In less than a month, for his scheduled fight on Friday, June 3 in Hollywood, Florida, WBA #4, Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Rodriguez (14-0, 10 KO’s) from Vega Baja, Puerto Rico feels more than ready on facing Mexico’s Victor ‘Pitufo’ Proa ( 28-1-2, 21 KO’s) in a bout that will broadcast live on Spike.
Rodriguez-Proa is a 10 round bout in the bantamweight division, and will take place at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. In the main event, IBF Lightweight world titleholder, Rances Barthelemy will face Mickey Bey.
“Since late December, I started training but my trainer Jim Pagan forced me to rest so I can avoid overtraining because I need to be in excellent shape on fight night” said Emmanuel Rodriguez.
“I will feel mentally and physically ready for any opponent. Lee Haskins (IBF Champion) and Jamie McDonnell (regular WBA champion), both did not wanted to risk their titles against me. I was willing to travel to England and challenge any of them, but it is what it is, and now I’m fighting a tough Mexican who comes to fight, and has good power in his punches”.
“The good thing about opponents like Proa is that to beat them, you’ll have to use all of your tools, and have the capacity to adjust to any situation he may bring, but at the end of the day, this is going to be a typical Puerto Rico versus Mexico war”.
In his young career, Rodriguez has notable victories over world title contenders, David Quijano of Puerto Rico, and Luis Hinojosa of the Dominican Republic by unanimous decision and KO in the third round respectively.
Also the undefeated Puerto Rican has victories over former rising prospects, Miguel ‘No Fear’ Cartagena of Philadelphia, who was knocked out in the first round, and last November, Rodriguez TKO in the seventh round, tought Dominican, Eliecer Aquino in a bout televised by ESPN.
At 118 pounds, Rodriguez is ranked #4 WBA, # 7 WBO and # 8 in both, WBC and IBF.
* Historical Data * Emmanuel Rodriguez is the first Puerto Rican boxer to win gold medal in the Youth Olympic Games ( Sinpagur 2010 ).
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