Turning Stone Boxing: Rodriguez Living The American Dream

his Saturday night at the Turning Stone Casino and Resort, undefeated Middleweight prospect, Isaac Rodriguez will look to capture the WBC/USNBC championship when he tussles with Samuel Miller in a twelve round main event that will highlight a seven bout card.

Rodrigues of Brazil moved to the city of Belem at the age of seventeen where he took up boxing. Unlike most boys in the South American country, Rodrigues has no aspirations of being a soccer star.

Rodrigues has an uncle who was a boxer and that facilitated him, towards the sport and he amassed a amateur record of 51-4.

Rodrigues was inspired by Brazilian mega-star Acelino “Popo” Freitas and his uncle had a relationship with famed trainer Oscar Suarez, who ironically trained Freitas and the connection was made for Rodrigues to further his career in the United States.

Rodrigues won his first eight professional bouts in his native Brazil before making his American debut on April 28, 2007 on the undercard of Freitas unification showdown with Juan Diaz.

“There are not of experienced fighters in Brazil”, said Rodrigues. “I have learned a lot from every fight and fighter that I see”, continued Rodrigues, who describes his style as a fan friendly boxer/counter-puncher.

Rodrigues won three straight in the United States before heading back to Brazil. Just months after Rodrigues won the WBO Latino championship, unfortunately for Rodriguez, Suarez passed away.

Luckily Rodrigues had a strong team behind him as Suarez’ wife Marie took over reigns as the manager. “I have been around the sport for twenty-three years doing everything in the background”, said Marie Suarez. “I understand the business. If I were a fighter, I would be a world champion”

“I know that Isaac is world championship material and we feel that we have a very sellable product. He is a very good kid and extremely humble and we believe he has what it takes to go all the way.”

New trainer Francisco Guzman has been brought in to work with Rodrigues and the soon to be twenty-six year old continues to get better every day.

Working with Marie Suarez is long time and respected boxing man, Dave Escalet. “This is a big fight to see where Isaac fits in the middleweight division”, Said Escalet.

“With the new trainer, we are taking this one fight at a time and we think that by the end of 2011, Isaac will be ready for anybody in the top-ten”

When Rodrigues is not training, he spends his time in his adopted home of West Berlin, New Jersey where he likes to cook, play cards and watch American Football.

In the exciting co-feature, local favorite Brian Miller will take on Ikem Orji in an eight round Junior Welterweight bout.

Miller of Schenectady, New York is undefeated with a record 8-0-4 with three knockouts and is known as a hard working customer who will fight anybody at anytime.

Miller has signature wins over Broderick Antoine and a split decision win over Danny McDermott (8-1-1). He is coming off a draw with tough Italian Floriano Pagliara (10-4) on September 11.

Orji of Laurel, Maryland via Nigeria has a record of 6-3 with two knockouts. Like Miller, Orji is willing to fight anyone with close losses to prospects Anthony Flores (6-0); Isaac Suarez (6-0).

Orji scored a mild upset when he scored a fourth round stoppage over Andrew Farmer (13-1) this past March 6th. Orji dropped his last bout as he lost a unanimous decision to Rod Salka (11-0).

The rest of the card features some very good local prospects.

In a six round Welterweight bout, Kenny Abril (9-3-1, 5 KO’s) of Rochester, NY takes on Francisco Ginorio (7-6-2, 2 KO’s) of Palm Bay, Florida.

In a six round ladies Featherweight attraction, Jackie Trivilino (4-2-1, 1 KO) of Pittsburgh, NY takes on Jennifer Scott (2-2, 2 KO’s) of Warren, Ohio

In a four round Middleweight bout, Stephen Scott (4-1) of New York takes on undefeated Deferson LeGrand (3-0, 2 KO’s) of New York, NY. In a battle of debuting Lightweights, Jermell Tyson will tussle with IIlyas Aksabaez of Brooklyn, NY.

Rounding out the card will be Cruiserweight Brian Clookey (2-0, 1 KO) of Chase Mills, NY will take on Rayshawn Myers (2-4, 2 KO’s) of Cleveland, OH.

Tickets for this great night of boxing are just $30, $45 & $55 and can be purchased at The Showroom Box office by calling 1-888-833-SHOW (7469) and all Ticketmaster outlets by calling 315-472-0700.

The entire fight card can be viewed LIVE worldwide on www.gofightlive.tv