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Philippines, 01 Jul 2025 |
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MINIMUMWEIGHT CHAMP RODRIGUEZ TARGETS JUNIOR FLYWEIGHT DIVISION By Rene Bonsubre, Jr. PhilBoxing.com Tue, 11 Nov 2014  Francisco Rodriguez. CEBU ? Unified WBO/IBF minimumweight champion Francisco Rodriguez,Jr (16W-2L, 11KO's) of Mexico is here in Cebu City and ready for his appearance on the undercard of PINOY PRIDE XXVIII this Saturday at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel. ?I have already fought the best in my division. I became the best. I am looking forward to fighting more world champions,? Rodriguez stated during the press conference held Tuesday at the Rajah Park Hotel. Together with his fellow Mexican boxers Carlos Velarde, Saul Juarez and Raul Hirales, they vowed to wage a ring war in front of the Cebu boxing fans - ?Mexico vs Philippines are always good fights.? The tall and lanky Rodriguez will be moving five pounds above the 105 lb division limit in a non-title contest to face Jomar Fajardo (14-5-1,7 KO's) of Binangonan, Rizal. The 21-year-old Rodriguez is known for dethroning Merlito Sabillo of the ALA gym for the WBO belt last March by 10th round TKO. This was Sabillo's first career loss. Less than four months later, Rodriguez beat Japan's Katsunari Takayama by unanimous decision for the IBF title. In both fights he exhibited an incredible work rate by firing more than a hundred punches a round. ?I have a very good training team. That is why I can get one hundred hits per round.? He said, ?I came very well prepared, so my opponent should come very prepared as well.? ?I would like to fight at 108 lbs and win a title,? Rodriguez told this writer after the presscon. ?I would like to fight Donnie Nietes.? That would be a dream fight for Mexican and Filipino boxing fans. But Rodriguez will have to wait in line. Nietes will be defending his WBO jr.flyweight title against Velarde on the main event of PINOY PRIDE 28: HISTORY IN THE MAKING. Last year, Rodriguez fought as a flyweight but lost to Roman Gonzales of Nicaragua by 7th round TKO.But the jr.flyweight division will be wide open once Nietes decides to move up to 112. It will also be more interesting because Milan Melindo will be going down to 108 and fight Saul Juarez in an IBF eliminator. PINOY PRIDE 28 will also showcase ?Prince? Albert Pagara's IBF Intercontinental superbantamweight title defense against Raul Hirales. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..  |
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