Will “La Bomba” Get Step Up Fight Against Pavlik?

ByCorey Quincy

After two big wins against American contenders Jason Escalera and Donovan George on HBO cards, Dominican-American fighter Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez, (22-0-0 15 KO’s), is confident about taking a large step up in his next fight.

Following the Escalera win on August 29, where Rodriguez put on a tremendous showing of power and grit over eight dominant rounds while producing his first stoppage in over a year, the Worcester, Massachusetts man called out former Middleweight Champion and top Super Middleweight Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik.

The Escalera fight proved that Rodriguez is indeed ready for fighting at world class level but reasonably, the idea of Pavlik vs. Rodriguez is producing mixed emotions given that Rodriguez is younger and faster but Kelly Pavlik is still a tough and world class opponent, so in the end, I see this fight as very interesting.

A man who has fought both Pavlik and Rodriguez, Will “Power” Rosinsky, feels rather differently.

“While it would be a good fight, and he [Rodriguez] can get in there and brawl, Pavlik’s experience would be a major factor,” said Rosinsky.

Rosinsky speculates on the origins of a bout between Rodriguez and Pavlik, saying, “It’s like a puppet thing, we saw [Promoter] Lou DiBella whispering in his {Rodriguez’s] ear during the [post-fight] interview”.

In the meantime, Rosinsky was also asked what is next for him and he says he will be back later this year, November or December, but is focused on his wedding for now, on which we congratulate him.

It also should be noted that Rosinsky lost decisions to both Rodriguez and Pavlik. The Rodriguez fight was extremely close with Rodriguez’s boxing just edging it, although many people thought Rosinsky won. The Pavlik fight was wider as Rosinsky hit the canvas once and was beaten with the harder shots but still, in the end, gave a solid effort.

The 30 year old Pavlik, (40-2-0 34 KO’s), has been quoted in media statements saying that he feels there are bigger fights out there and doesn’t have that much interest in a Rodriguez bout, although maybe a good payday could change that.

Plus, with all the hype, I wouldn’t count out “The Ghost” changing his mind. For now, Edwin will stay on the grind, facing contenders that will allow him to steadily climb up the ladder to a world title shot.

Corey Quincy is a freelance boxing journalist who can also be found on his personal site www.Blboxing.com, on Twitter @Quincyboxingfan and on his Facebook page at Boxing Legends ( https://www.facebook.com/BoxingLegends?fref=ts )