By Joseph Herron: “Boxing is only as healthy as its glamour division: The Heavyweights,” is an age old axiom regurgitated by, not only boxing’s biggest advocates, but it’s most vocal detractors. If that is indeed true, the “sweet science” in America is not only on life support, but it is beginning to write its own obituary.
Not if 33 year old knock-out artist, David Rodriguez, has anything to say about it.
David “El Nino” Rodriguez is an El Paso, TX, native who boasts an impressive 33-0 record with 31 knock-outs. That is almost a 94% opponent knock-out ratio; which is not only one of the best in the sport today, but one of the greatest KO percentages boxing has ever seen after 33 professional bouts.
It’s the kind of statistic, which most feel will not only resurrect the heavyweight division, but revive the entire sport of boxing. Yes, we have a current crop of Heavyweight Champions who have great knock-out ratios, but David’s record is a bit different; 24 of the Texas native’s 31 knockouts happened by way of exciting 1st round KO.
“I have knockout power with both hands. I am very aggressive,” says the American hopeful, “If I hurt my opponent, I definitely try to put him out and finish him.”
And if you ask any casual or die-hard fan of boxing, they will tell you that this is exactly the kind of fighter they’ve been waiting to see wreak havoc in the Heavyweight division. Rodriguez is prepared to breathe some much needed life into the cadaver that has become American heavyweight boxing.
“I feel that I am the best in this division, because I am fast and I have a killer instinct mentality. I am very vicious in the ring,” states the American contender. “People want to see aggression and explosiveness. They don’t want to see a boring Heavyweight fight with boxers jabbing and hugging each other while staying cautious, and trying to just get the win. They want to see a test of heart and character.” David Rodriguez seems to have his finger on the pulse of every fight fan in the world.
He is a 6’5” Hispanic-American Heavyweight with middleweight hand speed and knockout power in both fists. “El Nino” is as intelligent as he is ambitious, and feels that his time in boxing is drawing nearer. Every adversity that David has had to face and overcome, tells him this.
The Hispanic fighter grew up in an impoverished area of El Paso, TX, but wouldn’t trade his experiences there for anything. Rodriguez claims that all of his adversities and trials have made him the hungry and passionate fighter that he is today.
“Where I grew up in El Paso TX, It was a very diverse and poverty stricken atmosphere. Being a border city, I had some rough challenges and ran with a rough crowd, crossing the bridge to Mexico every weekend to find trouble; but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.” “The best times of my life were with my friends finding trouble in Juarez, and I had many friends living in the worse conditions: homes with just one room, sand floors and no electricity. ‘Till this day I am not materialistic as a result, and I like people for who they are and not for what they can do or what they have. It was a great upbringing.”
David found himself boxing at a very young age; five years of age to be exact. He was coached by ex-military trainer Tom McKay from Ft. Bliss during his childhood development. When “El Nino” was a teen, trainer and mentor Rocky Galarza assumed the duties of tutoring the young fighter. Galarza was responsible for teaching young David both Mexican and American styles of pugilism and for nurturing the young fighter’s dedication to his craft.
Rocky Galarza would take young David to Juarez, Mexico, a hotbed for hard and rugged fighters, during the early years of his amateur boxing career, to develop the toughness one needs to become a professional prizefighter. “Juarez is a very rough and tough place. I learned two different styles of boxing: the American style and the Mexican type of inside fighting, which is what made me such an aggressive fighter, I believe.”
Tragically, trainer Rocky Galarza was violently murdered in 1995. “We had a great bond till the day of his death. He was murdered in his home while asleep by an ex girlfriend; it was by shot gun to the head.” Although devastating to the young fighter, David felt that it was important to continue Galarza’s efforts. Trainer Louie Burke assumed the role after the untimely death of his friend and mentor.
