Fresh off his destruction of previously unbeaten Jason
Escalera last Saturday night, undefeated Dominican Edwin "La
Bomba" Rodriguez (22-0, 15 KOs) is targeting world champions
and top 10 contenders in the super middleweight division.
The only problem for Rodriguez last Saturday evening was getting
glitter from Escalera's trunks off his face.
"I'm ready to fight the best at 168-pounds," Rodriguez said. "I
wanted to make a major statement in my last fight and did. I've
feel that I've earned a world title shot. I trust my
promoter, Lou DiBella, and manager, Larry Army, to get my
world title shot as soon as possible. I'll fight anybody they put
in the ring with me, whether it's a world champion, or a top
contender. My time is now."
Having gained invaluable experience sparring with the likes of
past and present world champions such as Carl Froch, Chad
Dawson, Daniel Geale, and Jean Pascal, the 27-year-old
Rodriguez has developed into a complete fighter in the past year
working with head coach Ronnie Shields in his last four
fights.
The super middleweight division is still somewhat muddled. World
Boxing Council (WBC)/World Boxing Association (WBA) World champion
Andre Ward is clearly the contemporary King who has options to
pick-and-choose his next opponent. However, if the WBC strips him
for also being the WBA champion, something that governing body has
threatened to do, Rodriguez could be involved in a box-off as the
No. 3 contender along with relatively unknown Nikola
Sjekloca ranked No. 1, one spot ahead of veteran Sakio
Bika.
International Boxing Federation (IBF) title-holder Froch has his
dance card full with a title defense November 17 vs. Yusaf
Mack, followed by a contractually required rematch in the spring
with the former champion he defeated for the crown, Lucian
Bute, and later next year a mandatory against the winner of the
October 12th IBF title eliminator between Adonis
Stevenson and Donovan George. (Rodriguez defeated George
this past March by 10-round unanimous decision for the United
States Boxing Association championship.)
Therefore, the most likely title shot opportunity for Rodriguez,
at least in the immediate future, is December 15 against World
Boxing Organization (WBO) champion Arthur Abraham in
Germany.
"We're confident in traveling to Germany to fight Abraham,"
Rodriguez' manager Larry Army remarked, "as long as it's broadcast
in America in case there's questionable judging. We believe Edwin
is ready right now to face any of the world champions. If we're
unable to secure a world title shot, we want to fight the best
available top 10 contender like Jermain
Taylor or Kelly Pavlik, and even Andy Lee would
make for a good fight.
"Edwin has fought three B+ fighters in his last three fights -
Will Rosinsky, George and Escalera. Edwin is always looking to
challenge himself and he's approaching his peak. He is ready to
make his mark in the super middleweight division."
04/10/2012 22:46:25