Jesse Rodriguez: “The Sky Is The Limit For Me; Anybody, Anywhere.”

By Sean Crose

“This battle goes to be thrilling,” WBO flyweight titlist Jesse Rodriguez says on the eve his bout this Saturday in opposition to undefeated IBF flyweight champion Sunny Edwards. “The sky is the restrict for me; anyone, wherever. He’s (Edwards is) an excellent fighter, very technical, very skillful, quick, good. I knew sooner or later down the road we might meet up and right here it’s. He hasn’t been in with somebody with the abilities I’ve, and with the ability on prime of that. I don’t care what it takes, I’m going to win, I’m taking his belt, and I’m taking his ‘0’. I’m going to knock him out.”

Edwards, in fact, has different concepts, however the 18-0 Rodriguez seems to be brimming with confidence. “I wish to be remembered as a legend,” says the 23 12 months outdated, “as a fighter that by no means dodged a battle. I’m right here for an excellent time, not a very long time. I really feel like I’ve what it takes to not solely drop him however to complete the battle early.” Positive sufficient, Rodriguez went out of his technique to make his coaching camp all it may very well be.  “I made a decision to get an AirBnB for this battle and separate myself from the camp home,” he says. “There’s quite a bit on the road, so I needed to be as snug as potential, so little issues like that play a giant half in coaching camp.”

For Rodriguez, ring success can lengthen properly past the ring. “I do that to myself as a result of I wish to have a greater life,” he says. “I’ve a daughter on the best way, I wish to present the whole lot she ever wants. I’m much more motivated, daily I take into consideration my daughter. I wish to present the whole lot for her, so I’m going additional onerous, tougher than I ever have earlier than. What does it take to be the very best? It’s onerous work, dedication, sacrifice, coronary heart and quite a lot of will.”

A product of Glendale, Arizona, Rodriguez is blissful that Saturday’s bout in opposition to England’s Edwards will probably be taking place in San Antonio, Texas. “In San Antonio, they deal with me like a king,” he says. “I’m going into eating places and get free meals and free coffees within the espresso retailers.” Rodriguez can be proud of being a world champion. “I used to be residing at dwelling earlier than (profitable) the world title battle,” he states, “however after profitable the title I acquired my very own condominium and began residing alone. Life has been superb since then.”

Though he’s savored the fruits of success, Rodriguez is aware of it will possibly all be taken away from him if he loses to Edward this weekend. He additionally is aware of that, ought to he win, he’ll have one other world title in his posession. “I’ve the largest battle of my life arising,” he says, “and I exploit that feeling (of profitable a world title) as motivation as a result of I do know profitable this one could be ten instances what I felt again then.”