Rodriguez turned pro in 1998, and although he wasn’t expected to be victorious in his first professional bout, dispatched his first professional opponent in only 1:14 of round number one. David knew at that time, he was onto something potentially very big. “El Nino” racked up win after decisive win, knocking out 17 of his first 18 opponents within the first round.
In 2003, David knocked out a tough fighter by the name of Tommy Connelly with an 8-1 record in just over 2 minutes of the first round to become Texas State Champion. He was only 26 years of age, and the world of boxing seemed to be his for the taking. Unfortunately, young David Rodriguez had much to learn about the most brutal part of the sport: The business end of prizefighting.
David had become a hot commodity. He was an Hispanic-American fighter with a serious mean-streak in the ring. His marquee good looks gave him massive crossover potential, and he was destroying every single opponent he faced, yet he wasn’t getting the fights or the promotional offers he felt he deserved.
“When the major fighters and promoters offered me a fight, it was literally for an insulting amount of money.” “They figured I wasn’t a big enough name yet, so they didn’t want to take a chance on losing.” “I wasn’t very well known and they didn’t know what to expect; they felt it was too much of a risk.”
“El Nino” was at a crossroads in his career. He was now in his thirties and he still wasn’t gaining the recognition he deserved. His critics were brutal, and his future was uncertain. A drastic change needed to be made. He parted ways with his long time mentor and trainer, Louie Burke. “The last 5 yrs have been plagued with problems and serious disagreements. It was a very hard split because I was so used to him in my corner and that special bond.”
He also entered into a new promotional situation: A co-promotion arrangement with young promoter Zeferino Ramirez and Z Entertainment. “Zef gave me a fair deal. My father got his promoters license and so we formed a partnership with Zeferino Entertainment and Nino Bravo Promotions. I feel like I have a new life and a say so in my own career.”
With new trainer, Herman Delgado, and a new promotional agreement, which includes a professional relationship with his father, the future has never looked brighter for “El Nino”. “I couldn’t ask for a better deal. I almost wanted to call it Second Chance Promotions. Hahaha” That’s exactly what Rodriguez feels he’s received; a second chance at success. Now all “El Nino” has to worry about is doing what he does best: knocking his opponents out.
This Friday he will get that opportunity, but not without a hitch. His previously scheduled opponent, Ty Cobb, was injured during training and had to be removed from the fight card. David’s new opponent is 6’4” American fighter, Matt “the Hurricane” Hicks. “I was training and sparring with shorter fighters that come straight forward and now just a week away I find I have a replacement in Matt Hicks and he’s 6’4 260. I haven’t seen much of him, but I will adapt and enter the ring with the same mentality and killer instinct.”
Just another day in the life of a prizefighter…one who has grown accustomed to overcoming life’s adversities.
This Friday’s fight card will be at the Don Haskins Center in El Paso, TX, and even with Hector Camacho Jr on the fightcard, Showtime, HBO, ESPN, Telefutura, and FOX Sports have committed themselves to other programming. It must be frustrating for Team Rodriguez that the major networks have yet to recognize what David’s fans have already discovered: That David Rodriguez is an exciting, young American Heavyweight who knocks his opponents out in thrilling fashion. When will “El Nino” finally receive his big fight opportunity on a major network? “I believe it will happen this year. The first step is this next fight. It’s the ice breaker and the first fight under my new promotional banner. Zef and I have very big plans for the world to see David Rodriguez in 2011 without having to search for me on You Tube. Lol”
Like I said, David Rodriguez has grown accustomed to overcoming life’s adversities. If you don’t believe me, just ask his opponent, Matt Hicks, on Saturday morning.
“Well, it’s “make it” or “break it” time for me. I’m already very proud of my career, but I feel that the best I have to offer has yet to come; and with my new team, I feel that people will finally get to see it. I promise to give my very best for my fans. God Bless to everyone.” – David “El Nino” Rodriguez
You can learn more about David “El Nino” Rodriguez by visiting his website at www.ninoboxing.com