Yay Daddy!

Saturday, March 29, 2008
Rodriguez sends North south in win

Worcester fighter pitches shutout, improves to 3-0

SALAMANCA, N.Y.— It was a good workout against a ring-savvy veteran, but it was also no contest once again for Worcester middleweight Edwin Rodriguez.

The 22-year-old prospect improved to 3-0 by pounding out a unanimous four-round decision over 33-year-old James North of Weston, W. Va., before about 10,000 pro-Rodriguez fans last night at the sold-out Seneca Allegheny Casino & Hotel.

North’s record dropped to 8-20-2, but he became the first opponent to avoid being knocked out by Rodriguez, although he was knocked down about midway through the fourth round.


All three judges scored the fight 40-35 as Rodriguez pitched a shutout, winning the last round by a 10-8 margin because of the knockdown. Rodriguez dominated throughout, and administered an especially savage pounding after North got up from the knockdown until the final bell.

“I caught him with a good shot,” said Rodriguez, who hit North with an overhand right after setting it up with a pair of jabs. “After that, the ref could have stopped it, but he didn’t. The guy was able to survive. He tried to hold me and it went the distance. It was a good learning experience being in there with a guy who’s had 30 pro fights. It was another step.”

Larry Army Jr., Rodriguez’s manager, said his fighter would benefit from the experience.

“The kid we fought was definitely a survivor,” Army said. “He knew how to work the ring and how to hold on when he had to hold on. Once again, it was an opportunity for Edwin to learn something. It was a veteran versus a novice, really, and we were able to take away a lot from this fight.”

“I had him hurt,” Rodriguez added, “but he had a lot of experience, so he knew how to hang in there. But I’m happy with the decision.”

It was Rodriguez’s first fight under his new trainer, Peter Manfredo Sr., and the former two-time national amateur champion said he felt the benefits.

“I felt great,” he said. “I felt like I could have gone 8 or 10 rounds. I’m in good shape.”

Next for Rodriguez are four-rounders scheduled for April 12 at The Roxy in Boston and May 3 at the Coeur d’Alene Casino in Worley, Idaho. Then, Army said, his fighter will graduate to six rounds on a May 17 card at the IBFW Union Hall in Dorchester.

“I’m looking forward to fighting back home on the 12th with all my fans there,” Rodriguez said, although Army said the crowd in New York “warmed up” to Rodriguez early and made it seem almost like a home crowd.

Army said the fighter’s new Web site is open at www.edwinrodriguezboxing.com.