Veteran boxing trainer Peter Manfredo, Sr. has only worked less than a year with unbeaten middleweight prospect Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez, but the experienced cornerman is high on his former two-time national amateur champion.

Rodriguez faces Brad Austin, 8-5 (2), this Saturday night, January 17, in his first scheduled eight round bout on the off-televised HBO undercard, headlined by the Andre Berto-Luis Collazo WBC welterweight title fight, at the Beau Rivage Resort Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi.

The Dominican Republic-born Rodriguez, 8-0 (5), who fights out of Worcester, MA, often sparred with world title challengers Peter Manfredo, Jr. and Elvin Ayala, as well as Jessie Brinkley, since his last fight August 20 when he won all six rounds against Marcus Upshaw.

“There’s been a complete turnout,” Manfredo explained what’s been happening with him and Rodriguez the past four months. “I had to put in his mind that he needs to stand strong with his head high and to throw body punches by stepping to the side. He’s not where we want him to be, yet, but he’s improved.

"I want him thinking that defense is a responsibility in order to last in this game. We’ve worked on him being good defensively and it’s slowly coming around. I became his head trainer eight months ago to get him to the next level. We’ve reached a happy medium. He’s learning to use range with his long arms. Everything works off the jab and Edwin’s technique is improved to where he’s throwing good jabs and hooking off the jab to the body and head.

“The best thing about him is he’s a real good kid. He’s clean; hard worker and very respectful. The road is long and there are no guarantees for anybody in this game but, what I really like is his desire to work. He has that long range. He’s strong and has a good chin, too.

"Edwin’s a quick learner. Like with the jab, he’s learning why to use it, to set up combinations and use his range to keep his opponent off balance. I want his jab to control his opponent, which will make fights a lot easier for him.”

For more information about the 23-year-old Rodriguez go online to www.edwinrodriguezboxing.com.

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