By Victor Salazar
New York, NY - Edwin Rodriguez (28-1, 19KOs) is hoping to get a major fight in 2016. Now at the light heavyweight limit of 175-pounds, Rodriguez will remain busy on March 12th, when he faces Thomas Williams (19-1) as part of the Keith Thurman vs. Shawn Porter undercard at the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut.
Rodriguez's last fight, a three round war with Michael Seals in November, was receiving mentions for 'round of the year' and 'fight of the year.' After dropping Seals early on in the first round, Rodriguez suffered two knockdowns of his own in the same round. He recovered, dropping Seals in the second and again in the third for a TKO win.
One name on Rodriguez's future target list is former super middleweight champion Lucian Bute, who last November suffered a very competitive decision loss to James DeGale.
“Lucian Bute was written off, he did a great fight against Degale,” Rodriguez told BoxingScene.com. "He looks like he’s back and I would love to fight him even more so now.”
A clash with Bute would have to take place at 175-pounds. Rodriguez is unable to squeeze down at 168. Bute has tested the waters at 175 and catch-weights inbetween. He seems to be more comfortable at 168, but Rodriguez expects him to move up in the near future.
“I can’t make 168, I’m a 175lber,” explained Rodriguez. “I think Bute will move up. I think he’s better suited for 68 though. I think once he lost to Froch, he wasn’t comfortable [in that fight], but fighting Degale it showed he belonged on the world level."
After the fight with Williams, Rodriguez believes he deserves a shot at WBC and lineal light heavyweight champion Adonis Stevenson. The only defeat on Rodriguez's record came by way of decision to Andre Ward in 2013.
“My next fight will be against Thomas Williams,” stated Rodriguez. “Then we want Adonis. Stevenson is the [lineal] champion for beating Chad Dawson and I would love to get him in the ring as well. He’s the number 1 in my division."
