When Edwin Rodriguez (22-0, 15KO’s) steps into the ring in the opening round of the upcoming coveted “Monte-Carlo Million Dollar Super 4” Tournament in Monaco on March 30 against Olympian Ezequiel Osvaldo Maderna (19-0, 13KO’s), he will be looking to take a major step toward fulfilling his ultimate goal of becoming a world champion.
Rodriguez, the IBF #3, WBC #3, WBA #3, WBO #12 and Ring Magazine #10-rated super middleweight in the world, is considered by many to be the favorite in the tournament. Winning the tournament carries a 60% split of the $1,000,000 grand prize, as well as practically securing a world title shot for the Dominican-born Rodriguez. If you ask the always-colorful Rodriguez, though, the real champions in his family are his two six-year-old twins, Edwin Jr. and Serena.
The story of Edwin and his wife Stephanie’s family since the twins were born severely premature more than six years ago has been well-documented during Edwin’s climb up the professional ranks. Numerous articles have been written and television networks ESPN, Showtime and HBO have all commented on it during Edwin’s fights. But when Edwin and his family sat down with esteemed boxing writer Ron Borges for a piece the esteemed reporter was planning on doing for the upcoming April issue of The Ring Magazine, no one could have expected the outcome. What transcribed was a mammoth 10-page feature spread, one of the longest articles ever published in the historic magazine’s existence.
“I am honored and humbled that The Ring Magazine thought enough of my family’s story to dedicate so many pages to it,” said Rodriguez. “It’s great that this article is bringing awareness to premature births, autism and C.P.”
“Ron Borges did a fantastic job in this extensive profile of Edwin and his family,” stated Rodriguez’ long-time promoter Lou DiBella. I urge everyone to read it, and truly understand just what Edwin is fighting for.”
“I was fortunate to meet Edwin at the recent WBC convention. We struck up an immediate rapport. I’ve long admired him as a fighter, but his humility and warmth are even more impressive. He’s a real rolemodel, a pleasure to deal with and deserves to go far. He’s definitely among the new wave of boxers to be on the look out for. The Monte Carlo Million Dollar Super 4 will be the ideal opportunity for him to showcase his skills,” said Rodney Berman, President of Golden Gloves, LTD; promoter of the Super 4 Tournament.
“Edwin’s story is a story of regular people doing extraordinary things,” said Rodriguez’ manager Larry Army. “In a sport where so many people are interested on the negative stories of fighters, it’s refreshing to see such a great and historical magazine focusing on such a positive story.”
“Super middleweight contender Edwin Rodriquez is one of the world’s best boxers but his two young children are the real fighters in his family. Their 122-day fight for life is a champion’s story, just as their father hopes one day his story will be,” said Borges.
