter on the planet, not to mention everybody and anybody along the way. I thank Emmanuel Lucero for his willingness to take on a bright young star like Joel Diaz on short notice. This has the making of one of the best fights we have had in a long while.”
Lucero and Palmdale, CA’s Diaz, meet in the ten round main event.
Appearing in separate undercard bouts are crowd favorites Nate Serrano, Sarah Pucek, Marcellno Pindeda, Josh Hewson and Jesus Partida.
Tickets from $25 are on sale at all Ticketmaster outlets or by visiting the EQC box office.
Doors open at 6 pm and the opening bell is scheduled for 7.
During the last 23 years, Halquist Productions built a reputation in the boxing world for their loyalty, honesty and integrity. In 1997, Halquist Productions ran their inaugural “Battle at the Boat” series, which remains successful to this day. Halquist Productions promoted many world title bouts and their fight cards have been seen on ESPN, HBO and Showtime.
Baltimore-Philadelphia match-up set for June 8!
Baltimore, MD (May 24, 2012) – Jake Smith of Baltimore Boxing Promotions announced that his team of rising stars will challenge Philadelphia’s brightest young boxers in an Olympic Style tournament Friday, June 8 at the Du Burns Arena in Baltimore, MD.
Tickets starting at $25 and VIP tables of 10 from $500 are available on Baltimoreboxing.com or by calling 410-375-9175.
A longtime promoter, gym owner and trainer, Smith’s created a buzz in boxing circles by matching Team Baltimore with a squad from the Annapolis Naval Academy and twice against the City of Pittsburgh. In the aforementioned match-ups, Team Baltimore is 3-0, with each fight card taking place in front of a packed house.
“Fans are fascinated with the local rivalry angle,” stated Smith, who was a popular prizefighter in the Old Line State and currently trains many of the June 8 participants at the Baltimore Boxing & Fitness Gym. “The professional sports leagues have promoted this for years and it’s been a longtime goal of mine to do city vs city in boxing. I’m fortunate to work with some great people in other cities who’ve helped make these events a reality. To be honest, it’s no different than in basketball, baseball or football, because the crowd shows great pride for their city and the attendance has been outstanding.”
Topping the card is an East Coast title bout between rising star Jerome Featherstone and Darius Vann. A former standout wrestler at the University of Oklahoma, Featherstone served in the Marines following his college graduation. Prior to his colligate days Featherstone starred on the mat at the illustrious Boys Latin High School. Inside the squared circle, the Joppa resident and Baltimore native is yet to lose.
“This kid is one of the most amazing athletes I’ve ever seen,” stated Smith, who promoted top pros from Maryland, DC and Virginia in years past. He’s got excellent skill and if he was boxing all of his life, I have no doubt that he’d be on everybody’s list of top young fighters.”
In addition to the Featherstone-Vann match-up, there will be 11 Olympic Style bouts featuring each squad’s top talent.
All bouts are sanctioned by USA Boxing.
The Du Burns Arena is located at 1301 S. Elwood Ave in Baltimore. Doors open at 6:30 and the first bout is slated for 8 pm.