CES Boxing: “La Bomba” Rodriguez Faces Darnell Boone Saturday

ByBoxing Press

Unbeaten prospect Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez steps up in class this weekend to headline “Saturday Afternoon Special” against veteran Darnell Boone in an 8-round super middleweight bout at the Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, R.I.

The power-packed “Saturday Afternoon Special” card is a rare matinee show (2 PM/ET start), promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES), in association with Twin River, Banner Promotions, Star Boxing and DiBella Entertainment.

The Dominican Republic-born Rodriguez (11-0, 8 KOs), fighting out of Worcester (MA), is a 2-time national amateur champion. Featured in the current issue of The Ring magazine, Edwin’s most significant pro victories to date have been against Patrick Thompson and Marcus Upshaw.

Boone (16-12-2, 6 KOs) is an upset specialist who has already knocked off four previously undefeated prospects and defeated solid opponents such as Rasheem Brown, Calvin Green, Louis Turner and Jesus Gonzalez.

Darnell has also gone the distance with present WBC light heavyweight title-holder Jean Pascal, 2004 Olympic gold medalist Andre Ward (Boone decked him), The Contender star Brian Vera, Fernando Zuniga, Anthony Thompson, Enrique Omelas and Curtis Stevens.

“Give Team Rodriguez a lot of credit for taking this risky fight,” promoter Jimmy Burchfield said. “Edwin’s a classy kid who has all the ingredients of a future world champion. Boone has given some world-class fighters a lot of trouble, but Rodriguez wants to fight guys like Boone in order to improve.”

2008 U.S. Olympian Demetrius “The Extinguisher” Andrade (7-0, 6 KOs), a former World amateur champion, fights in the 6-round co-feature versus another undefeated prospect Chris Chatman (4-0, 2 KOs).

Providence super middleweight Vladine Biosse (3-0, 3 KOs), former University of Rhode Island football player, meets Tafari Lawton (1-0) in a 4-round bout.

Light welterweight Simeon Dunwell (9-1, 2 KOs) faces David Marquez (5-6-1, 1 KO) in a 6-round bout. Also fighting on the undercard in 4-round fights are Hartford junior middleweight David Bauza (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Khristian Geraci (4-6-1, 3 KOs).

New Haven light welterweight Edwin Soto (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Darrell Jones (2-2, 1 KO) and Providence light welterweight Jesus Caro (4-0, 4 KOs) vs. Damien Butler (0-1). All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Rollback ticket prices for “Saturday Afternoon Special” are $25.00, $35.00, $50.00, $100.00 ($15.00 redeemable free play at Twin River), and limited $150.00 Jimmy’s Platinum Club ($25.00 redeemable free play at Twin River), and are available to purchase by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254), going online at www.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com, at Twin River’s Players Club booth at Twin River, or any TicketMaster location.

Contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com ) or the Twin River Event Center (877.82.RIVER/ www.twinriver.com ) for more information. Doors open at 1 PM/ET, first bout at 2 PM/ET.

Twin River has waived its 18+ rule for “Saturday Afternoon Special.” Anybody under the age of 18 must be accompanied at all times by an adult and they must enter through the West entrance.