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When Star Boxing’s IBF #3 rated welterweight Delvin Rodriguez (24-3-2, 14KO) steps into the ring against Poland’s IBF #4 rated Rafal “Braveheart” Jackiewicz (34-8-1, 18KO) for the #1 spot in the IBF World Ratings in an official IBF Welterweight Title eliminator in Elk, Poland on Friday November 27th, Rodriguez doesn’t intend to leave any questioning in the outcome of the fight.
“I’m going to look to knock him out, or give him a beating for the entire twelve rounds we are in that ring together, so in the end there will be no question who the winner of the fight actually is.” stated Rodriguez.
“You are going to see a new Delvin Rodriguez from here on out. I am going to be much aggressive in my fights and while I won’t go into a fight just looking for a knockout, if the opportunity comes you better believe I am going to jump all over it. I am going into these fights with a more aggressive mind state, I want to hurt you, and I am going to hurt you.”
When speaking with Rodriguez or watching him train you can hear and see that he means business. Rodriguez admittedly has a very bitter taste left in his mouth from his two controversial matches against current IBF Welterweight Champion, Isaac Hlatshwayo in the last year.
“The first fight I go into his country (South Africa) for an official IBF Title eliminator and do more than enough to win a decision, even dropping him in the 9th round, but only walk away with a draw. Then we fight for the IBF Championship in August and I feel like I do even more in that fight, and he wins a split decision. I am very bitter, I should be the Champion right now and I’m not.
“I thought I was winning the fight easily and I stopped being as aggressive, and because of that he has the belt and I don’t. I learned my lesson against Hlatshwayo, unfortunately I had to learn it the hard way, but I can promise I won’t make the same mistake against Jackiewicz when we get in the ring on November 27th.”
At 29-years-old Rodriguez still has youth on his side, but knows that his time to shine in the welterweight division; which is stacked with the likes of Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, Shane Mosley, Andre Berto, Miguel Cotto and Hlatshwayo; is now.
“The welterweight division is the hottest division in boxing right now. From the up and coming prospects to the contenders and champions, there are just so many good fighters in this division. That being said I am in the prime of my career and I don’t think any of those guys are better or more hungry than me.”
But with such big fights on the horizon, Rodriguez knows that the most important thing right now is to come away from Poland with a victory.
“Jackiewicz is a very good, and very skilled fighter,” says Rodriguez. “If anyone thinks I am looking past him they are very wrong. I am focused on one thing and one thing only and that’s beating Jackiewicz and becoming the number one challenger.
“I have had one of the best training camps of my life and know I will be heading to Poland in top shape ready to come away with the victory. He hasn’t lost in over four years, and he has never been stopped before. I’d like to be, and plan on being the first person to do it.”
Rodriguez vs. Jackiewicz will be promoted by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing in association with Bullit Knockout Promotions.
