Saturday, 10 March 2012
Friday, 9 March 2012
Exclusive Interview With Delvin Rodriguez: "Hopefully I Get A Title Shot This Year"
Written by Ryan Kinzett
Ringnews24.com: When will we see you back in action and what are your plans for 2012?
Delvin Rodriguez: I’m ready for anything I’m offered. I’m just waiting for my promoter to put a fight together. I’m working towards a title fight for the end of 2012.
Ringnews24.com: There have been some big fights at light middleweight recently. Do you know if you will be getting a similar opportunity to show how good you are soon?
Delvin Rodriguez: Yes, it’s what I’m looking for. A good fight with an opponent with a name and who’s high up in the ratings.
Ringnews24.com: Which of the champions at the weight would you rather fight if given the choice?
Delvin Rodriguez: The winner of Cotto vs Mayweather would be great!
Ringnews24.com: Making big match ups in boxing between different promotion companies can be difficult. You and undefeated prospect Demetrius Andrade are with the same promoter. Has there been any talk of a bout between you and Andrade?
Delvin Rodriguez: Not really. Like I said I want to fight someone who is higher than me in the rankings so I can become number one ranked and get a world title shot.
Ringnews24.com: The light middleweight division is packed full of great fighters. Do you think it would benefit from a Super Six type of tournament?
Delvin Rodriguez: Nowadays it’s all about the money so I think it would be good.
Ringnews24.com: You've fought on ESPN 2 on numerous occasions. Do you know if you will be fighting on one of the bigger networks in the future?
Delvin Rodriguez: I’m trying to stay on HBO. Me and my team feel that going back to Espn is taking a step backwards even though I’m very grateful for the opportunity Espn has given me.
Ringnews24.com: Sports Illustrated named your first fight with Pawel Wolak “Fight of the year” for 2011. Does it feel good to know the media and fans appreciate what you do in the ring?
Delvin Rodriguez: It’s the best feeling to have fans. Without them the sport of boxing would be nothing. I appreciate the support from all my fans so much.
Ringnews24.com: Were you surprised Pawel Wolak retired after your second bout considering he was always a competitive boxer?
Delvin Rodriguez: Not really because he had two really hard fights with me that would take out of any fighter. I’m sure he will make a comeback.
Ringnews24.com: How old were you when you decided you wanted to become a boxer?
Delvin Rodriguez: I started boxing at the age of 10.
Ringnews24.com: Was it tough relocating to the USA from the Dominican Republic? Did you settle in fast?
Delvin Rodriguez: It was very hard coming to a whole different world, not knowing the language and not knowing the style of life.
Ringnews24.com: How would you describe your style to someone who might not be familiar with you?
Delvin Rodriguez: I consider myself a boxer puncher who can adjust to any fighter in front of me.
Ringnews24.com: At 6ft tall, you're a very tall fighter for light middleweight. Do you try to use your height advantage as much as possible in fights?
Delvin Rodriguez: It all depends on who I’m fighting. In my last fight against Pawel Wolak, I stayed low and it worked out very good for me.
Ringnews24.com: Which fight was your best performance so far?
Delvin Rodriguez: I believe I surprised the boxing World in my first fight with Pawel Wolak.
Ringnews24.com: You fought Isaac Hlatshwayo twice. The first fight ended in a draw and the second, for the vacant IBF welterweight title, ended in a split decision loss for you. How disheartening was that loss for you and how does a boxer pick himself up from such a loss?
Delvin Rodriguez: It was hard losing a split decision in my hometown especially in a championship fight but I was a different fighter back then. I feel stronger than ever now and very confident with my new team behind me.
Ringnews24.com: You've been on the wrong end of some bad decisions. Has that ever affected you mentally or affected your love of the sport?
Delvin Rodriguez: It did when it happened but like I say I’m a different fighter now. I’m going forward now and I have left the negative things behind.
Ringnews24.com: We see a lot of bad decisions nowadays. Fans are fed up and I’m sure boxers are too. Do you think a change in how bouts are scored might help or perhaps just better judging?
Delvin Rodriguez: Better judging for sure. But how do you get that? There is too much politics in boxing, just like in any other business.
Ringnews24.com: In recent times, which would you say was the worst robbery you’ve seen?
Delvin Rodriguez: When I got robbed in Poland against Jackiewicz and against Ashley Theophane.
Ringnews24.com: Would you like to fight in Europe again?
Delvin Rodriguez: No. It’s obvious that when you fight in Europe you have to knock your opponent out just to get a draw.
Ringnews24.com: Do you plan on staying at 154lbs or do you think you might move back down to 147lbs or even up to 160lbs if the right offer came along?
Delvin Rodriguez: I should have been at 154lbs a long time ago. It was too hard for me to make 147lbs. It was the main reason why I had bad performances. But at 154lbs I feel very strong and can put my good boxing abilities to use.
Ringnews24.com: Would you like to say anything to say to your fans?
Delvin Rodriguez: I love my fans. They have given me so much support even when I was on a losing streak. I love them and I need their support. I won’t let them down this year. Thank you!
