Emmanuel Rodriguez

At 32 years old, Emmanuel Rodriguez has this physical status:

Emmanuel Rodrzquez (born August 8, 1992) is a Puerto Rican professional boxer who fought for the IBF bantamweight championship until May 2019.

Rodrez, an amateur, competed for Puerto Rico in the 2010 Summer Youth Olympics and received a gold medal in the flyweight event. He is the seventh best active bantamweight by the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board (TBRB), and fourth by The Ring magazine and BoxRec.

Early life

Rodrez, a native of Ojo de Agua, a middle-class urban area of Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, is a student at Universizacion Villa Real. Awilda Vázquez Soler and Luis Rodrez are his parents. He played other sports before deciding on boxing, including baseball, one of Puerto Rico's most popular team sports. Rodrez also served as the forward of the local association football team, Invasores de Vega Baja, in Vega Baja. He attended Escuela Lino Padrón Rivera, a Spanish school, until the tenth grade. He enrolled in Escuela Especializada del Albergue Olmpico (ECEDAO), a specialized school run by the Comité Olmpico de Puerto Rico (COPUR) that provides education, residence, education, and facilities to practice specific Olympic sports due to his talent. Rodrez was admitted as part of the program on May 27, 2011.

Source

Amateur career

Rodrez was already competing at a national Youth level in 2006, where he defeated Emmanuel Ramrez of Arecibo (2:1) in the 13-54 years (41 kg) division. Arturo Ros and Orlando Rodros, who coached Puerto Rico's previous Olympic medalist, Daniel Santos, are leading his corner team as an amateur. Despite being ranked in the Youth category, Rodrón competed in the light flyweight open-class at the 2009 Pan-American Championships when he was 17 years old. Francisco Meléndez, the Mexican National Light Flyweight Champion, was awarded by a unanimous points decision (10:3). Daniel Matellón, the Cuban National Light Flyweight Submarine, defeated him in the semifinals, winning a close contest by a single point (11:10). Rodrez lost another close match to Paulo Carvalho of Brasil, 12:9, to win the silver medal in the finals. Isaac Barrientos, Puerto Rico's senior national championships, had competed in the 2009 Torneo Nacional de Boxeo Aficionado, losing to Waldemar Pagán (12:9). Rodrez competed in the 2009 Torneo Internacional José "Cheo" Aponte, another open-class international tournament, from May 19 to 23, and another open-class international tournament. He defeated Bryan Aquino, who had lost to Pagán in the National Light Flyweight Championship in Puerto Rico, winning by points (19:5). He was matched against Waldemar Rodrez in the finals, defeating him by Referee Stopping Contest (RSC) in two rounds to win the gold medal. Rodrques qualified in the finals of the Copa Olmpica Juan Evangelista Venegas, an annual tournament held by the COPUR, defeating ngel Acosta in two rounds by RSC on July 5, 2009.

Rodrnez competed in the Copa Internacional de Boxeo Aficionado San Juan Bautista, a boxing dual where international golden gloves champions were invited after progressing to the flyweight division. He had been supposed to compete in the 2010 Torneo Nacional de Boxeo Aficionado Isaac Barrientos, but he was unable to attend, giving him a walkover victory over his scheduled opponent, Jes Soler. The 2010 American Continental Elite Men Championships was his first overseas appearance. Rodrez qualified twice, defeating Elizas Emigdio, the Mexican National Flyweight Champion (8:6) and fellow Puerto Rican José Nez (4:0). After winning a bye in the first date of eliminatories, he debuted in Baku, Azerbaijan, defeating Lassana Camara of Mali. Rodrs knockout beat Pahlavon Hojiyev of Uzbekistan 6:4 in the round of 16. With an 8:1 win over Min Hong of South Korea, he advanced to the semifinals. Hesham Yehia Mahmoud Abdelaal of Egypt, whom he defeated with a score of 10:3. He lost a 6:14 decision to Shaban Shahpalangov in the finals. Rodrez became the second Puerto Rican to win gold in the flyweight division at the Youth World Championships and secured Olympic participation in the 2010 Summer Youth Olympics.

Rodrez debuted in the Copa Olmpica Juan Evangelista Venegas 2010 after the World Championships. He defeated Eddie Valenzuela of Guatemala by points on his debut (11:2). Jonathan González, the 2008 AIBA Youth World Champion and senior Puerto Rico National Flyweight Champion, was matched in the finals against him. Rodrlez employed a defensive tactic, while González was the aggressor. He was able to gain 3 points by using his counter punching, while González concentrated on punches to the body that are generally not scored under AIBA rules. Rodro led the way to the first meeting between Puerto Rico's most recent Youth medalists, winning the first match 4:1. Despite this accomplishment, González was chosen to be part of the national team assembling for the 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games. This was due to the amateur boxing association and High Performance Department's recommendations that Rodrez should have a continuous preparation for the forthcoming event. He was selected to be Puerto Rico's Olympic flag-bearer at the Youth Olympic Games, presenting the flag from David Bernier, the COPUR's president. Rodrz won by points over Vasily Vetkin of Russia in his debut, ending with a score of 11:4 after an even start. In the semifinals, he fought against Abdelaal in a rematch. Rodrn had a lead in the scores throughout the game, winning the first round ahead of 3:0, scoring two more points in the second and three in the third. Abdelaal was only allowed to score once in the second round, giving a final score of 11:1. DJ Maaki of Nauru was the other boxer to advance. Rodrès led the final fight well ahead of 9:1 in the first round, scoring thrice in the second and thrice in the third before the referee called the game in his favor at 1:34 p.m. This was Puerto Rico's first Olympic gold medal, despite the fact that it was won by a boxer in the national team's first participation in the competition, mirrors Juan Evangelista Venegas's win in bronze in the delegation's debut at the 1948 Summer Olympics. Rodrez returned to the tropic island five days later, receiving citations from the COPUR and municipal government of Vega Baja for his work. A request for inclusion in the High Performance Full-Time Athlete Program was submitted by the government in the third stage, citing an exception to the original rule, which was intended to include medalists from the Pan American Games, World Championships, or senior Olympics.

