Edwin Rodriguez: record, next fight and profile →
Edwin Rodriguez did not spend too long in the ring last year, but he was content with two stoppage victories, both of which were crowd-pleasers. In particular, his shoot-out with Michael Seals last November in which he tasted the canvas for the first time, showed his determination to bounce back and stop a previously unbeaten opponent.
Light heavyweight contender Edwin Rodriguez (28-1, 19 KOs) has revealed to BoxingScene.com that he could face fellow contender Thomas Williams (19-1, 13 KOs) in the next few months. Both men fought on the same card on November 13 in Mississippi with their respective fights providing fireworks, both fight of the year candidates according to most observers.
There was no shortage of action involving Houston fighters in 2015, a year that marked the end of a seven-year drought during which the Bayou City was devoid of any world titleholders. The city also played host to some remarkable match-ups that were considered for the categories of Fight of the Year, Knockout of the Year and Upset of the Year.
He wasn’t in the actual fight itself – although ringside security sought to pick one with him at one point – but Artur Szpilka couldn’t help but get caught up in the non-stop action that came with Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez’ off the canvas 3rd round knockout of Michael Seals. Their light heavyweight headliner made for yet another thrilling main event on Spike TV, this one airing Friday evening live from Beau Rivage Resort & Casino. Szpilka was ringside to support his training stablemate Rodriguez, as both take their ring instructions from noted trainer Ronnie Shields.
By Jake Donovan - From the moment he looked at the calendar and realized the day, Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez knew to expect something crazy to happen. It came throughout the undercard and again – and again – over the course of his wild three-round shootout with Michael Seals. “That f****n’ (Artur) Szpilka,” Rodriguez joked afterward of the heavyweight contender and his training stablemate. “Friday the 13th, you jinxed me tonight!” Everything short of a black cat crossing under a standing ladder took place during the two-hour telecast of Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on Spike TV: Lights Out, live from Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi. The final fight of the night saw Rodriguez score three knockdowns but having to overcome two of his own in getting rid of the previously unbeaten Seals in a bout that will be well-represented come year-end awards discussion.
BILOXI, MISS. - In a telecast showcasing four fights that lasted a total of 13 rounds with 11 knockdowns and four knockouts, boxing fans were treated to a night of sensational Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on Spike action from the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Miss. The evening culminated with an unforgettable all out war between light heavyweights Edwin Rodriguez and Michael Seals. Rodriguez came out swinging from the first bell, dropping Seals in the first 30 seconds of the bout with a hard left. Seals hit the canvas, got back on his feet and dropped Rodriguez not even 30 seconds later. With 10 seconds to go in the first round, Seals dropped Rodriguez again, putting round one in the running for "Round of the Year."
By Cliff Rold - 30-year old former light heavyweight Edwin Rodriguez (28-1, 19 KO), 175 ½, of Worcester, Massachusetts, traded knockdowns with 33-year old Michael Seals (19-1, 14 KO), 174 ½, of Atlanta, Georgia en route to a rousing third round knockout win. The referee was Fred Steinwinder. They got off to a monstrous start in the first. First it was Seals on the floor, courtesy of left to the shoulder and head area just thirty seconds into the round. Before the fight was a minute old, Seals returned the favor with a perfect short right to put Rodriguez on the floor. Not two minutes would pass before Seals sent Rodriguez to the floor inside ten seconds with huge right hand. Rodriguez struggled up before the toll of ten and the bell sounded before Seals could do more damage.
Three of the four TV fighters made weight for the next installment of Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on Spike TV, which airs live from Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi.
BILOXI, MISS. - Edwin "La Bomba" Rodriguez (27-1, 18 KOs)and Michael Seals (19-0, 14 KOs) are just days away from their light heavyweight showdown on Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on Spike taking placeFriday, November 13 from Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi. The night of action starts at 9 p.m. ET/PT with Thomas "Top Dog" Williams (18-1, 12 KOs) and Humberto Savigne (12-2, 9 KOs) in a light heavyweight clash.
It’s been a slow road back for Edwin Rodriguez in the two years since he lost to Andre Ward. Rodriguez came in overweight for that super middleweight championship bout in November 2013, dropped a wide decision and proceeded to move up to light heavyweight. It took him 11 months to return. He outpointed Azea Augustama in October 2014, took Derrick Findley out in a single round in December 2014, and then won a third-round technical knockout over Craig Baker this past May.