Boxing is like chess for unbeaten Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez.
The 26-year-old Dominican Republic native, considered by many as the premier super middleweight prospect in the world, returns home Saturday night (Aug. 20) to headline a special edition of Broadway Boxing, presented by DiBella Entertainment, against intra-state rival and Iraq War veteran Chris Traietti (10-2, 6 KOs) at historic Mechanics Hall in Worcester (MA).
Rodriguez is a talented chess player who also has some great moves in the ring. “Chess and boxing are similar because you have to think of your moves ahead,” Rodriguez explained. “They’re both fast-paced. You have to be able to know your next move and do it fast. I love chess. You need to know what your next move is in a second and go for it. If your strategy isn’t working, like in boxing, you need to adjust by reacting quickly. Sometimes you set-up a move – I may sacrifice my horse, but I’m really baiting you, and you react to find yourself in a checkmate position. Checkmate is the knockout punch.”
The Lou DiBella-promoted Rodriguez (18-0, 13 KOs), reigning WBC USNBC title-holder, is presently rated among the top 13 by all major governing bodies in professional boxing: International Boxing Federation (#8), World Boxing Association (#9), World Boxing Council (#12) and World Boxing Organization (#13).
“Edwin’s always loved chess,” Rodriguez’ manager Larry Army added. “Because of that we’ve had a saying, ‘you’re playing chess and they’re all playing checkers.’His mind works like that in the ring, quickly reacting to his opponent’s move, and that’s why he’s been so successful.”
Rodriguez is an avid on-line chess player. If you’d like a chance to play Edwin in a game of chess, join-up for his free newsletter (go to www.edwinrodriguezboxing.com) and challenge him. Edwin will select a few opponents to play.
Edwin started boxing in 2001 and he developed into one of the top amateurs in the United States, compiling a solid 84-9 record that included gold-medal performances in the 2005 USA Boxing National Championships and 2006 U.S. National Golden Gloves Tournament. Rodriguez, who has dual citizenship in the U.S. and Dominican Republic, became the first Massachusetts boxer to win the middleweight title at the Nationals since “Marvelous”Marvin Hagler in 1973.
TheBroadway Boxing co-feature showcases the return of former WBA junior middleweight champion Joachim Alcine (32-2, 19 KOs) vs. upset specialist Jose “Stinger” Medina (14-9-2, 6 KOs), also from Quincy. Also seeing action are two other boxers from Traietti’s hometown of Quincy – Rodriguez’ stable-mate junior lightweight Ryan “The Polish Prince”Kielczewski (10-0, 2 KOs) vs. James Lester (9-5, 4 KOs), and Gabriel Duluc (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Springfield (MA) junior welterweight Noel Garcia. Also scheduled to be in action are popular, female heavyweight Sonya “The Scholar” Lamonakis (5-0, 1 KO), fighting out of New York City, vs. Tiffany Woodard (4-4, 3 KOs); unbeaten Louisiana heavyweight prospect Kelvin Price(10-0, 6 KO) vs. Joseph Rabotte, and New Haven super bantamweight Luis “The KO King” Rosa (7-0, 5 KOs) vs. Shawn “Bones” Nichols (5-6, 5 KOs). All fights and fighters are subject to change.
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