Rodrn was involved in an accident on November 12, 2010 where a pickup truck was partially destroyed. He and a companion were burned at a hospital in Vega Baja first, before being transferred to Centro Médico's specialized burn care unit, where they were put in preventive intubation to relieve the strain on his lungs. Rodro suffered second degree burns in about 66% of his body, with the bulk of the injury being concentrated in his back and legs. Rodrez was turned down from a scheduled dual due to the tragedy, but he was kept one of the recipients of a COPUR grant. He was already training two to three days per week by late December, although he was enrolled in the burn unit and still wearing bandages around one of his arms and both legs. Orlando Rodrón, his manager, said it was the first time he had worked with a pugilist while recovering in a hospital. As a result, a special regime was able to focus on his footwork, speed, and endurance, as well as other common tasks such as shadow boxing and pads. Rodrez said in his first interview since the incident, that he intends to concentrate on his work and education from that point onwards, breaking off any negative influence. The possibility of infection was dismissed by the medical staff, who encouraged increased contact with external products, including haircutting scissors, the following week. On being announced, the initial intention was to participate in the 2011 Pan American Games' qualification, but Enrique Amy, the chief doctor of the COPUR's Anti-Doping Commission, released a critical report. The recommendation was followed by the amateur boxing association. Rodrs recovery, on the other hand, required surgery to prevent reinjuring or infecting the scar tissue in his left arm.

Rodrz made his official in-ring return at the V Copa "Cholo" Espada on September 14, 2011, competing within the super flyweight division. He went on to dominate the tournament, winning his first two games after the incident with scores of 12:2 and RSC-3. Rodrpez won the flyweight national championship on December 17, 2011, defeating Juan Carlos López in the tournament finals, 19:3. In the semifinals, he had earlier defeated Michael del Valle (18:4). Rodrez qualified for the Olympic national boxing team in 2012 in Torneo de Boxeo Aficionado Isaac Barrientos. He progressed to the semifinals but lost by a single point to 17-year-old Jeyvier Cintrón, mirroring his own deposition of González. Rodrez entered Copa Independence in the Dominican Republic but lost his match against Eddie Valenzuela due to injury (RSCI). Cintrón went on to win the bronze medal in this tournament. On April 7, 2012, Cintrón defeated Rodrón by a huge margin of 10:3. Since he was unable to complete the Olympic cycle, he decided to end his amateur career and join the ranks. Rodrez trained for two months to adapt and adapt to the change in styles.

Professional career

Rodrez turned pro on June 1, 2012 in the undercard of a Puerto Rico Best Boxing tournament, in which he beat Jason Agosto by knocking out in the first round. He defeated Jaime González by a technological knockout in two rounds in his second appearance. Rodrez continued to play in the undercard of other boxers, defeating Luis Ortiz and José Ruiz in consecutive knockouts. In a brawl that was contested in the bantamweight limit of 118 pounds, his first decision victory was over Ramón Emilio Ceda. Rodrez retaliated in a card held in the Dominican Republic against Edward Vargas' violence, winning a third-round technical knockout. He defeated Felipe Rivas by unanimous decision in José Pedraza's undercard. Rodrs winning by a majority vote over former world champion David Quijano on December 21, 2013. Rodrnez received a unanimous verdict over Félix Pérez on April 5, 2014, a first.

On October 18, 2014, Rodrvez met Miguel Cartagena for the vacant WBO Latino bantamweight title at the Cosme Beitia Sálamo Coliseum in Cata, Puerto Rico. He was able to win the match by a first-round knockout, defeating Cartagena at the midway point of the round. On February 21, 2015, Rodrn made his first defense of his secondary WBO title against Gábor Molnár, a tumbling victim. He won the contest by a second-round technical knockout. Rodr knocked Molnár twice in each round, twice in each round, before referee Roberto Ramirez Sr waved the game off. On May 30, 2015, Rodrs second title defense against Luis Hinojosa was on display at the Cosme Beitia Sálamo Coliseum in Cata, Puerto Rico. He won the fight by a third-round knockout, flooring Hinojosa in a right straight.

