Exclusive Boxing Interview: David Rodriguez
David Rodriguez is a six foot five, 28 year old heavyweight prospect working his way up through the ranks. The native of El Paso, Texas is undefeated in 20 fights, 19 of which were finished inside the distance and 18 of those were in the first round but right now few fans outside of the American Southwest know about Mr. Rodriguez. That should change soon as he’s made enough noise in the last two or three years to be heard for years to come if he can keep steamrolling his opposition.
SB: You hold the Texas and New Mexico State Heavyweight titles but such belts are not generally recognizable to most boxing fans abroad and some people may try discounting your record due to the level of opposition that you have faced. What would you say to such people?
DR: “Everything is a process and I take everything in steps. It’s a crazy business!”
SB: To those of us that don’t know or maybe have never seen you.how would you open our eyes up to all that is David Rodriguez the boxer?
DR: “I just want to bring back some excitement to the heavyweight division. My record is more than I would have ever dreamed of when I first started. I came totally under the radar.”
SB: You dramatically stopped all but two of your opponents inside of the first round and you won both of your titles that way as well. What would you say that your specialty shot is? What punch ends it inside of a round for David Rodriguez?
DR: “I would say it’s my speed and explosiveness. I get from point A to point B quick. My favorite punch is whatever I catch him with (lol).”
SB: What was your amateur career like?
DR: “I’ve been boxing since I was five years old, but played other sports growing up. I didn’t get focused on boxing till I turned pro. I just had a handful of amateur fights.”
SB: Has there been anyone in sparring that you wouldn’t want to face without the headgear?
DR: “I wouldn’t even attempt to try to box if I was going to dodge anyone.”
SB: You seem unstoppable on paper and fought five times in 2003 and four times in 2004; is constantly staying busy possibly a factor for you? Besides blowing everyone out of the ring the minute you climb through the ropes…what’s the secret?
DR: “My manager would disagree, he wants much more out of me. There is no secret except I work really hard and stay close to God.”
SB: You’ve been spotlighted by ESPN as one of the top ten heavies under the age of 30 and you’ve also been featured in Ring Magazine’s prospects section in their winter 2005 issue; how has that affected you?
DR: “It hasn’t at all. I just feel lucky to be doing what I love, in my youth, but I actually gasped when I saw it!”
SB: ESPN has you in there with names like Sam Peter, Wlad Klitschko and Owen Beck to name a few. That must be an honor….
DR: “Yes a complete honor, all of them have my respect.”
SB: You’re currently ranked #14 by the NABF; how far away are you from a title shot?
DR: “Not far at all, I would imagine.”
SB: Is there anyone out there that you really want to take a shot at? Any of the big boys that you think would taste the canvas via your fists?
DR: “There is no one particular, I just know they all have chins to be hit.”
SB: From what I have gathered from your web-site you seem to be a pretty grounded individual. Your family and faith seems to dictate your direction in life but have any of your family members ever have issues with you being a boxer?
DR: “Sometimes they do. I just live life to the beat of my own drum”
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SB: Tell us about your trainer Louie Burke and your manager Bob Spagnola. You three all seem to have a heck of a fighting relationship. They were both fighters previously?
DR: “Yes.”
SB: When you’re done in the ring, do you sit around and watch boxing or is it best to leave work at work and not come home with it?
DR: “I love to watch boxing, I’m a student above all. Sometimes I must admit, I rather watch something else to get my mind off boxing.”
SB: Oscar De La Hoya has been quoted as saying this about you…”When you look at David’s record you might assume all his opponents were easy, but I tend to think it points more to him being a devastating puncher. Make no mistake about it, he is a big time puncher.” How did it feel getting such a compliment from Oscar and would you have any interest in being recruited by Golden Boy as maybe one of the building blocks of his organization or are you fairly satisfied where you are?
DR: “Oscar is class in boxing to me. A compliment from him means a lot to me. I can see us working together in the future if things work out right.”
SB: No one in the top 20 has stats that even remotely come close to comparing to yours. Not even in the last 5 or 6 years to my knowledge, not Lewis, not Tua, not the Klitschkos, not Ibeabuchi. No one in the division has a running streak of first round stoppages like you do, so when are you going to crack the division? It seems like all you would need is one shot and do you feel like you might be ready for that one shot in the near future?
DR: “I know when I fight these guys it’s gonna take more than one shot for the most part. These guys got to their mark respectfully. I leave the future in God’s hands and try not to think of it so much…otherwise I will lose my sanity.”
SB: Out of the top 10 in your division, how do you think that you would fare against each of the big names at the top?
DR: “Let’s just put it this way, they are all tough skilled guys whom I will prepare for
individually when the time comes.”
SB: In your view is the heavyweight division really all that bad or do you think that it’s a result of the fighters not wanting to branch out and fight each other?
DR: “Truthfully, the business end is horrible. I believe the division is strong, it’s just that the guys have a slower pace now, but all are very strong. They are bigger these days.”
SB: When you were coming up, who did you look up to? Who was the fighter or fighters that inspired you and helped mold your style?
DR: “I loved Mike Tyson. Who didn’t?”
SB: You’ve been a pro for seven going on eight years now but do you ever have any moments that you regret choosing boxing as your career or do you feel like this is what you were put on this earth to do?
DR: “I truly believe in what I can do.”
SB: Has there been anyone out there so far that has touched you with anything that either wobbled you or you knew good and well that you had been caught?
DR: “Everybody gets hurt, no exceptions to the rule.”
SB: What advice would you give to the young bucks out there training hard before they step up into the game?
DR: “Whatever your heart wants, go for it. Just don’t neglect school.”
SB: Outside of boxing is there anything else that “Nino” puts his heart, mind, body and soul into as far as a hobby or pastime? What do you do for fun and entertainment?
DR: “I just love to be with my friends back home, we are all spread out now, but we still all get together, usually at my fights. I’m just trying to make the best of what I got and enjoy every day, one day at a time.”
SB: David, thank you for your time, your patience and your honesty. We wish you nothing but the best of luck on your upcoming match.
DR: “Thank you.”