Worcester’s Edwin Rodriguez Dominates on HBO’s Boxing After Dark

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Sunday, September 30, 2012

Dan McGowan, GoLocal Sports Contributor

Worcester’s Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez says he’s ready for primetime and on Saturday night, he showed why.

The unbeaten Super Middleweight (22-0, 15 knockouts) dominated the previously undefeated Jason Escalera (13-1-1) to retain his USBA Super Middleweight title in the main event of HBO’s Boxing After Dark from Foxwoods Casino.

Escalera nearly went down in the opening round, but managed to survive until the eighth round when Rodriguez landed a left hook to the ear that led referee Steve Smoger to stop the fight. Rodriguez said he was a hoping to make a statement with the victory.

“I feel like I’m ready,” Rodriguez said during a post-fight interview. “Today I wanted to send a message and I believe I did. I’m ready. I’m ready now.”

The 27-year-old rising star, who rehydrated to 186 pounds after Friday’s weigh-in, also called out former Middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik (40-2) and said he would be willing to move up in weight classes to fight former Light Heavyweight champion Jean Pascal.

“We want Kelly Pavlik,” he said. “I’m ready.”

Fight Notes:

The last time Rodriguez had a fight stopped was in August 2011 at Mechanics Hall when he needed just two rounds to dispose of Chris Traietti. His last two victories had come by way of decision… Escalera had only fought past the fourth round once in his career before Saturday’s fight… The New Jersey native lost his mouthpiece three times during the fight after getting rocked by Rodriguez.

Photo credit: http://www.notifight.com

Dan McGowan can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter: @danmcgowan.