On August 22, 2015, Rodre defeated Alex Rangel for the vacant WBA Fedelatin and WBC interim Latino bantamweight titles. He won the fight by a seventh-round knockout. On November 25, 2015, he appeared in his first defense of his newly won titles against Eliecer Aquino. He defeated the opponent by a seventh-round technical knockout. Rodrez participated in two non-title matches after winning his first title defenses. He first won a unanimous decision against Alberto Guevara on June 3, 2016, before defeating Robinson Lavianza on March 25, 2017. On August 5, 2017, Rodrez launched his second WBC Latino bantamweight title defense against Giovanni Delgado. Delgado had to withdraw from the tournament at the end of the fourth round.

Butler was due to face former IBF bantamweight champion Paul Butler for the vacant IBF bantamweight title on May 5, 2018, at The O2 Arena, under the Tony Bellew and David Haye cruiserweight rematch. Butler gained weight before the fight, which left him ineligible to win the vacant belt. He weighed in at 121.5 pounds, 3.5 pounds over the championship record. Butler also refused to weigh himself in a second attempt. Rodr's was voted by a majority unanimous vote in a 118-108, 120-106, 120-106 scores. In the first minute of the first round, Butler was knocked down twice. Rodrn dropped Butler down with a left hook and then dropped him with a flurry of punches shortly after the game restarted. Butler was able to complete the round but did not do well in the remaining 11 rounds.

Rodrez competed in the second season of the World Boxing Super Series, the quarterfinals of which took place in October 2018 and November 2019, focusing on the bantamweight division. In the tournament quarterfinals, held at the Addition Financial Arena in Orlando, Florida, Jason Moloney faced the IBF's mandatory bantamweight title challenger Jason Moloney. He won the fight by a split decision. Rodró scored 115-113, while Moloney's third judge gave Moloney the same scorecard.

Rodre reached the semifinals of the tournament, where he met Naoya Inoue, who was undefeated. Their match was scheduled for May 18, 2019, and it took place at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland. The Ring Magazine revealed on May that their vacant bantamweight crown would be on the line. Zolani Tete, the WBO champion who had been ranked #2 with The Ring at the time, had to withdraw from the tournament due to injury. Doug Fischer, editor-in-Chief, outlined with Inoue and Rodrez ranked #1 and #3 respectively, as both had earned their positions in the rankings. Inoue defeated Inoue by a second-round knockout. Rodrt was first knocked down with a left hook to the chin before being dropped once more with a body shot. Despite being able to jump off the canvas for the second time, Inoue managed to knock Rodr3 down in his third round knockdown, which prompted referee Michael Alexander to call the game off.

Rodrón met Reymart Gaballo for the vacant WBC interim bantamweight title, with the winner of the match expected to face veteran world champion Nonito Donaire in the future. The title bout was scheduled for December 19, 2020, and it was held at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Montville, Connecticut. Rodrs came out as a marginal -135 to -170 favorite to win, but some analysts expected a Gaballo victory. Rodrez lost by a tumultuous split decision, with judge David Sutherland scoring the match 118-110 for Rodrez, while judges Don Trella and John McKaie scoring it 116-112 and 115-113 respectively. Rodrs dissatisfaction with the fight's result, stating: "It was a good fight, but he only won about two or three rounds... Everyone knows we won." The overwhelming number of journalists supported Rodrez's campaign. Rodrón's staff announced their intention to appeal the decision immediately after the fight. Despite the fact that the WBC had ordered a rematch for the interim title, no one seemed concerned as the WBC later approved the Gaballo - Donaire world championship match.

On August 14, 2021, Rodrevich met with the undefeated Gary Antonio Russell at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. Rodrez came in as a marginal +155 underdog in the Showtime television competition. The bout ended without a winner, but referee Sharon Sands declared the contest a no contest after only 16 seconds. A accidental clash of heads opened a cut on Rodro's nose's bridge, which left him unable to continue fighting. Russell was credited with one punch delivered, and Rodrez was left with zero. Both fighters expressed their desire for a match later in the game.

In the main event of the "Estilo Mexicano Box" card, Rodr encountered the one-time WBC International and FECARBOX champion Roberto Sanchez Cantu, who died in Culiacán, Mexico. In the last minute of the first round, he made quick work of his opponent, blocking him by physical injury. Rodro screamed Cantu right off the ground at the 2:22 minute mark before screaming at his corner to throw in the towel at the 2:22 minute mark.

On October 15, 2022, Rodrez met with undefeated Gary Antonio Russell at the Barclays Center in New York City, New York. The bout was set to take place on the Deontay Wilder and Robert Helenius Fox Sports pay per view undercard and was a rematch of their August 14, 2021 match, which resulted in no contest after just 16 seconds. It also served as a WBA and IBF bantamweight champion eliminator. He won the contest by a tenth-round technical decision, with scores of 100–90, 99–91, and 99–93. On the advice of the ringside physician, Rodr's game was halted two seconds into the tenth round because of a headbutt clash he suffered in the previous round. Rodrn was dealt with another foul in the eight round as Russell struck him below the beltline. Rodr wilfully miss the fight's sole knockdown, with just seconds left to spare, flooring his opponent with a counter right.

Source