Hot Boxing Prospect Rodriguez Coming Off Search And Destroy Mission

When undefeated prospect Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez drilled veteran George “The Rooster” Armenta with a lethal left hook to the body, stopping their ESPN Friday Night Fights bout at 47-seconds of the opening round, many boxing fans had memories of another New England boxer famous for his left hook, “Irish” Micky Ward.

“It was a perfect shot,” Rodriguez described the aforementioned hook. “Micky Ward was so good at it and I’ve been practicing to get better. As soon as I hit him, I knew that he was hurt. I held back with the right but I knew he’s strong and, if he came back, I was going to take him out.”

Rodriguez (14-0, 10 KOs), fighting out of Worcester (MA), made his nationally televised debut March 19 against Armenta (13-6, 11 KOs), who had knocked out 2000 U.S. Olympian Dante Craig and extended current WBA light middleweight champion Yuri Foreman and top contender Sechew Powell the full distance. Armenta had never been floored before, never mind stopped, until he was cracked by the Dominican Republic-born super middleweight Rodriguez.

“I did break a sweat,” Rodriguez jokingly said about the 47-second stoppage, “but in the locker room before I came out to the ring. I’m here for the long run, though, and will be world champion. I’m well-grounded; I don’t get carried away about what’s said about me being a top prospect or fighting on national television. I need to continue working hard. I’m traveling a long road to become world champion. I want to improve every fight.”

Rodriguez, the 2005 USA Boxing National Championships and 2006 U.S. National Golden Gloves Tournament gold medalist, will be back in action April 30 against Kevin Engel (17-2, 14 KOs). Edwin will be fighting for the first time on a ShoBox: The New Generation card in an 8-round co-feature.

Rodriguez is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, managed by Elite Management (Larry Army), and trained by Peter Manfredo, Sr.