By Phil D. Jay

Junior middleweight contender Pawel Wolak has dismissed the recent claims by Delvin Rodriguez, who said the Polish boxer is avoiding a rematch. Last month the two fighters took part in a ‘Fight of the Year’ war. The final decision was a ten round draw.

The 29-year-old fought with one eye for the second half of the fight as he and Rodriguez, 31, compelled the fans for ten rounds at the Roseland Ballroom in New York and cries have been heard for a rematch ever since, not least from the US-based Dominican.

The New Jersey-based Pole, who still works full-time on a building site pulling in shifts of 4pm to 1am, is keen to land a world title fight after his heroics against Rodriguez and has also defended his decision to leave long-time manager Ivan Edwards in favor of Cameron Dunkin, who also handles Timothy Bradley, Nonito Donaire, Kelly Pavlik and James Kirkland.

“If Delvin had any other opportunities right now, do you think he would be calling me out?” Wolak stated to World Boxing News.

“I have always said that a rematch is an option but not my first. Why in the world would I put a rematch ahead of a title opportunity on PPV on December 3? I have been very clear that I want K9 (IBF champion Cornelius Bundrage) next for his title in December on PPV. Cameron is working on that as we speak.

“Honestly, who gets the bigger upside on a rematch? There is nothing in a rematch for me and everything in it for him. The fans of course win but they will in any fight I am in as that is who I fight for.

“As far as my manager goes: Has nobody ever changed jobs before? The contract expired and I had an opportunity to work the best manager in the business that could get me much more meaningful opportunities. People respect him and take his calls every time. He is based in Vegas where Top Rank is and talks with them daily. He makes things happen.

“Who the hell would turn that down? I understand loyalty but do people stay at the same company forever when a better opportunity arises?

“Bottom line. I have respect for Delvin and Ivan. Both are hurt right now and I understand why they are trying to trash me. But people see through it and they are now looking desperate.”

Phil D. Jay covers the boxing scene for worldboxingnews.net