Manny Rodriguez Promises to Impress Against Melvin Lopez
On August 12, former IBF bantamweight champion Emmanuel “Manny” Rodriguez (21-2, 13KO) will take on Melvin “Melo” Lopez (29-1, 19KO) for the vacant IBF bantamweight title. Manny claims that boxing fans will see something spectacular in this fight.
Rodriguez earned this world title shot with a ten-round technical decision win in a rematch against Gary Antonio Russell in October 2022 in what was a WBA and IBF bantamweight world title eliminator. It was a fight that Rodriguez dominated before the action was stopped in the tenth when he could not continue after suffering an accidental headbutt.
Rodriguez has gone the extra mile during his preparation for Lopez. He left the confines of his home country of Puerto Rico to train in Mexico. Speaking with YSM Sports Media, the 31-year-old said he will take his game to an even higher level in this upcoming fight world title clash.
“I believe that [training in] Mexico has been good for me. There is no doubt. If you think I looked good the last time, I’m going to show you something spectacular this time.”
CLIMBING BACK TO THE TOP
When Rodriguez previously held the IBF belt, some observers viewed him as a budding force at 118. But his world came tumbling down after getting stopped in two rounds in a unification contest with then-WBA champion Naoya Inoue in May 2019.
It’s been a long road back for Manny. But he is now just one fight away from winning another world title. He faces Lopez, who is on an eight-fight winning streak and determined to leave the ring with the IBF strap around his waist. But Manny is the embodiment of focus. He is confident that he will have his hand raised in victory and has a clear path to his ultimate goal.
“Unify, that’s my goal. That’s my object, and after that, I want to be able to become undisputed and have all four belts.”
Rodriguez is a fighter with a clear vision of what he wants. He has big plans for himself and hopes the path to becoming the top dog at 118 begins with a win over Lopez.
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