Peek Into The Future: Julian Rodriguez

0
2539

The journey began for prospect Julian Rodriguez at Joe Grier Boxing Academy in Paterson, NJ. His current step in this boxing journey is set for December 7th in Atlantic City in the smaller room at Boardwalk Hall on the untelevised portion of the HBO Card headlined by Guillermo Rigondeaux and Joseph Agbeko where he’ll be taking on Victor Galindo at 141 lbs.

But who is Julian Rodriguez? Coming from Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, the young amateur standout has won multiple national championships and the esteemed National Golden Gloves this past May. He was a 2012 Olympic alternate in the Jr. Welterweight Division. He recently made his debut under the Top Rank Banner who signed the prospect and scored a first round knockout on the September 28th Unimas Card. Co-Managed by Pat Lynch, the late Arturo Gatti and football legend Bill Parcells, boxing is more than a sport to Rodriguez.

“It’s all I know. I’ve been boxing since I was 7 years old. It’s not even a sport at this point, it a lifestyle. Everything in me is what brought me to sport,” Rodriguez told ThaBoxingVoice.com.

Admittedly it was the viciousness of the sport that got Julian interested in it but once in it, he wanted to sharpen his craft.

“When I was younger I used to like Joe Frazier, he would come in and throw hooks to the body. As I got older I started working on my craft, so I started studying Salvador Sanchez.  I consider myself a boxer puncher. I can box when I need to, I can walk you down if I have to. I’m real diverse,” explained Rodriguez.

Rodriguez says his focus is unparallel because of what he brings to the table and because he has a strong team backing him.

“Being with Top Rank, It feel good, it also makes you feel secure. It’s a dirty business, so the fact that I have the biggest and the best promotional company makes me secure and lets me focus on my training and my fighting,” stated Rodriguez. Top Rank is known for moving prospects up the right way and turning them into stars and that’s what prompted the Rodriguez to sign.” It’s nice. They’re (Top Rank)  good at what they do They’re shooting a lot of different paths, but I’m still young, I don’t know how fast they’re going to move but my trust is in them.”

On the same card his close friend Glen Tapia will be making his HBO debut when he takes on his toughest fighter to date in James Kirkland. Being that Atlantic City is a short drive from North Jersey, the success of both fighters might equal a nice home crowd in the Garden State and build a bigger fan base.

“I was with him (Tapia) since the amateurs; he’s a very tough guy. We’re like brothers,  we push each other. We don’t let each other slip. We’re much alike.  I think I can make AC my base like Glen could. A lot of Glen’s fans are my fans too, so I feel we can build it together and sell Boardwalk Hall like Arturo Gatti.

First things first, both need to handle their business December 7th. For Rodriguez he wants to show the fans in attendance why they should look for him and why he was signed by Top Rank after winning the National Golden Gloves Tournament.

“I just want to show everyone I’m a mature fighter. I’m trying to show I’m seasoned as a fighter even though I only have one fight, I think Top Rank saw that and that’s why they signed me.”