Erislandy Lara proved too much for longtime veteran Delvin Rodriguez (28-8-4, 16 KOs), losing a unanimous decision to the WBA super welterweight titlist Lara (21-2-2, 12 KOs) on Friday night in Chicago at the UIC Pavilion. Spike TV televised on the Premier Boxing Championship Series.
All three judges – Bill Lerch, Steve Weisfeld, and Robert Hoyle – scored the fight 120-107 to give Lara the decision in the Windy City.
“It didn’t feel very comfortable in the ring tonight. He was sharp and giving me lots of weird angles to work with,” said Rodriguez. “He was always looking to land his left. He caught me once to the body though and that took three or four rounds to shake off.
A fan favorite on ESPN’s “Friday Night Fights, Rodriquez was pleased to be a part of the PBC telecast.
The 35-year-old Rodriquez left the door open for a return to the ring despite the rigors of a 40-fight career. “It’s hard to say what’s next right now,” said Rodriguez. There are still some great fights for me. Just because I lost to a skilled, technical fighter like Lara doesn’t mean there aren’t great fights left for me.”
Along with Lara, Rodriguez has faced off against such champions as Miguel Cotto and Austin Trout, while notching victories against top-caliber fighters like Mike Arnaoutis, Shamone Alvarez and Pawel Wolak.