Ringnews24.com: Thank you for talking to us Delvin.
http://www.ringnews24.com/index.php/boxing-news/46917-exclusive-interview-with-delvin-rodriguez-qhopefully-i-get-a-title-shot-this-yearq.html#axzz1oSwvqJ00
Tuesday, 6 March 2012
Saturday, 3 March 2012
Tuesday, 28 February 2012
My interview with Donovan George - February 2012
Ringnews24 catches up with Donovan George ahead of his toughest test to date
Ringnews24.com: You’re making your HBO debut on March 17th on the undercard of the bout between Sergio Martinez and Matthew Macklin. You must be excited?
I am so pumped up. This is a dream come true; It does not get any bigger then fighting on HBO and fighting at the historic Madison Square Garden and even more exciting is that I’ll be fighting on St. Patrick's Day.
Ringnews24.com: You will be fighting undefeated super middleweight Edwin Rodriguez. How has your preparation been for the fight?
Training has been great. I have been getting good sparring and working my ass off. I am 110% focused, made many sacrifices to get to this fight and one thing’s for sure, I will go out on my shield if I have to, to make sure I am victorious!
Ringnews24.com: Do you expect this to be your toughest fight to date?
Hands down this is hardest fight of my life; Edwin (Rodriquez) is a great fighter and I have the utmost respect for him. I'm expecting this to be fireworks and we're both coming to fight!
Ringnews24.com: What are your plans for after the Rodriguez fight? Where would you like to be by the end of 2012?
I can’t look past Rodriguez as he is a great fighter. I will win this fight and go from there.
Ringnews24.com: You were supposed to fight Librado Andrade in December last year but the fight didn’t happen after it was discovered the ring was far smaller than the agreed size. How did you feel at the time?
It was the worst day of my life. When I found out that I wasn't fighting I broke down in tears. I worked so hard for that fight. It hurt a lot.
Ringnews24.com: Do you think your promoter Leon Margules did the right thing? I know fans I’ve spoken to didn’t have any problems with what Margules did, even applauding him for standing up for his fighter.
As a fighter I wanted to fight, but that's when you need people who care about you to make those tough decisions. Now that I look back I am very thankful to Leon for looking out for me. Everything happens for a reason. Now I'm on HBO at MSG.
Ringnews24.com: There was talk of a new date for you and Andrade to fight but that didn’t happen. Do you think a fight with Andrade could happen later this year or is that bout now out of the equation?
To be honest I have no idea. I guess I'll leave that up to my manager, Mike (Michaels).
Ringnews24.com: You lost to Francisco Sierra in 2010. What went wrong for you that night?
EVERYTHING!
Ringnews24.com: What did you work on in training afterwards to not repeat the same mistakes?
When I trained for that fight I went out to Big Bear. It was the first time I trained without my father. In training I got hurt and broke my nose badly, but being a dummy that I was, I didn't tell my people how hurt I was. I ended up paying for it that night but that's life. You must learn from your mistakes and never let it happen again.
Ringnews24.com: It must have worked as you stopped the undefeated Cornelius White in just one round in your next bout. Did you feel you had a point to prove in that fight considering you were coming off a loss?
No one comes back after a bad loss and takes on a monster like (Cornelius) White. I could have taken a tune-up but the fight with White came up and I have not looked back since.
Ringnews24.com: Do you feel a loss can sometimes motivate a boxer more than if he goes undefeated for a long time? Does losing help to draw attention to exactly what needs working on and help a boxer to perfect his craft?
Losing was the best and worst thing for my boxing career. That night made me realise that I'm only human and need to get better fast. But at the same time it opened a lot of doors for big fights including this upcoming one and because of my loss, opponents think I am easily beatable.
Ringnews24.com: Showtime recently told Lucian Bute they want him to fight an American opponent although it seems a bout with Carl Froch may still go ahead though. Do you think you might be in a good position to be that American opponent Showtime is looking for?
Yes I do. I'm a white kid from Chicago who jams. I have never been in a bad fight. I love to get in there and mix it up; if either opportunity came up I would take it in a heartbeat. Like I said, I'm 110% focused on my fight on March 17th and after that I'm sure my team will make the necessary moves.
Ringnews24.com: Do you feel you are ready for a World title shot or do you think you still need a little more experience?
I think I'm almost there. As long as I keep improving, I'll be ready. Edwin Rodriguez will be a great test for me.
Ringnews24.com: Have you got any last words you’d like to say to your fans?
I would like to thank my management, Mike Michael and Gina Iacovou of Cestus Management, my father and trainer Peter George, 'Da Bomb Squad', my promoters Dibella Entertainment and Warriors Boxing, HBO and all my family for their continued support. I fight for my family and fans. I promise to lay it all on the line on the 17th and give the fans a good show. I give so much thanks to my wonderful fans for always cheering me on and giving me that strength to fight harder for them.
Ringnews24.com: Thanks for doing the interview with Ring News 24 Don and best of luck against Edwin Rodriguez.
Thanks Ryan and Ringnews24!
http://www.ringnews24.com/index.php/boxing-news/45324-donovan-george-interview.html#axzz1ng0ryPrm
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