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."
Both combatants were slightly cautious coming out of their respective corners in the second round, but it was Rodriguez who dropped Seals with a right hand late in the round and continued to hurt him with punches heading into the end of round two. The fight was stopped 24 seconds into round three when Rodriguez pounded Seals with a right hand that sent him thundering to the canvas causing the crowd in Biloxi to go wild and putting the bout in the conversation for "Fight of the Year."
Rodriguez said of his performance:
"Seals was really tough. I knew he was tough going into it, but he proved it tonight. He threw hard punches, but I did what champions do. I got back up. Anyone can go down in a fight, but its if you get back up and how you get back up that matters. Sh*t happens. You just have to keep on fighting. Just like in life - you have to be able to get back up.
"He caught me with some good shots, but in the end, I was able to finish him off.
"It was a great fight. It feels great. We were both in tremendous shape. My hat goes off to Michael Seals. We gave the fans a great show."
Seals, who complained of dislocating his shoulder following the punch that first sent Rodriguez to the canvas, is hungry for a rematch saying:
"Every time I threw my jab it landed, but I dislocated my shoulder in the first round. I had him with my punches. If I had all my tools, there is no way he could have beat me.
"I had him beat in the second round. I know it. I felt like the ref was going to stop it. If he stopped it with me, why didn't he stop it with him?
"It was a great fight. He is a tough guy. I want a rematch. Please give it to me."
