Francisco Rodriguez Punishes Ivan Rodriguez in Chicago
By Joe Harrison
Popular Chicago super bantamweights Francisco “El Nino Azteca” Rodriguez and Ivan “The Baby Faced Assassin” Rodriguez squared off in a Mexican vs. Puerto Rican cross-town showdown known as “Pride” for the Illinois State Super Bantamweight Title on Friday at Chicago’s Congress Theater. Francisco improved his record to 10-1 (7 KOs) as he punished Ivan (8-4-1, 3 KOs) for six rounds before the bout was stopped on advice from the ringside physician because Ivan’s left eye was swollen shut. They both exchanged very often as each man tried to gain the upper hand in the scheduled eight-round bout.
In the first couple rounds, Ivan was the aggressor as he attacked the body of Francisco and then his face. The exchanges were progressing but Ivan was out-slugging Francisco majority of the time. Still, both boxers landed clean punches continuously.
During the third round, the violent exchanges continued all the way to the bell. There were few clinches as each man battered the other, neither willing to surrender. At the end of the round, as Ivan turned and headed back to his corner, he revealed that his left eye had begun to swell shut.
After the third round, it was all Francisco Rodriguez. Ivan seemed completely worn down as Francisco punished him, especially when landing punches on Ivan’s left eye. Ivan even had the mouthpiece punched out of his mouth in the fifth round. In the sixth round, Ivan resorted to moving away from Francisco, attempting to avoid his attack and was drawing boos from his fans. Before the round ended, his mouthpiece came out again.
Ivan did not return for the seventh round as the bout was brought to a halt on advice from the ringside physician, saving Ivan from any further beating due to his swollen eye being completely shut.
After the fight, Francisco shared some of his thoughts.
“I was comfortable in the ring, we had a good training camp and we’ve seen Ivan’s fights,” said Francisco.
“I may be fighting again in December or maybe even the end of November. Just keep on getting fights that get me a title-shot next year.”
“I also want to say that I’m thankful to everyone who has supported me since the beginning of my career.”
In the main event, lightweight Fernando Trejo (30-12-4, 18 KOs) scored a unanimous decision over Juan Ramon Cruz (15-4-1, 11 KOs) in a scheduled ten-round contest. It was a one-sided victory as Trejo controlled the bout, even after suffering low blows in rounds four and five.
In the first round, Cruz was using his jab to set up his punches as Trejo stalked him around the ring. Both fighters landed good punches, but it was Cruz who dealt more damage.
During the second and third rounds, Trejo put more pressure on Cruz and went on the attack. Both fighters continued to make connections, but Cruz couldn’t keep up with Trejo’s busy pace.
In the fourth round, Cruz landed a low blow that laid Trejo on the canvas in pain. It took Trejo at least five minutes to recover and it almost seemed as if he was not willing to return. When the action resumed, Trejo was not eager to mix it up, leaving Cruz in control.
In the fifth round, another low blow by Cruz halted the action and Trejo took another couple minutes to recuperate. At this point, referee Geno Rodriguez deducted a point from Cruz. When the round continued, Trejo regained momentum and unleashed a barrage of punches on Cruz.
During rounds six through nine, Trejo was relentless as he continued to attack Cruz, and they began to exchange more frequently. It was after the seventh round when blood appeared near Cruz’s left eye. In rounds eight and nine, the exchanges continued, but it was normally Trejo was landing the more accurate punches.
In the tenth round, Cruz caught Trejo flush and nearly sent him to the canvas. Trejo then held on for life and did everything possible to stay on his feet and avoid Cruz’s punches. Then out of no where, Trejo caught his second wind and started throwing punches at Cruz. Both were swing wildly until the final bell. The scores from the three judges were 97-92, 97-92, and 95-94, all in favor of Trejo.
Also on the card, super featherweight contender Orlando Salido (28-9-2, 18 KOs) won every round on all three of the judges scorecards against Marty Robbins (22-38-1, 15 KOs) in a scheduled eight-round bout. Although Robbins was completely outclassed, he was a feisty veteran who was able to last the distance.
It was the first time Salido fought since his notorious IBF featherweight title clash against Robert Guerrero in November of ‘06. Salido beat Guerrero by a unanimous decision and temporarily held the world title, but he was quickly stripped by the IBF after his post-fight urinalysis reflected the presence of an anabolic agent. Salido was fined and suspended through August 4 by the Nevada State Atheltic Commission, which also changed the result of the championship bout to a no decision.