Philippines, 13 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Nisa Rodriguez to return to ring Dec. 17th on “Holiday Fight Night 3” at Sony Hall in Times Square

PhilBoxing.com





European vacation will not Interfere with her training

NEW YORK CITY (November 25, 2024) – Little did New York City middleweight Nisa Rodriguez (2-0) know when she booked a European vacation for her family that it would be one week prior to her return to the ring.

Rated No. 9 by the World Boxing Council (WBC), promotional free agent Rodriguez will fight in her first scheduled six-round match against Melody Popravak (2-1-1, 1 KO) on Tuesday, December 17, at Sony Hall in Times Square, on a show presented by Boxing Insider Promotions.

It’s been difficult for Rodriguez’ manager, NYC-based lawyer Keith Sullivan, to secure opponents for Nisa, largely because of her rich amateur pedigree, as well as her weight class limitations in terms of quality opponents. In fact, she had to fight at super middleweight in her two pro fights to date, although she will take on middleweight Popravak next month, in her natural weight class.

Nisa is also an eight-time New York Daily News Golden Gloves, six-time Metro Championships, two-time Empire State, and Caribbean and Central Americano gold medalist. A former schoolteacher, Rodriguez has been a NYC police officer for two years, stationed citywide for the rapid response unit, specializing in any crimes that involve adolescents and supporting families of homicides. In addition to being a fulltime police officer and pro boxer, if that were not enough, Nisa works with youths in a program at Cops & Kids Gym in Brooklyn, and she’s married with three children.

Because of the aforementioned difficulties finding time to book a family vacation and figuring she wouldn’t fight again in 2024; Nisa booked a trip to Europe only to shortly find-out that she had an offer to fight at home on Dec. 17. Rather than cancel her vacation and attempt to find another time she and her family could go away together, they’re all heading overseas and just like she does in the ring, Nisa will properly adjust to the situation.

“I was hoping to fight again this year,” she explained, “and I kept pushing our vacation off. I had nothing (fights) in December and my birthday will be while we’re away. We’re a humble family, saved up, and we are still going to Europe. So, I’ll get in my roadwork in Paris, and my husband (Wilson Hernandez) and son (Emerson Pina) will be my technical sparring partners. My husband fights in the Master’s Division and we’re about the same weight. My son is a good amateur boxer, only 15, but he’s strong, 6’ 1” and 145 pounds. I’m not his coach, though. We have a parent-child dynamic, and unless he asks for boxing advice from me, I don’t offer any.

“From being a member of the Puerto Rico Team in the amateurs, I know some fighters over there (in Europe), and I will have gyms to train at and spar in. Most of the week we’ll be in Paris, but we’re going to try and go to Rome, too. I really want to see The Colosseum because boxers are like modern-day gladiators.”

Her manager Keith Sullivan added: “I was prepared to take her out of the fight, but she said, ‘No, I’ll stay in shape. We’re a boxing family; my son and husband will spar, work the mitts and help keep my conditioning on point.’ “Nisa excels at everything she does, so I backed down and contracted to go forward with the fight. I would never agree to this for any fighter not named Nisa Rodriguez.”

Rodriguez is happy to finally be fighting as a middleweight and unconcerned about the two additional rounds for her first scheduled six-round bout.

“I feel that the time fighting as an elite amateur prepared me because we fought four 2-minute rounds, the same in the pros, but I always trained hard and felt I could have fought longer,” Rodriguez noted. “Two-minute rounds go really fast. I like to counterpunch and move around the ring, but now I can sit down more to punch because of the two extra rounds from what I’ve been accustomed to. I’m happy to be fighting as a middleweight, but I always try to come in light anyway.”

Tickets are on sale and may be purchased online at https://www.ticketweb.com/event/boxing-insider-fight-night-sony-hall-tickets/14011593.

Sullivan also manages 3-time, 2-division world champion Miyo Yoshida (17-5), undefeated Brooklyn heavyweight prospect Pryce Taylor (4-0, 2 KOs), in addition to co-managing world-rated (IBF & WBA #6, WBC #14) welterweight contender Paddy “The Real Deal” Donovan (14-0, 11 KOs), the reigning WBA Continental Champion from Limerick, Ireland. Sullivan co-manages Donovan with former world middleweight champion Andy Lee, who is also Donovan’s head trainer.

INFORMATION
Instagram: @Sweet_destruction
Facebook: /NisaRodriguez




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • BARBOZA JR. VS. SIMS JR. FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • Skye Nicolson Headlines Huge Matchroom Boxing Homecoming in Melbourne as New Kayo Sports TV Era Begins on April 29
    , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • Five Boxers Advance on Day Five of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
    , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • Canoy to fight Balidio on March 14 in Matanao
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Lopez vs. Gallegos’ at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida, Tomorrow Night at 8 pm EDT
    , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • Jonny Mansour Takes on William King as One Half of a Double Main Event at Frontwave Arena’s SD Fight Night: Family Business on Saturday, April 18, 2026
    , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • Rising Contender Jalen “Skywalker” Walker Signs with Wise Owl Boxing
    , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Unsung Heroes and the Value of Service
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026
  • Ronald, eldest son of boxing legend Tommy Hearns, will be his guardian and conservator
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026
  • Remembering Gilberto Mendoza in the 10th Anniversary of His Passing
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026
  • Air Force, Elite teams in Best of the Best Karate tourney
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026
  • Chavez brothers to return on April 25
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026
  • ProBox & Teiken Announce Co-Promotional Deal with World-Ranked Bantamweight Contender Katsuma Akitsugi
    , Thu, 12 Mar 2026
  • Team USA Earns Three More Wins on Day Four of World Boxing Futures Cup
    , Thu, 12 Mar 2026
  • Casimero vs Nery for WBA Gold Super Bantamweight Title April 18 in Kyrgyzstan!
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026
  • United States Completes Day Three of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup With Five Wins
    , Thu, 12 Mar 2026
  • 83 Points! Bam Adebayo makes the second-highest score in NBA league history
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026
  • Renz Paolo Nool rules 5th Kenz Gambit Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026
  • Benavidez-Ramirez presents his mega fight on "WBC Tuesday Coffe" in Mexico City
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 11 Mar 2026
  • “The Cuban Assassin" Scores Devastating 1st Round Knockout to Remain Undefeated
    , Wed, 11 Mar 2026
  • Boxlab Promotions Fighters Set to Shine on Matchroom Boxing Card March 21 in Orlando
    , Wed, 11 Mar 2026
  • World Boxing Futures Cup in Bangkok Update
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 11 Mar 2026
  • Full Card Taking Shape for ProBoxTV’s Martinez Vs. Aleem World Championship Event on Sat., March 21, from NOS Event Center in San Bernardino, CA
    , Wed, 11 Mar 2026
  • Mike Tyson Invitational Announces Schedule of Events for Amateur Showcase Beginning This Thursday in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 11 Mar 2026
  • Filipino chess players make a courtesy visit to GAB chairman
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 11 Mar 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.