The junior welterweight division has become a hotspot for boxing fans, with fighters like Teofimo Lopez, Richarson Hitchins, Alberto Puello, and Gary Antuanne Russell keeping the fire lit.
Among the rising contenders is 29-year-old Elvis “The Dominican Kid” Rodriguez, who is on the brink of a world title challenge. This Saturday in Las Vegas, NV, Rodriguez faces undefeated contender Lindolfo Delgado (22-0, 16 KOs) in a high stakes matchup. The bout, serving as the co-main to Richard Torrez Jr. vs. Guido Vianello, will be broadcast live on ESPN+. For Rodriguez, this fight is pivotal—not only does victory bring him closer to a world title, but it also marks a critical chapter in his second stint with promoter Top Rank.
“It Was All Good Just A Week Ago”
Only six years ago, Rodriguez (17-1-1, 13 KOs), hailing from Santo Domingo, D.R., signed with Top Rank as a highly regarded prospect. I vividly recall his debut fight under the promotion (the second of his career) in April 2019, which took place at the Staples Center—now Crypto.com Arena—in Los Angeles, CA. The bout followed the main event of Vasiliy Lomachenko vs. Anthony Crolla, making it a memorable introduction for Rodriguez on a grand stage.
Top Rank’s Bob Arum was hosting a media scrum ringside after Loma’s fourth-round knockout, while Rodriguez’s fight unfolded in the background. I remember being pleasantly distracted by Rodriguez’s performance, even to the point of skipping the chance to ask Arum a question. Rodriguez delivered a devastating second-round knockout that drew a loud reaction from the crowd. For a moment, even Arum glanced back to see what had caused the commotion in the ring. That fight stayed with me, and it was the beginning of an easy path to following Rodriguez’s career as he racked up one stoppage victory after another.
Rodriguez seemed destined for greatness, but in May 2021, he suffered a majority decision loss to Kenneth Sims Jr., a setback that led to Top Rank releasing him. Shortly after, Rodriguez found a new home with another promoter, and debuted under the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) banner in November of the same year. He made a strong impression with a fifth-round knockout over Juan Pablo Romero. However, his stint with PBC mirrored his stay with Top Rank, lasting only two years. Following his July 2023 bout with Viktor Postol, Rodriguez once again found himself without promotional backing.
Ten months later, Rodriguez signed a new promotional contract with Top Rank. From an outsider’s perspective, Rodriguez’s career has been a rollercoaster—an unpredictable journey he’s never really discussed, until now.
“Boxing is a very difficult sport,” said Rodriguez. “Just like anything in life, it has its highs and lows. Thank God I never allowed the lows to get the best of me. With a lot of perseverance, we are here and ready to go for this fight.”
“Thank God everything has been great,” Rodriguez stated, regarding his second run with Top Rank. “They have kept me active, which I like, and now they have put me in this important fight, and we are ready for it.”
Rodriguez & Freddie Roach Equals Title Shot?
Rodriguez and legendary trainer Freddie Roach have worked together since the start of his career. While language barriers initially caused challenges to their connection, communication has greatly improved over time. This progress has fostered a strong sense of comfort and trust between the fighter and his trainer.
Training out of Roach’s Wild Card Boxing Gym in Los Angeles, Rodriguez is brimming with confidence and eager to showcase it on April 5 in Las Vegas. “Everything has been great,” Rodriguez told FightsATW. “I’ve been focused in training camp and ready for my upcoming fight.” He continued, “These days, we get along much better because of the time we have spent getting to know each other. Everyone at the gym knows me, so I feel much more comfortable.”
Rodriguez will need to carry that confidence into the ring on Saturday as he takes on the undefeated Delgado, whose drive for greatness matches his own. With a clear understanding of the sacrifices and hard work that have brought him to this moment, Rodriguez is determined to make a statement. “The preparation of this fight has been great as we are taking it very seriously. I don’t feel any pressure, as my main focus is to win. I’m going to just win and show everyone the great work that was done while in training camp.”
After Saturday’s fight, Rodriguez has thought about how fans might react to his victory. “Damn, he’s still here. This problem is still here. (laughs)” Rodriguez joked. Turning serious, he added, “Winning this fight will open many doors.” Indeed it would. With Rodriguez entering as a slight betting underdog in this fight, the pressure will be on him to prove that Top Rank made the right decision in bringing him back for a second run as he pushes toward his dream of becoming a world champion.
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